Craft Maltsters Guild Shares 2023 State of the Industry Update

NATIONAL— In recognition of National Craft Malt Week (September 22-29, 2023) and the ten-year anniversary of the trade association for the small grains movement, the Craft Maltsters Guild membership met this week to introduce the Guild’s new Executive Director Alice Blayne-Allard and share the results of its recent malthouse survey. 

Blayne-Allard brings with her a life-long passion for local sourcing and a breadth of malt-relevant knowledge from agricultural marketing to cooperage. Most importantly, her extensive non-profit leadership and administration experience will be instrumental in supporting the craft malt community in its next big push for market share. “I’m that consumer who goes into a brewery or distillery and asks where the grains are sourced,” she said in the meeting. “One of my key objectives is to expand consumer awareness and raise understanding of why craft malt matters.” 

The 2023 membership survey covered many topics including maltster education, products, distribution, and marketing. Here are the key takeaways from its results: 

• The majority (52%) of respondents consider themselves experts of the production or use of craft malt. “Had we taken this survey several years ago this number might have been lower,” said Brian Estes, LINC Malt Co-Owner and Partnerships Director and Vice President of the Craft Maltsters Guild Board of Directors. “Our membership continues to make tremendous strides in expertise and knowledge, which translates to knowledge and understanding of our customers too.” 

• Survey respondents distribute their products across a broad geography and in a variety of formats of finished beers and spirits. “Some malthouses are working in a hyper-local way, and many respondents are also sending malt out of state and to broader geographic regions,” said Hillary Barile, Rabbit Hill Farms Head Maltster and Board of Directors President. “That means people are appreciating craft malt not just for its hyper-locality but also for flavor, alignment of business objectives, and more.” 

Media interested in learning more about the Craft Maltsters Guild and its programs like the Craft Malt Certified™ seal and annual Craft Malt Conference can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@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 2024 Craft Malt Conference Destination with Request For Session Proposals

INTERNATIONAL— The Craft Maltsters Guild has selected the University of California Davis Conference Center in Northern California as the location for the 2024 Craft Malt Conference that will be held on February 23 and 24, 2024. 

The Guild’s Board of Directors, Marketing & Events Working Group, and 2024 Craft Malt Conference Planning Committee is working in collaboration to execute this gathering of university, agriculture, malt, and beverage professionals from across the globe. The Craft Malt Conference is the only conference of its kind, offering workshops and seminars specifically focused on malt research, topics, and best practices. 

The Craft Maltsters Guild seeks proposals from professionals across the malt supply chain to present their research and expertise to our membership on topics including but not limited to agriculture and agronomy, small grains breeding, scientific research, technical and applied elements of the malting process, sensory, flavor, marketing, and industry DEI. Find the proposal requirements and submit at craftmalting.com. Submissions are due by Friday, September 8. 

More information about the 2024 Craft Malt Conference will be published in coming months. Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com to request media credentials to the conference and with queries about the Craft Maltsters Guild. 

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

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.