Get Ready to Talk All Things Craft Malt!

Register today for MaltCon2025

Dates:  February 27- March 1, 2025
Location:  Denver, CO

MaltCon2025, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s annual conference + trade expo, brings together university, agriculture, malt, and beverage professionals from across the globe as the only conference of its kind, offering workshops and seminars specifically focused on malt research, topics, and best practices.

Get ready for two full days of panels, seminars, and rapid fire sessions at the Springhill Suites Conference Center and Metro State on February 27-March1, 2025. We have two powerhouse speakers joining us for MaltCon2025.  This year, all sessions are consecutive so you won’t miss out on any hot topic you’re interested in. Stay tuned! We’ll announce more in the coming weeks.

We wrap up MaltCon2025 with the Awards Dinner and Closing Party on Saturday evening, March 1.  You’ll hear who the winners are from the 2025 Malt Cup Judging, the Soles of Malt recipient, and much more!

Click here to book your spot for the conference!

Hotel Options:

Springhill Suites welcomes MaltCon2025 participants as the host conference center and hotel. You’ll enjoy comfortable rooms, free breakfast every morning, free Wi-Fi, fitness center and conveniently located in Downtown Denver. We have secured room block for conference attendees, click here to make your reservation.

MaltCon Schedule (Check back for any updates)

Monday 2/24 – 2/27

Advanced Class In Malt Production 

Join us in Denver, CO, from February 27 to March 1, 2025, for three days of educational seminars, networking opportunities, a trade show, and receptions. This one-of-a-kind, malt-focused event is the only conference specifically dedicated to the craft malt supply chain, growing in size and media presence each year. Workshops and seminars will explore research, trends, and best practices that shape the industry.  m – 

Thursday –  2/27

Self Guided Malthouse Tours

• Root Shoot Malting – Open house and tours 9am – 4pm
• Troubadour Maltings – Open house and tours 9am – 4pm
• Grouse Malt House – Open house and tours 12pm – 4pm

 

Welcome Reception @ Union Station Denver

Kick off the 2025 Craft Malt Conference with our Welcome Reception at Denver’s iconic Union Station! Just a 15-minute walk or a quick Uber ride from the host hotel, SpringHill Suites Denver. A great opportunity to network with  maltsters, brewers, distillers, sponsors before the sessions start the next day. 

From 5–7 PM, enjoy Craft Malt Certified beers on tap exclusively for our group, along with cocktails for spirits enthusiasts. Reserved space in the Grand Hall ensures a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. A cash bar will be available, and you can order food or explore Union Station’s diverse dining options and the vibrant Lower Downtown Denver scene. See you there!

Friday – 2/28

8:00 – Trade Show opens 

8:15 – Welcome Remarks 

8:30 – Key Note Address: Charlie Papazain • Brewers Association and Founder of GABF

9:15 – Industry Updates

• • • Matt Gacioch • Craft Beer Economics – Brewers Association
    • Bill Owens • American Distilling Institute  

10:15 – Trade Show and Break Opportunity 

10:30 – Malting Bi-products For Yeast Growth: John Giarratano • Inland Island Yeast Laboratories

11:00 – Stored Grain Insect Management:  Thomas Phillips, Kansas State University

12:00 – Lunch and Trade Show 

1:00 – Managing DON in the Malthouse: Brent Manning •  Riverbend Malt House 

2:00 – Crafting Your Digital Edge: Actionable Marketing Strategies for Farmers, Malthouses and Brewers

• • Emilly Hutto •  RadCraft
  • Leslie Salonen • Brand Manager at Moxie Sozo Advertising
  • Sean Bradley • Interactive Director at Moxie Sozo Advertising

3:00 – Trade Show and Swag Swap 

3:30 – Gluten Free Malt Sensory

• • Twila Soles • Grouse Malt House
  • Matt Bailey • Grouse Malt House

4:15 – The Mouth’s Got Something to Say: Understanding Malt’s Impact on Mouthfeel: Jen Blair • Master Cicerone

5:15 – Saturday Preview 

Friday Evening (Optional) – Self Gilded Craft Malt Certified Brewery and Distillery Tour of Denver:  We provide the map, you make your own schedule and transportation

Saturday – 3/1

8:00 – Trade Show opens 

8:45 – Opening Remarks 

9:00 – 50 years in Malt:  Dave Thomas • Maltster/Brewer

9:45 – 5 Minutes to Beat Burnout: Tara Nurin • Journalist and TV Host 

10:30 – Trade Show 

11:00 – Securing Public Funding In Support of Craft Malt Supply Chains:

• • Phil Neumann • Founder at Mainstem Malt,
  • Alan Gladish • Founder at Double Eagle Malt
  • Brian Estes • Partnerships at LINC Malt

12:00 – Lunch and Trade Show

1:00 – Collaborating With Vendors To Scale Up A Malting Facility –

• Benji Knorr • Director of Malthouse Operations at Blue Ox Malthouse,
• Gabe Toth • Accomplished distiller, brewer, and industry writer
• Wayne Moore • Malters Advantage
• Steve Clark – Troubadour Maltings

2:00 – Lab Analysis: Sherwin Santiano •  CMBTC

2:45 – Practical Interpretation of Malt Analysis: Bruce French • BJF Malt Consulting Inc.

3:30 – Trade Show 

3:45 – Maltster’s Round Table:  Hannah Uhlmann •  Montana State University 

4:45 – Membership Meeting 

5:30 – Break 

6:30 – MaltCup Awards Dinner