September is Craft Malt Month
As dedicated beer enthusiasts, we know there are four basic ingredients to making beer. One of those is malt. And, in making craft beer, just as there has arrived independent local breweries, there are local maltsters offering locally grown grains to creators of local beer, spirits, and more. September has been designated as Craft Malt Month and breweries, taprooms around Maryland are helping bring attention to this important group of small businesses.
What is Craft Malt Month
If you want to learn more about craft malt, a good place to begin is at the Craft Malt Month website.
“Malted grains are the primary source of flavor and fermentable sugar in beer and many spirits. Craft Malt is a grassroots movement dedicated to small-batch maltsters who source their grain from local farms.”
At CraftMaltMonth.com you can learn about about these special malts, but also the Events around the country to bring attention to these grains.
Craft Malt Month in Maryland
The Brewer’s Association of Maryland stated, “September’s officially Craft Malt Month, and we’re stoked to see local maltsters like Bear Branch Malt, Murphy & Rude Malting Co., and Valley Malt in the spotlight, bringing the grain power right to your glass.”
Bear Branch Malt is in Westminster, MD.
Murpy & Rude Malting is in Charlottesville, VA
Valley Malt is in Holyoke, MA
“Special shout to all the breweries teaming up in Max’s Taphouse “Craft Malt Celebration” on September 30, and don’t forget Wanderland at Symphony Woods on October 4, where you’ll taste these malt-made beers firsthand. Want a sneak peek? Franklin’s just dropped a Vienna Lager made with 100% Vienna malt from Bear Branch, crafted just for this month. That’s the kind of local flavor that makes your sip mean something.”
Bear Branch Malt
“Bear Branch Malt is an integral part of our 4th generation family farm located in the rolling hills of Carroll County Maryland. ”
In the rolling farmland of Carroll County, Maryland, Bear Branch Malt has carved out a reputation as one of the region’s premier craft maltsters. An integral part of a fourth-generation family farm, Bear Branch does far more than malt barley—they raise cattle and sheep, grow grains, and champion regenerative agriculture that keeps the land as productive and healthy as it is beautiful.
What sets Bear Branch apart is its deep connection to Maryland’s agricultural community. By partnering with local growers, they help connect local agriculture to Maryland breweries and to the beers we enjoy. The result is a lineup of distinctive malts that range from clean and versatile Pilsner and Pale to more character-driven varieties like Vienna, Munich, Golden Honey, Caramel Honey, Double Honey, Pale Wheat, Pale Rye, Munich Rye, and Caramel Rye.
At the heart of their operation is a custom-built, four-ton Saladin box-style pneumatic malting system—state-of-the-art technology that allows for precise process control. The system’s design gives Bear Branch the ability to deliver consistent, high-quality malt with the complexity and nuance that today’s brewers demand.
For Maryland brewers looking to create beers that are both innovative and deeply rooted in local agriculture, Bear Branch Malt is more than a supplier—it’s a partner in flavor, sustainability, and craft.
Maryland Events to Explore
All of the events below were promoted on CraftMaltMonth.com/events.
Brewery Fire in Taneytown, MD, brews a Maryland Wheat Ale made with Bear Branch Malt Pale Soft White Wheat and Double Honey malts, wildflower honey from Gardners Gourmet, in Union Bridge, Maryland, and fruited with pineapple and orange. This beer was brewed in collaboration with Three Sheets and The Wind, a local Maryland band.
Milkhouse Brewery creates an Oktoberfest beer using Bear Branch Malt made with 100% Maryland regenerative and organic grains.. As the first Maryland farm brewery, Milkhouse Brewery continually produces beers supporting Maryland agriculture.
1623 Brewing created a Baltic Rye Porter with Bear Branch Malt. Every pint starts with a story, and this one begins in Maryland soil. We partnered with Bear Branch Malt to bring you a true taste of home—caramel rye for spice, double honey malt for sweetness, and a Baltic porter recipe steeped in tradition. Local grain. Global inspiration. Maryland brewed.
Checkerspot Brewing Company, with Wico Street Beer Company, brews a Landbier with Bear Branch Malt Vienna and Munich malts to celebrate Craft Malt Month. Checkerspot Brewing will also have their Bird is the Word Honey Kölsch with Bear Branch Honey Malt, and Wrong Side of the Tracks Cherry Sour with 100% local Maryland ingredients, including Bear Branch Malt Pale Soft White Wheat malt.
Pipe The Side Brewing Company brewed a Saison for Craft Malt Month. Brewing an innovative Saison with Bear Branch Malt Pilsner and Vienna malts, and papalo, a citrusy arugula and cilantro-like herb from Echo Valley Farm in Hampstead, Maryland.
To celebrate Craft Malt Month, Mayan Monkey releases several beers using Bear Branch Malt. “Bodega Classica”, Pale Kellerbier, a lager fermented at cellar temperature and served fresh. A Pub Ale decocted ale inspired by English Bitter beer, brewed with English ale yeast, German hops, and Maryland Bear Branch Malt.
“Itz”, Wild Ale, a blend of Bear Branch barley malts fermented with house culture. Primary fermentation for 3 months, keg conditioned for 4 months. “Freshly Foraged”, a lager brewed with foraged Spicebush leaves and Maryland Bear Branch Malts.Pub Dog Brewing & Brewery Fire collaborate to brew a Rye IPA., a West Coast IPA brewed with Bear Branch Rye & Pale Ale Malts, using Maryland grown Chinook & Monocacy hops.. Pub Dog Brewing releases A Maryland Lager, a Vienna amber lager brewed with Bear Branch Vienna Malt & Maryland grown Chinook hops.
Franklins Brewery brewed Gasthaus, a Historic Vienna Lager, creating a modern interpretation of the famous historic 19th-century Vienna lager recipe originally created by Austrian Brewmeister Anton Dreher and utilizing 100% locally grown and malted barley from Bear Branch Malt located in Westminster, Maryland, showcasing local barley terroir. Noble Czech Saaz hops for bittering, as they were readily available in the mid-19th century, as were other noble hop varieties. This beautiful lager is full-bodied with a dense and billowy off-white foam cap that sits atop a light amber–redish lager with an intoxicating toasty, bready malt aroma. Hop character is low and provides just enough spicy/earthy bitterness to balance the malty sweetness. The finish is dry and crisp thanks to a cold fermentation and long lagering times at near freezing temperatures.
Streetcar 82 Brewing celebrates Craft Malt Month by brewing an Altlinie (Old Line) Festbier using Maryland-grown Bear Branch Malt- Pilsner, Vienna, and Munich malts for a crisp, toasty, and smooth Oktoberfest classic. with a 5.3% ABV.
Max’s Taphouse is partnering with Bear Branch Malt and 16+ local breweries to celebrate Craft Malt Month with a Tap Takeover on Tuesday, September 30th at 5 pm (Eastern Time). A selection of beers made using Bear Branch Malt will be available to taste and purchase, along with grain samples, and other give-aways.