USA: American Malting Barley Association develops Craft, a new malting variety
The American Malting Barley Association (AMBA) funds research aimed at the development of new malting varieties for its members. The newly developed Craft malting barley variety is particularly suited to the production of all-malt beers, the association released June 12.
This two-rowed malting barley was developed by Dr. Tom Blake, Montana State University, with support from AMBA and the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee. It was bred to incorporate the excellent flavor profile and malting characteristics of the variety Klages into a high yielding variety capable of competing with today’s malting and feed varieties.
Careful selection has led to Craft, which is well adapted to the fertile barley growing regions of the western US including the Golden Triangle region of Montana and intermountain valleys. It has produced bright, plump barley in trials to date.
Average yield at 11 Montana locations over 5 years:
Variety / Description / Yield (bu/acre)
Craft / - / 95 (bu/acre)
Harrington / Montana Malt Barley / 87 (bu/acre)
Baronesse / Montana Feed Barley / 97 (bu/acre)
Craft has lower levels of diastatic power and soluble protein. While sufficient for adequate yeast nutrition, the lower level of soluble protein reduces the potential formation of beer hazes resulting from protein complexes.
Craft is currently undergoing commercial trials. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company completed tests with barley grown in 2004 and malted by Briess Malt & Ingredients Company. These trials went well and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company rated 2004 crop trials satisfactory. Testing is continuing with Craft barley grown in 2005 under contract with Cargill Malt. It yielded 90 bushels per acre (bu/A), compared to the state average of 56 bu/A. It was plump, bright in color and averaged 11.9% total protein.
Approximately 9,000 bushels have been malted for brewing trials. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company will continue its commercial testing of Craft. As with any new variety, it should be recognized that there must be sufficient demand to maintain production of Craft. This is a result of the economies of scale required by the certified seed growers, grain handling facilities and malting facilities.
The American Malting Barley Association invites brewers of all sizes to participate in the development of new varieties for the industry.
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