The Craft Maltsters Guild releases its own Certified Craft Malt Seal

The North American Craft Maltsters Guild is getting into the seal-of-approval game. In a similar vein as the Brewers Association independent seal, the Craft Maltsters Guild recently announced its Certified Craft Malt Seal that will allow brewers and distillers to communicate the use of and support for “distinctive, locally produced raw materials.”

“This seal marks an exciting development for our organization,” stated Board President Brent Manning. “Craft beverage consumers are becoming savvier about their purchasing decisions and the seal will serve a guide that helps them support locally-sourced products.”

The seal was designed to provide a key point of differentiation between Craft Maltsters Guild Member Malthouses and producers. To qualify as a Craft Maltsters Guild Member Malthouse, a malthouse must produce between 5 and 10,000 metric tons annually and should source more than 50 percent of its raw materials from within 500 miles of its malthouse.

The craft beer and spirits markets continue to be a dynamic environment for producers and retailers to navigate. Craft malt continues to grow in popularity across the nation with both large- and small-scale breweries and distillers incorporating these products into their flagship brands and major seasonal releases. In fact, we’re working on a story with Ohio’s Origin Malt right now. These marketing opportunities build the value proposition by connecting local agriculture to the individual brewery and to the drinker. This connectivity story mirrors the work done by farmers markets and “farm-to-table” dining establishments across the nation.

“We utilize craft malt in a myriad of ways across our operation, in a way to present atypical flavors and terroir,” said Doug Reiser, president of Burial Beer Co., “and the seal gives us a great opportunity to start a conversation with our customers about what it means to get up close and personal with farmers and the maltsters that bring their grain to life.”

Formed in 2013, the Craft Maltsters Guild currently has over 300 members worldwide. To learn more about the Certified Craft Malt Seal and Craft Malt Day, click here (if you dare).