Field to Bench: Genetics, Test Plots, and Terroir

By Meghan Howes, Contributing Writer for RadCraft Long before the term “craft malt” entered the beer industry’s imagination, enterprising scientist Dr. Jamie Sherman was breeding and testing barley and other grains. Working within Montana State University’s (MSU) Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Sherman studied the composition of several grains in an attempt to better understand the genetics…

Field to Bench: Harnessing Education and Resources for the Beer Industry

By Meghan Howes, Contributing Writer for RadCraft Hannah Turner wears numerous hats as Director of Montana State University’s Barley, Malt & Brewing Quality Lab. Each workday varies, though her tasks have changed considerably from when she first came to MSU in 2006. “Early on a typical day meant getting the analyzer started, getting things milled. I’d…