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A NOTE
FROM THE ED
I can’t believe I’m saying this but we’re about to close the chapter on another year. When I wrote my ED note this time a year ago things were in a much different place than they are now. The vaccine had yet to be made available, in-person events were still being canceled or held exclusively virtually, and the virus was still heavily affecting many of our communities. Fast forward to today, and while we may still be living through a pandemic, one thing is for sure, CRAFT MALT is having a moment!
Over the past year, our industry has garnered a robust smattering of media and press spots with headlines like “Why Craft Beer Is Turning to Craft Malt” and “Breweries Embrace the Burgeoning Craft Malting Industry.” (Be sure to check out these stories and more in our latest roundup of Malt in the Media at the end of this email.) This increased attention is reflected in the conversations I’ve had with many of our Member Malthouses who are reporting continued positive growth in sales. Several are even moving forward with plans for malthouse expansions in the coming year. Additionally, the Craft Malt Certified™ Seal program continues to draw new brewery and distillery members to the Guild.
I also have a big change plus an anniversary to report. Back in late September, I moved from Montana back to my home state of Pennsylvania. I’m excited to be back in the Mid-Atlantic region and look forward to getting to know the craft maltsters in this area and farther North better in the coming years. This coming December also marks my two-year anniversary as Executive Director of the Guild, so I want to say thanks for having me! It’s been my pleasure and honor to serve in this role over the past two years and I look forward to many more ahead.
Lastly, I’m excited to bring you the fourth quarter edition of our community newsletter. We’ve put together yet again, a jam-packed issue I’m confident you’re going to enjoy.
First, check out the #CraftMaltCon2022 announcements! We’re excited to welcome national grains expert June Russell as our 2021 keynote speaker. Russell is Director of Regional Food Programs at the Glynwood Center for Regional Food & Farming in New York’s Hudson Valley and brings 15-plus years of senior-level experience in building regional grain systems. Secondly, in case you missed it, we have also released the in-person schedule and speaker lineup for the conference. Take a look, then get registered and start planning your trip to Portland, ME. Speaking of Maine, Emily Hutto of RadCraft put together a fantastic piece to give us all a sneak peek into Maine’s craft malt scene. Read it here.
Along with conference updates, Board President Brent Manning is back with another quarterly recap on the Guild’s activities. We also feature Home Base Spirits, a women-owned Craft Malt Certified distillery making malt-forward craft spirits in Oakland, CA, and Katie Fromuth of Colorado State University’s Malt Quality Testing Lab explains why you should be a FAN of beer stability. We also highlight the Guild’s recently launched Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative and mission statement, as well as spotlight Dr. J Jackson-Beckham’s organization, Crafted For All, and those in our community who’ve made the Crafted For All commitment.
In this issue, you’ll also find a roundup of the Field to Bench series which was featured on the Guild blog over the past few months. Scroll down to find all the story links (there’s 7 total)! This new series, which will become a staple in all Guild newsletters going forward, aims to profile the people behind the malt research happening across North America and beyond. Thanks to those who’ve already shared their time and insights with us for these stories. Want to be featured next? Shoot me an email!
Finally, we’ve got not one, but two calls for candidates. The Guild seeks passionate individuals for nominations for both the 2022 Board of Directors Elections (there are three seats open) and the 2022 Soles of Malt Award. Scroll down and click the respective links for more details on each opportunity.
Now I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. Be well, enjoy the newsletter, and please reach out if there is any way I can be of help.
Cheers,
Jesse Bussard
Executive Director
director@craftmalting.com
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