Malt produced at small malthouses is typically handcrafted, including the manual raking of malt to ensure it does not clump as the barley germinates.

When the Craft Maltsters Guild was established in 2013, it started with just eight member malthouses. As of now, the Guild includes 110 member malthouses located predominantly in North America, with additional members worldwide. There are also numerous other small malthouses not yet affiliated with the Guild.

Over the past decade since its inception, the craft malt industry has notably evolved into a significant sector.

“The surge in craft malt popularity directly correlates with the expansion of craft breweries and craft distilleries,” stated Steve Kurowski, the executive director of the Guild, during a phone interview. “These small-scale breweries and distilleries often prefer not to engage with larger malt suppliers. They have grown by encouraging their patrons to support local enterprises, and they, in turn, choose to support neighborhood businesses. This includes partnering with craft maltsters who are attentive and adaptive to their client’s needs.”

The rise of small maltsters, purchasing raw grains such as barley, wheat, rye, corn, and other varieties from nearby farmers, extends its benefits beyond just the local beer and spirits production. These smaller maltsters produce malt in much smaller batches compared to large-scale malthouses, enabling them to buy grains from small-scale, local farmers. This practice diminishes the reliance on monocropping and enhances diverse crop rotations, which are crucial for maintaining healthy soil across all types of crops, not only those used for brewing.

Contrastingly, large malthouses demand vast amounts of raw grains that need to be as uniform as possible, sourcing only a few varieties from limited American regions. For instance, barley typically comes from Midwest states, focusing on two or three specific varieties. On the other hand, small malthouses have the flexibility to source grains from other regions stretching from New York to California, adapting to local soil conditions and climates which differ from the Midwest. This regional and varietal diversity in agriculture helps safeguard against diseases and pests, contributing to the overall health and sustainability of the industry.

Moreover, the proliferation of small maltsters encourages more farmers to incorporate malting barley into their crop rotations, thus potentially boosting their incomes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that most farms are not profitable, allowing farmers to produce higher-value crops may represent a financial remedy. Promoting relationships with local farms, as noted by Kurowski, small maltsters not only reduce monoculture but also foster sustainable farming practices and a stronger community connection. Diversifying crop rotations is broadly recognized as beneficial for the soil since different crops have varied nutrient impacts.

Craft Malt Month, an initiative of the Craft Maltsters Guild, runs from September 1 to 30.

September is Craft Malt Month, an initiative of the Craft Maltsters Guild to promote the work of the Guild and bring attention to the work of small malthouses and small farmers.

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