How Craft Malt Month Looks to Celebrate Backbone of the Industry

The Craft Maltsters Guild recently announced the expansion of its annual Craft Malt Week into the inaugural Craft Malt Month, taking place all this September. It will offer a unique opportunity for the entire craft malt supply chain — from growers to maltsters and brewers — to come together, showcase their talents, and highlight the craftsmanship that goes into malt production.

The decision to extend the celebration from a week to a month reflects the growing importance and recognition of craft malt in the beer and spirits industries. Steve Kurowski, who was appointed Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild this past spring, said that there are enough stories to tell and enough programming to expand it into a full month. 

“September seemed like a very natural time to do it,” he said at a recent press conference. “It’s around harvest, and it’s a very exciting time in beer with the Great American Beer Festival on the approach. This gives us a lot of things to talk about during the month.”

Craft Malt Month is not just about celebrating malt; it’s about raising awareness of the role craft malt plays in the brewing and distilling industries. With over 10,000 breweries in the United States, the craft malt movement still has much work to do to bring more brewers and distillers into the fold. Kurowski emphasized the need to educate both industry professionals and consumers about the distinct qualities of craft malt.

“We’re not commodity malt. We offer something totally different to small brewers and distillers that commodity malt can’t do,” Kurowski said. 

He highlighted the importance of consumer awareness, noting that many people in tasting rooms may not fully understand the ingredients in their beer or where they come from. Craft Malt Month aims to bridge that knowledge gap and create a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in malt production.

Craft Malt Month is encouraging breweries to offer numerous opportunities for involvement across the supply chain. 

• Educational Events and Tours: During previous Craft Malt Weeks, members of the Guild have hosted events, tours, and classes centered on craft malt. With the expansion to a month, there’s even more time to execute these educational activities. Members can share their events on the Craft Malt Month website starting in early August. These events provide a platform to educate both industry peers and consumers about the importance of craft malt and the unique qualities it brings to beer and spirits.
• Collaborations: These collaborations not only highlight the versatility of craft malt but also serve as a fundraiser for the Craft Maltsters Guild. Kurowski added that there are already collaborations happening across the country, from North Carolina to California. These one-off beers, brewed specifically for Craft Malt Month, will be available throughout September, with a portion of the sales being donated to the Guild.
• Social Media Engagement: Everyone is encouraged to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #CraftMaltMonth and tagging the Guild @craftmalting on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. By sharing how you’re celebrating Craft Malt Month, you can help raise awareness and spread the word about the importance of craft malt in the beer and spirits industries.
• Community Building and Fundraising: Craft Malt Month is also an opportunity to strengthen the craft malt community. The Guild has created a platform for the community to come together at craftmaltmonth.com. This website will showcase events, tastings, and educational activities throughout the month, helping to drive business to brewers and distillers and making the celebration more consumer-focused.

At its core, Craft Malt Month is about more than just celebrating malt; it’s about recognizing the hard work, dedication, and craftsmanship that goes into producing high-quality malt for craft breweries and more. 

Kurowski said completing this loop of supporting local breweries that support their local malt houses and farms is important. 

“Supporting a local brewery that supports their local malt house that supports their local farm really completes the loop,” he said.

As the craft malt movement continues to grow, Craft Malt Month serves as a crucial platform for raising awareness and educating both industry professionals and consumers about the value of craft malt.