The 2024 Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production will be held February 19-22, 2024, at the UC Davis Mondavi Institute.  This class precedes the 2024 Craft Malt Conference happening at the same location later in the week.

The Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production is a four-day intensive class in craft malting technology aimed at giving startup and experienced craft maltsters, as well as others within the craft malt supply chain, both theoretical and practical knowledge in malting technology.

Course Objectives

• Develop knowledge in malting barley and in its characteristics
• Learn and control the different steps of the malting process
• Determine the defining characteristics of malt quality and the influence of processing parameters
• Learn the technology and methods used to produce craft malt

Program

• Theory and biochemistry of malt production
• Malting barley characteristics and influence on malt quality
• Malting steps: preparation of barley, steeping, germination, and kilning
• Malting process parameters and optimization
• Testing methods for barley grain and finished malt quality
• Equipment and technology for craft malting
• Costs in the malting plant and energy savings

Instructors 

Bruce French obtained a BSC in Agriculture from the University of Guelph, Ontario, and a Management Certificate from the Canadian Institute of Management. He has worked over 40 years in the malting industry, training as a maltster with Canada Malting and learning the craft of making malt while working at various malting plants, on process improvement and plant automation projects.  During his last 13 years with what was at the time, GrainCorp Malt North American Operations he held roles in operations and malting retiring as Director of Malting and Technical services. Bruce’s responsibilities within this role included malt production quality and shipment quality for the five GrainCorp North American malt plants, product safety, HACCP, production quality management systems, process support and worldwide technical support for brewing customers. Prior to completion of full-time work, Bruce joined Schill Malz in Germany for two years as Director of Operations, with key responsibilities for malt quality, optimizing and management of the malting process. Bruce was a member of the new variety malt quality evaluation committees at AMBA and the BMBRI. Bruce volunteers his time with the Craft Malting Guild technical committee. He especially enjoys passing on his extensive malting knowledge to the next generation of maltsters.

Hannah Turner is the Director of the Montana State University Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab. The lab services the MSU breeding program and industry through research, outreach, education, and by providing thousands of data points each year on barley, malt, and beer. Hannah has degrees in Environmental Horticulture and Plant Science, with her M.S. focusing on the genetic control of starch production in cereals. In her current role, Hannah conducts research on important issues such as the impact of the steeping regime on malt quality, genetic control of barley endosperm hydration, mineral effect on terroir and malt flavor, and method development to improve breeding program selection for malting varieties. Hannah works closely with the Guild via the Educational Committee, as well as serving on the ASBC Technical Committee, chairing the ASBC’s Malt Subcommittee, and serving on the board for the Montana Brewers Association. Hannah is dedicated to elevating the barley value chain via education and presents frequently to groups spanning the industry.

Course Registration & Fees

If you would like to participate in the 2024 Advanced Course, regiser here.

• Craft Maltsters Guild Members:$1,600
• Non-Members:$2,000

*Please note: Space is limited. You’re encouraged to register early to reserve your spot in the course. 

Hotel 
Hyatt Place UC Davis welcomes Advanced Course participants! Conveniently located near the Mondavi Institute and easy walking distance to downtown Davis, you’ll enjoy comfortable rooms, free breakfast every morning, free Wi-Fi, a heated pool, 24-hour fitness center and more. To make your hotel reservations, click here (conference code: G-MALT).

Course Registration

Continue your networking and learning at the 2024 Craft Malt Conference! The event kicks-off with a Welcome Reception Thursday evening, February 22, at Admiral Malting in Alameda (round trip transportation from UC Davis is available).  MaltCon2024 features two full days of panel discussions and sessions on topics ranging from barley breeding initiatives, the latest research on climate change and sustainability, craft malting for distilling, and more!

Not a Member, Join Today!

Learn more about becoming a member of the Craft Maltsters Guild here.