DENVER, CO– The Craft Maltsters Guild reported international attendance and the largest Malt Cup competition yet from MaltCon2025, the organization’s annual conference and trade expo.
The only malt industry gathering of its kind, MaltCon began with the Advance Class in Malt Production. This four-day intensive course had 14 participants hailing from Australia, France, Mexico, and the United States.
The conference, which took place in Denver this year, had attendees from nine countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the United States) and expert speakers who represented the entire grain supply chain— from farming and malting, to brewing and distilling, and many members of the agricultural research community. In total there were 97 participants, including professionals from 30 malthouses, three breweries, one distillery, 10 industry suppliers, and eight research institutions.
2025 MALT CUP
Each year at MaltCon, esteemed judges complete the final of three rounds of blind judging for the Malt Cup— a prestigious malt quality competition that determines the best malt in the world. This year, there were more entries into the competition than ever before (34 malthouses from seven countries submitted 112 malt samples), as well as two new categories (Distillers Malt and Unique Malt) to create a total of eight malt styles judged.
Congratulations to Maine’s Blue Ox Malthouse, named best in show in this points-based competition. Their team returned home with the traveling Malt Cup trophy.
The 2025 Malt Cup winners are as follows:
PILSEN (20 entries)
Bronze: Cold Stream Malt & Grain, malted in partnership with Montana Craft Malt
Silver: Cascadia Malts
Gold: Red Shed Malting
PALE MALT (13 entries)
Bronze: Two Track Malting
Silver: Red Shed Malting
Gold: Voyager Craft Malt
VIENNA (13 entries)
Bronze: ND Malting & Hops
Silver: Murmuration Malts
Gold: Admiral Maltings
LIGHT MUNICH (12 entries)
Bronze: Two Track Malting
Silver: Root Shoot Malting
Gold: Blue Ox Malthouse
WHEAT (15 entries)
Bronze: Admiral Maltings
Silver: South Fork Malthouse
Gold: LINC Malt
CARAMEL (11 entries)
Bronze: New York Craft Malt
Silver: Root Shoot Malting
Gold: Blue Ox Malthouse
DISTILLERS MALT (9 entries)
Bronze: Cascadia Malts
Silver: Troubadour Maltings
Gold: Root Shoot Malting
UNIQUE MALT (19 entries)
Honorable Mention: Voyager Craft Malt
Bronze: Root Shoot Malting
Silver: Red Shed Malting
Gold: Grouse Malt House
SOLES OF MALT AWARD
The Soles Of Malt, created in memory of craft maltster William Soles, stands for selfless and philanthropic stewardship of the craft malt industry. Each year, a selection committee considers a wide range of craft malt community members to make this tough decision. Congratulations to the 2025 Soles of Malt Award recipient, Brent Manning, the Co-Founder of Riverbend Malt House. Manning was one of the founding members of the Craft Maltsters Guild who served on the Board of Directors for 10 years, four of them as President. Manning and his team have also demonstrated incredible resilience and support for their community in Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
SPONSORS
MaltCon is made possible by generous organizations committed to the work of the Craft Maltsters Guild. Thank you to the MaltCon2025 sponsors.
Platinum Sponsor
Yingtai Machinery
Gold Sponsors
Kaspar Schulz
Malters Advantage
Buehler
Silver Sponsors
ABM Equipment
Walinga
Montana State University
Hartwick College
Metropolitan State University
Bronze Sponsors
Root Shoot Malting
IKA Lab Equipment
Resilient Freight Solutions
SPECIAL THANKS
The Guild extends recognition to Hannah Ulhmann, Director of the Montana State University Barley and Malt Quality Lab. Through her leadership, the lab has been the official Malt Cup partner since its inception. Thanks to Ulhmann for her ongoing dedication and work to elevate this competition year over year.
Media inquiring about the Craft Maltsters Guild or MaltCon2025 can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD
Formed in 2013, 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.
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