A team of Australian researchers have warned that global warming could significantly increase the price of a pint of beer - and even change the taste too.

They believe that rising temperatures would lead to frequent droughts in regions that grow barley, a key ingredient in beer.

It would automatically shoot up the price.

To avoid this, researchers from University of Queensland are working on drought-proof barley to preserve the taste and price of a pint of beer, a report in Brisbane Times said.

"We have identified 'stay-green' characteristics in types of barley that were first spotted in another grain called sorghum which grows in hot places," researcher Peter Gous was quoted as saying.

The 'stay-green' set of genes could be bred into grains to help them deal with drought and maintain their starch structure for good taste, said the study published in Journal of Cereal Science.

This could benefit brewers who want the grain to have quality starch to maintain a consistent flavour, the study noted.