Funny you should bring this up. We just had a lunch with our congressman today at work. I work for a national pizza chain and not only has the price of cheese double but wheat (flour) has tripled. It due to two things. There are a couple of rouge traders manipulating the market and there is no limit to how much wheat can be exported. Since the U.S. dollar is weak right now, most of our grain is being exported.
Do not think that pizza is the only thing that will be affected. Soon the price of a loaf of bread could go to $4. Higher prices on pasta, milk, cheese, bread, and anything with wheat will be hitting your grocery stores very soon. When I talked to the head miller at General Mills to discuss possible grain mixing to reduce flour costs, he told me that there wasn't any grains available. Not that it was high priced, it's just not there.
It is a sad day for America when we will not be able to feed our own due to grain shortages. I urge everyone to do their own research and email their congressmen and senators and encourage them to put a cap on exports.
Yes, the grain shortage will put a damper on brewing but it will also put a huge damper on feeding your family.