Malt distilling and brewing approval is a major breakthrough

Promotion of spring malting barley variety Laureate to Full approval for both malt distilling and brewing uses on the Institute of Brewing and Distilling approved list of varieties for harvest 2018 has been welcomed as a major breakthrough for growers, by its breeder Syngenta.

The promotion sees Laureate become the highest-yielding spring barley on the current AHDB Recommended List to have Full approval in both markets, says Syngenta seeds and seedcare campaign manager, Mark Bullen.

Consequently, news of its IBD approval has been eagerly awaited, he adds.

“Recent years have seen a yield gap between varieties for brewing and varieties for distilling,” says Mr Bullen.

“The industry has definitely moved back to wanting single varieties suited to both markets, and Laureate puts growing for distilling back on a more equal yield footing with growing for brewing. It is a real breakthrough for growers,” he adds.

In testing, Mr Bullen says Laureate has produced excellent quality in both markets – with a high hot water extract for brewing and a high spirit yield for distilling. It has also attracted end user interest among both distillers and brewers, he notes.

“Encouragingly, Laureate also made progress in the brewing sectors in France and Germany earlier this year. It is also generating interest in the US, Canada and Japan. In future, we would like to see it giving UK growers an export opportunity as well.

“As well as high treated yields, Laureate also has the top untreated yield figure of spring barleys on the AHDB Recommended List.

“We have also seen reduced skinning levels with the variety. Overall it offers high yields and multiple markets. The latest IBD approvals should give growers added confidence in Laureate,” Mr Bullen adds.