News

The comeback of malting barley

Demand for more regionally grown barley varieties by the craft beer industry has led to a multistate research effort.

North Dakota State University’s Paul Schwartz tells Brownfield the Uniform Eastern Spring Barley Evaluation Nursery is a coordinated effort by 10 universities, expanding barley production eastward.  “Researchers were getting calls from people interested in growing barley or craft brewers—‘What should I grow here?’”  He says, “That’s a tough question to answer if the crop hasn’t been grown for a while.”

In its second year, Schwartz says the research will help identify what malting barley varieties are more successful in certain regions but the craft beer industry is also looking flavor.  “I think things that are developed specifically more so for craft (beer) are probably a few years down the line.”

Schwartz says North Dakota has been a top producer of barley in the U.S. for decades, primarily for major brewers like Anheuser Bush or Miller Brewing.

AUDIO: Interview with Paul Schwartz