The Craft Maltsters Guild invites malthouses from across the globe to participate in the only malt competition in the world, this year with an expanded six categories. .
The 2024 Malt Cup presented by the Craft Maltsters Guild is taking submissions from September 24th to October 13th. This year the Malt Cup has expanded to six categories including Pilsen, Pale Malt, Light Munich, Vienna, Wheat Malt, and Caramel Malt. The sixth annual Malt Cup takes place at the University of California Davis Conference Center in Northern California.
Any Craft Maltsters Guild Member Malthouse, Allied Trade, or International Malthouse Member in good standing may enter. The cost per entry for Craft Maltsters Guild Members and International Malthouse Members is $150, or $300 for Allied Trade. Each participant is limited to one entry per category, with unlimited total entries. Each submission must contain three pounds of malt. Enter your malt at https://beerawardsplatform.com.
The Malt Cup is the only competition of its kind and gives maltsters the opportunity to obtain valuable analytical and sensory feedback on their malts. Participants not only have a chance to win accolades but will also receive—
- A full report of Certificates of Analyses (COAs) for entries in each category participated in. Entries are blind coded so maltsters can ID the data for their own malt, while getting a comparison to the malts across the full entry field. Malt COAs are provided by the competition’s official partner, Montana State University’s Barley, Malt, & Brewing Quality Lab. The COA data is valued at over $100 alone, while the ability to review the data from the full competition field is priceless. Note: All entries remain anonymous.
- Sensory feedback report (for malts passing the scrutiny of the analytical round). Entries which advance are sent around the country to judge panels made up of industry professionals, including maltsters, brewers, distillers, researchers, journalists, and Cicerones. The Malt Cup is proud to partner with the Beer Judge Certification Program to source high quality judges for the competition. A comprehensive sensory report is generated for each malt and provided back to participants.·
- Sensory and COA feedback (for malts advancing to the Best of Show judging). Entries which advance to the final round will receive additional feedback including evaluations of the malt COAs, raw malt, and wort.·
- Winning malts (Gold, Silver, Bronze), in each category will receive a beautiful handmade medal. The competition has partnered with Aaron Maki of Old Hand Design to provide these handcrafted awards.·
- Best of Show trophy. Of the Gold winning malts, the single highest scoring entry will take home the traveling Malt Cup. Each year this trophy represents bragging rights for the top malt and malthouse.
Entry guidelines, malt style categories, judging criteria, and methodology can be accessed through the BAP website, where you can also sign up to be a judge or steward at the conference.