Council Collaborates To Connect U.S. Barley, Malt To International Customers

Last week, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), along with the Brewers Association and the Idaho Barley Commission, sponsored a team of craft brewers and malt distributors from China, Japan and Southeast Asia on a tour of the U.S. barley value chain in Idaho and to the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America in Indiana.

“This dual-focused initiative was aimed at delivering comprehensive education and facilitating networking opportunities between the beer supply chain and prospective international buyers of U.S. barley and malt,” said Tommy Hamamoto, USGC director in Japan.

Hamamoto was joined on the program by USGC Regional Marketing Manager Rowena Awa Ngumbang, USGC Regional Programs and Special Projects Manager Sierra Richey and USGC Administration and Compliance Coordinator Evelyn Li.

The team met in Indianapolis for the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, where participants visited U.S. growers and exporters to learn about their services, including Cold Stream Malt and Grain and Two Track Malting, USGC members.

The conference also featured educational seminars about topics like malt applications, overviews of domestic barley production, proper storage and handling and more.

After the expo, the group traveled to Idaho to tour Mountain Malt, a Council member, and see how its facility operates. Other stops in Idaho included visits to barley farms and breweries to see how barley moves from producers to consumers.

Additionally, attendees visited a reservoir and canal to understand the meticulous care and planning that goes into U.S. barley production before a crop is planted to ensure the highest quality while retaining the health of the soil and surrounding environment.

“Our group underwent detailed education on U.S. barley production, new barley varieties, craft malt capabilities and procurement procedures while creating long-lasting relationships with U.S. barley producers and craft maltsters,” Richey said.

“By exposing participants to new applications and techniques for brewing, the Council is developing further demand and fostering a loyalty to U.S. barley that will make a difference in farmers’ bottom lines.”

Learn more about the Council’s work in barley here.