Craft maltsters are taking on a slew of herculean challenges within our food system, with huge implications for local-to-regional grain economies. For craft maltsters to succeed, they need the support of a community. The Guild is here to help.
Formed in 2013 by eight craft malthouses, the Craft Maltsters Guild emphasizes quality and craftsmanship as a requirement for success. We believe that maltsters have the ability to influence positive changes and improvements in the malting industry through knowledge and communication.
THE 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.
We define Craft Malt as follows:
- Small: A Member Malthouse produces between 5 metric tons (5.5 US tons) to 10,000 metric tons (11,000 US tons) per year.
- Local: Over 50% of grains are grown within a 500-mile radius of the Member Malthouse.
- Independent: Each Member Malthouse must be independently owned by a 76% majority of ownership.
Membership to the Craft Maltster’s Guild has many advantages. Learn More.
Why Craft Malt?
To put it simply, craft products deserve craft ingredients. While there’s a lot of good malts out there, the majority of it comes from big businesses with production volumes that dwarf all but the largest craft beer and spirits brands. With craft malt, malt buyers can now see eye-to-eye with malt producers. And it turns out that when these folks are seeing eye-to-eye, great things happen.
Here’s a sampling of what craft malt has to offer. To locate craft malt, use the Craft Malt Finder.
LOCAL INGREDIENTS
Our members pledge to seek out the highest quality ingredients from farmers in their region. We define “regionally sourced” as utilizing raw materials from a 500-mile radius. This scope promotes the development of strong local grain economies while allowing for flexibility in years of poor harvest conditions.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Craft malt customers enjoy the many benefits of working with like-minded small businesses. Specifically, craft maltsters offer smaller batch sizes, enhanced experimentation potential, myriad custom malting opportunities, unique perspectives, and just plain old fun. That’s a lot to smile about.
DIVERSE METHODS
Craft maltsters are utilizing production methods that run the gamut from traditional to technological. This range in production methods, combined with the utilization of heirloom and regionally adapted grain varieties, offers an exciting opportunity to explore an unprecedented diversity of flavor.
QUALITY INGREDIENTS
Our members are committed to product testing in every phase of the malting process. This commitment stresses analysis on all raw grain samples and full malting analysis for finished products. Assessing grain from the field to the mash tun ensures that our industry builds a solid foundation for safe, high-quality products.
Position Statements
The Craft Maltsters Guild Board of Directors may promulgate position statements regarding bylaw interpretation and activity administration as necessary.
Visit the Board of Directors page to learn more about the current Board of Directors.