Craft Maltsters Guild Announces 2024 Malt Cup Winners In MaltCon2024 Recap
The Craft Maltsters Guild had another successful MaltCon in 2024, with more 150 individuals from 10 countries participating both in person and virtually.
DAVIS, CA – The Craft Malt Conference (aka MaltCon) took place at the University of California Davis in February. Organized by the Craft Maltsters Guild, the conference serves to gather stakeholders and grow the market for regional, artisanally-produced malted grain in geographies around North America and beyond. The Craft Maltsters Guild is pleased to report on its international attendance, six scholarship recipients, host of Malt Cup winners, and the recipient of the Soles of Malt award.
The conference itself consisted of two days of networking and technical sessions with some of the industry’s leading experts. Pre-conference events included a four-day Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production; a day of malt quality judging for the Malt Cup; and a welcome reception at Admiral Maltings in Alameda, where participants could tour a production-scale floor malting operation while sampling dozens of beverages made with craft malt from around the United States.
More than 150 individuals from 11 countries participated in this year’s conference across virtual and in-person formats. Of those, more than 120 attendees traveled from North America, Europe, and Asia to participate in the in-person programming
Approximately one third of MaltCon2024 participants represented malting operations. Brewery and distillery producers comprised about 9 percent of attendees. The remaining participants were university researchers, professors, sponsors and other allied trade professionals, and members of the media. Six farm operators were in attendance.
Six scholarship recipients participated in this year’s conference: Don Tse, Lee Dongwook & Katherine Olson (shared), Angelo Ruiz, Rodney Zinyemba, and LaShanda Poteat. Meet the 2024 scholars here.
2024 MALT CUP
The Craft Maltsters Guild’s Malt Cup remains the world’s only malt quality competition, inviting maltsters of all shapes and sizes to compete for the best malt in various common categories. This year’s Malt Cup expanded to six categories: Caramel, Light Munich, Pale Malt, Pilsen, Vienna, and Wheat. Entries in these categories came from 26 malthouses in five countries. Malt Cup entries were scored in three rounds by 70 judges, a process facilitated by the Montana State University Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, and DraughtLab.
Congratulations to Hogarth Malt, named Best in Show in the 2024 competition, who took the coveted traveling Malt Cup home with them to Alberta, Canada.
Here are the medal-winning malthouses by category:
Pilsen
Gold – Hogarth Malt - Olds, Alberta
Silver – Blue Ox Malthouse - Lisbon Falls, Maine
Bronze – 3D Malt - Camrose, Alberta
Pale Malt
Gold – Malteria Italiana Artigianale - Perugia, Italy
Silver – Field Five Farm - Saanichton, BC
Bronze – Root Shoot Malting - Loveland, Colorado
Vienna
Gold – 3D Malt
Silver – Murmuration Malts - Bloomfield, New York
Bronze – Admiral Maltings - Alameda, California
Light Munich
Gold – Root Shoot Malting
Silver – Hogarth Malt
Bronze – Field Five Farm
Caramel
Gold – Troubadour Maltings -
Silver – Red Shed Malting - Red Deer County, Alberta
Bronze – Blue Ox Malthouse
Wheat
Gold – Root Shoot Malting
Silver – Riverbend Malt House - Asheville, North Carolina
Bronze – LINC Malt - Spokane Valley, WA
Watch the replay of the 2024 Awards Ceremony at maltcon.online.
SOLES OF MALT AWARD
Given annually over the past seven years, The Soles Of Malt award was created in memory of craft maltster William Soles and stands for selfless and philanthropic stewardship of craft malt. Each year, a selection committee considers a wide range of craft malt community members and ultimately must make a tough decision. Congratulations to the 2024 Soles of Malt Award recipient, Dr. Patrick Hayes, Professor Emeritus at Oregon State University, who was nominated by multiple Guild members this year for his work furthering malt education, developing new barley varietals, and establishing the OSU Research Malthouse– among many other milestones in his career. Hayes says he’s been privileged to work with an evolving team of colleagues at Barley World until his retirement in 2023.
SPEAKERS
The Craft Maltsters Guild extends gratitude to the 2024 Craft Malt Conference keynote speakers Dr. Patrick Hayes and Dr. Xiang Yin, Vice President for Corporate Quality and Innovation at the Rahr Corporation in Minnesota; and all of the experts who contributed their insights and research to this year’s programming. Speakers represented various roles in the small grains supply chain and intersecting industries, including barley breeders, farmers, maltsters, brewers, distillers, professors, students, and scientists.
SPONSORS
The Craft Malt Conference is made possible by generous organizations committed to supporting our members with their contributions.
Presenting Partners
Supporting Partners
Laizhou Yingtai Machinery Co., Ltd
Valued Partners
MSU Barley, Malt & Brewing Lab
Community Partner
SPECIAL THANKS
A special thank you is owed to several individuals who contributed substantial volunteer support via the Guild’s Conference Planning Committee: Harmonie Bettenhausen of Hartwick College, Campbell Morrissy of pFriem Family Brewers & Oregon State University, Glen Fox of UC Davis, and Curtis Davenport of Admiral Maltings. Harmonie and Campbell were particularly influential in the development of the conference program. Glen provided key support on behalf of the conference venue. Curtis ensured that conference attendees left feeling inspired about the impact and potential of regional craft malting facilities.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about the Craft Maltsters Guild or the 2024 conference. Media assets are available for download here.
ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD
Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for Craft Maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.
2021 Malt Cup Winners, Soles of Malt Recipient Named During First Virtual Craft Malt Conference Awards Ceremony
Gold Rush Malt was awarded Best of Show and became the first malt house to win two gold medals in a single season.
The Craft Maltsters Guild (CMG) is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2021 Malt Cup, as well as the recipient of the annual Soles of Malt Award. The virtual awards ceremony was broadcasted and streamed live as the finale of the best-attended Craft Malt Conference yet on February 12, for which malt enthusiasts and craft beer lovers tuned in from all over the world.
2021 was the first time CMG hosted the conference virtually, and the first year the guild opened up this one-of-a-kind competition to international malthouses. 28 malthouses from seven countries, 17 states, and one province submitted a total of 46 entries. Altogether, this year’s submissions spanned 29 different malt barley varieties.
The 2021 Malt Cup awards evaluation took place in three phases over two months. Malthouses sent samples to Montana State University's Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab, where researchers conducted quality control analysis to ensure that each entry meets the competing category criteria. The qualifying samples then underwent hot steep sensory evaluation at 17 different judging locations across the United States and Canada. Judges reported sensory data such as aroma, flavor, and aroma via DraughtLab, a sensory software. The DraughtLab team is an on-going partner in the competition.
In the final round, additional judge panels evaluated the top malts in each category to determine the top winners. Judges examined both the certificate of analysis for each malt and conducted further hot steep sensory evaluation to make decisions about the world’s best craft malt. In total, 83 judges worked together to determine the following winners:
PILSEN MALT
Gold - Gold Rush Malt (Baker City, OR, USA)
Silver - Malteria Italiana Artigianale (Gualdo Cattaneo, PG, Italy)
Bronze - Admiral Maltings (Alameda, CA, USA)
PALE MALT
Gold - Gold Rush Malt (Baker City, OR, USA)
Silver - Troubadour Maltings (Fort Collins, CO, USA)
Bronze - Root Shoot Malting (Loveland, CO, USA)
2021 MALT CUP WINNER
Gold Rush Malt was awarded Best of Show and became the first malt house to win two gold medals in a single season.
SOLES OF MALT AWARD
The Soles of Malt Award is an award that honors individuals who stand out for their leadership, selflessness, and philanthropic stewardship of craft malt. The award is named in memory of William Soles, co-founder of Grouse Malt House. The recipient of the 2021 Soles of Malt Award is Paul Schwarz, professor of Malting Barley Quality in the Department of Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND.
“Paul has taught many students now employed in the malting, brewing, and food science industries, especially in craft malting about crop diseases, beer gushing, and malt quality analysis,” says Dave Thomas, Brewer Emeritus at Dostal Alley Brewery. “I have personally witnessed Paul's uncanny ability to spot the variety, quality, and stage of development or diseases in cereal grain fields from the window of a moving car at 60mph on a backcountry road!"
“Agricultural contributions like Schwarz’s and exceptional final products from Malt Cup winners continue to elevate craft malt as a critical value add for craft brewers and distillers across the globe,” says Jesse Bussard, CMG Executive Director. “In turn, they help to establish the importance of flavor, sustainable supply chains, and engaged communities in the beverage industry and beyond.”
#CRAFTMALTCON2021
This year’s virtual format via Crowdsource allowed for 265 total attendees and 30 speakers from six continents, 15 countries, and 36 United States to tap into the most accessible craft malt education in the world.
CMG extends congratulations to all of the 2021 winners and gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, and participants.
To learn more about these prestigious awards programs or the North American Craft Maltsters Guild, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD
Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for craft maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.
Craft Maltsters Guild Announces Newly Elected and Returning Board Members
The Craft Maltsters Guild (CMG) is thrilled to announce the new election of the largest and most diversely talented Board of Directors yet, just in time for the annual gathering of its community at the virtual 2021 Craft Malt Conference.
BOZEMAN, MT— The Craft Maltsters Guild (CMG) is thrilled to announce the new election of the largest and most diversely talented Board of Directors yet, just in time for the annual gathering of its community at the virtual 2021 Craft Malt Conference.
The CMG Board of Directors is a group of individuals dedicated to holding craft malting to the highest standards, responsible for the general administration of the association’s activities and creating policy on behalf of the Guild. Members of the board of directors are elected by malthouse members of the Guild and will serve a three-year term.
This year, the Craft Maltsters Guild will welcome back three existing members and welcome five new members to the Board of Directors.
Introducing the 2021 class of CMG board members:
(* Indicates new to the board in 2021)
Member Malthouse Seats
Hillary Barile. Returning for a second term, Barile is the Secretary of the Guild and an existing member of the board. Barile is a farmer, maltster, and partner at Rabbit Hill Farm. She brings a big-picture lens to the translation of agriculture to the consumer with her commodity farming background and breadth of leadership experience.
Jeff Malkiewicz. Co-Founder of Great Lakes Malting Co., Malkiewicz is returning as Guild Treasurer for a second term. He continues to oversee membership growth and technical initiatives.
*Curtis Davenport. Prior to co-founding Admiral Maltings, Davenport grew organic fruits, vegetables, barley, and wheat in Santa Barbara County, CA. He began floor malting inside a converted shipping container in 2013 and has been a member of the Craft Maltsters Guild ever since.
*Matt Enns. Founder of Maker's Malts, Enns wears many hats in barley research and education, including leadership roles at the Saskatchewan Barley Board, Brewing and Malting Barley Research Institute, Canadian Malting Barley Technical Center, and the Prairie Grain Development Committee.
Allied Trade Seats
*Branch Rothschild. As Brewhouse Manager at Allagash Brewing Co. and long-time member of the Master Brewers Association of America (MBAA), Rothschild’s role in the craft beer community has become increasingly centered around the production of barley.
Hannah Turner. Another returning Board of Director’s seat, Turner is the Director of the Montana State University Barley, Malt, & Brewery Quality Lab that works to improve barley of all kinds and offers barley and malt testing for farmers and craft maltsters.
Individual Seats
* Ryan Hamilton, is the Executive Director of the Michigan Barely Association and a Professional Aide for Malting Barley Outreach at Michigan State University. Hamilton has a rich background and connections in research and academia and brings a valuable perspective on building sustainable barley value chains.
*Jason Parker. Co-Founder and President at Copperworks Distilling Co., Parker is a founding member of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission with a long history of brewing and distilling.
“We’re excited about the fresh, new perspectives the incoming class of new and returning board members bring to the craft malt community,” says Jesse Bussard, the Executive Director of the CMG. “Their collective experiences and professions span the supply chain from field to glass including not only craft maltsters but two university researchers, a brewer, and a distiller as well.”
Members of the new board will attend and help execute the virtual 2021 Craft Malt Conference February 10 through 12. Registration for this continuing education opportunity closes on Tuesday, February 9.
The Craft Maltsters Guild extends farewell to outgoing board members Twila Soles of Grouse Malt House and Dave Thomas of Dostal Alley Brewery, with gratitude for their service to the craft malt community.
ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD
Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for craft maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com.
Root Shoot Malting Welcomes Craft Malt Conference to Colorado with Collaboration Beers
Root Shoot Malting welcomes craft brewers and maltsters to Colorado for the 2020 Craft Malt Conference.
FORT COLLINS, CO— Root Shoot Malting is excited to welcome craft brewers and maltsters to Colorado for the 2020 Craft Malt Conference to be held in Fort Collins beginning February 7. The Loveland-based maltster has crafted 10 collaboration beers with local breweries and malting companies to celebrate this third annual industry conference, located in Colorado for the first time.
Available both at the conference and at the respective brewing companies, Root Shoot has crafted collaborations with Gilded Goat Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing, Horse & Dragon Brewing, TRVE Brewing, Intersect Brewing, CB & Potts Restaurant & Brewery, Timnath Beerwerks, City Star Brewing, Purpose Brewing & Cellars, and the CSU Ramskeller brewery. These beers were crafted with malt from Root Shoot, Troubadour Maltings, Grouse Malt House, Colorado Malting Company, Riverbend Malthouse, Sugar Creek Malt, Epiphany Malthouse, Red Shed Malting, Gallatin Valley Malt, Admiral Maltings, Maltwerks, and Mecca Grande Estate Malt. Each of these beers was crafted with malt from at least two craft maltsters.
"Our Colorado craft brewers are a large part of the local community, and we found it fitting to involve malthouses from across the country in celebrating another year of craft malt evolution,” says Todd Olander of Root Shoot Malting. “Our Root Shoot Malting team makes a large effort to build relationships and engage with brewers. We wanted to integrate and pass along the collaborative efforts to the craft malting industry."
Learn more about the Craft Malt Conference put on by the Craft Maltsters Guild at craftmalting.com. For more details about each of these collaboration beers, or with media inquiries about Root Shoot Malting, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT ROOT SHOOT MALTING
Root Shoot Malting’s family of farmers grow, harvest and malt the finest grains to give brewers and distillers high-quality taste in every glass. Opened in 2016 on 1,500 acres of Olander Farms’ irrigated land in Loveland, Colorado, Root Shoot harvests alfalfa, wheat, corn, rye, and barley. Root Shoot gives breweries and distilleries the ability to procure local, consistent and high quality craft products. Find this craft maltster online at rootshootmalting.com.