Base Malts
What are base malts?
Base malts are the essential foundation of brewing, making up the majority of every beer recipe.
They provide the fermentable extract needed to create alcohol while delivering subtle flavours, aromas and colour.
As the backbone of each brew, they set the stage for crystal malts, roasted malts and other special malts to add complexity.
Our range of base malts are renowned for their consistency, efficiency and quality in the brewhouse - giving brewers confidence in every mash.
Direct sourcing from farm
With the exception of Maris Otter, our barley is sourced directly from our network of contracted growers, allowing us to maintain full traceability from field to glass.
This close relationship means we can develop long-term partnerships with growers, while also engaging with them to drive sustainability on-farm.
Each summer, we host brewer visits where customers are able to meet the growers who produce the barley and tour our Tivetshall Maltings to see the malting process first-hand.
We source our Maris Otter exclusively through our trusted partners at Robin Appel Ltd, ensuring the highest quality of this heritage variety.
Lower carbon malt options
At our Tweed Valley Maltings, we produce malt using our pioneering Energy Centre fuelled by renewables.
Here, the kilning process is powered by a 12MW electric boiler fuelled by curtailed wind energy with support from three 6MW biomass boilers, which has reduced the carbon footprint of malt production by 72% compared to traditional methods.
For distilleries and breweries committed to reducing their Scope 3 emissions, sourcing base malt from our Tweed Valley Maltings provides a proven way to make meaningful sustainability gains without compromising on quality.
Quality heritage varieties
Brewers worldwide continue to choose Golden Promise and Maris Otter for their distinctive flavour and reliable brewhouse performance.
Golden Promise is renowned for its clean, sweet character and versatility across styles, while Maris Otter has long been prized for its depth and richness, particularly in traditional ales.
Both varieties remain benchmarks of quality, loved by brewers for their ability to deliver beers with authenticity and character.
