Maris Otter - from grower to brewer (From Gazette & Herald)

Maris Otter - from grower to brewer

MALTING barley, from the field to the cask, was reviewed recently at a meeting in Masham organised by York-based grain merchant Isaac Poads.

Farmers from Ryedale were among those present to discuss in detail issues surrounding the production and supply of malting barley Maris Otter from grower to brewer with agronomists, plant breeders, merchants, maltsters and brewers.

The event was held at the Black Sheep Brewery where managing director Paul Theakston and head brewer Paul Ambler said they were committed to the variety and required continuity of supply. To this end, they were prepared to pay a premium for their malt rather than buying the poor quality commodity malt that is flooding the UK at a very cheap price.

The group also went to David and Sam Webster's Mowbray Hill Farm to inspect 100 acres of Maris Otter in the field that overlooked the brewery. David explained the agronomy applied to the crop and how it cost the same to grow as traditional modern varieties of winter barley. The advantages of growing the variety, he said, were the harvest movement, eradication of the need to dry the crop after harvesting, and the £105 price per tonne.

Plant breeder Jonathon Arnold told growers the variety was now more resistant to disease and stiffer strawed than it was in the past.

For inquiries about Maris Otter, contact Simon Cockerill at Isaac Poads on (01423) 358114.

Updated: 12:55 Wednesday, June 16, 2004