USA: Brewing companies are testing out new barley varieties

Brewing companies are testing out new barley varieties developed by MSU, Montana State University (MSU) barley breeder Tom Blake said in a statement of Ag News on July 21.

The Busch brewing company is testing out a new variety called Hockett, which averages 13 % protein with 52-pound test weight and 86 % plumpness, said Blake. "They're thinking of replacing Harrington with Hockett because producers end up feeding more Harrington than making malt," he said. "The Hockett would've made malt twice as often as Harrington. We're hopeful it will work."

The brewing company will test the new variety for brewing quality for two years before accepting contracts on it. Blake said if the variety survives the tests, foundation seed will be available in 2007.

The Miller brewing company is also testing a new irrigated malt barley variety, called Geraldine. Like Hockett, the Geraldine variety must survive a series of brewing tests specific to the Miller company and different than those of the Busch company. "This variety will be more fitting to barley producers in southern Montana than here in Havre," said Blake. "If it survives the tests, Geraldine will be available in 2007."

Another malt barley variety soon to be available is Craft, named for its appeal to niche beer markets. "It has malt characteristics to make specialty beers," said Blake. "It modifies slower than other malt varieties. There are about 300,000 acres of specialty malt barley varieties planted to serve the specialty ale market which makes up 5 percent of the beer market."

Craft has already been brewery tested for one year and is in its second year of testing. If it survives this second year, Blake said foundation seed would be available in spring of 2006.

Serving niche markets may be the future for some small grains producers, said Talbert, who attended a meeting with the U.S. Wheat Associates and Asian wheat buyers. During the meeting, Talbert said he learned several interesting things.

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