In a celebration of craft brewing, Montana Craft Malt (MCM) has partnered with Jack's Abby
Craft Lagers to create a unique German Helles beer using Montana-grown Bavarian-style Pilsner
malt. This collaboration showcases the exceptional quality of Montana Craft Malt's domestic
Bavarian Pilsner base malt and Jack's Abby's expertise in brewing traditional and modern
European lagers.
This particular collaboration beer was brewed at Jack's Abby's facility in Framingham, MA, using
a hand-selected batch of Montana Craft Malt's Bavarian-style Pilsner malt using a German
barley grown in Montana called Esma. This batch was specifically designed for traditional
German decoction brewing that is still commonly used by small family run artisanal breweries
found throughout the countryside of Franconia and Bavaria. Decoction mashing enhances body
and mouthfeel to add complexity to lager beer. Jack’s Abby employs this technique frequently
for many of their well-known beers.
& quot;We're thrilled to collaborate with Jack's Abby Craft Lagers on this German-style Helles," said
Bryan Taylor, Director of Malting at Montana Craft Malt. "Our Bavarian Pilsner malt is a high-
quality domestic alternative to imported malts, offering North American brewers a more
sustainable and cost-effective option – without compromising on flavor and performance."
The decoction mashing process employed by Jack's Abby involved two separate decoctions
combined with Montana Craft Malt's exceptional Bavarian-style Pilsner malt, resulting in a beer
with a rich, malty flavor and a silky-smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel. Esma barley requires a
lower proteolytic modification to provide adequate beta-glucan degradation. This Pilsner malt
results in allowing longer protein rests without the risk of losing head retention and body
without sacrificing lautering performance.
When researching lager beer traditions, ingredients, and processes for my book Modern Lager
Beer my co-author and I knew we needed to capture the full lager picture including modern-
day brewing practices. I reached out to a long-time expert in malt, Bryan Taylor, to learn more
about Bavarian barley growing in the United States. A few years later now, we're excited to
showcase the potential of their Bavarian-style malts in this German Helles beer and share it
with our fans.
The collaboration not only champions Esma Bavarian Pilsner Malt, or the varied techniques of
brewing used at Jacks Abby, but also fosters the vital community and knowledge-sharing among
beer industry peers. By combining their expertise and passion, Montana Craft Malt and Jack's
Abby have created a unique beer that embodies the essence of traditional German brewing
techniques while showcasing the potential of domestically sourced ingredients.
& quot;At Montana Craft Malt, we're always seeking to help brewers find new ways to push the
boundaries of craft beer," said Bryan Taylor. "Collaborating with Jack's Abby has allowed us to
explore the potential of our Bavarian-style malts, and we believe they’ve truly captured the
essence of the German Helles style."
As the demand for high-quality, locally sourced ingredients continues to grow, Montana Craft
Malt's Bavarian-style Pilsner malt offers a domestic solution that meets the needs of discerning
brewers while supporting more sustainable practices. This collaboration showcases the
potential of Montana-grown malts, inspiring brewers across the country to explore the unique
flavors and possibilities they offer.
About Montana Craft Malt
Montana Craft Malt is a leading producer of premium malts, headquartered in Butte, MT. With
a commitment to quality and sustainability, they work closely with local growers to source the
finest barley and craft exceptional malts that capture the essence of Montana's rich agricultural
heritage. https://montanacraftmalt.com/
About Jack's Craft Lagers
Jack's Abby Craft Lagers is an independent and family-owned brewery operating out of
Framingham, Massachusetts. Renowned for their expertise in crafting lager-style beers, Jack's
Abby has earned acclaim through a portfolio of award-winning beers and serves as the official
craft brewery of the Boston Celtics. https://jacksabby.com/
================================
A Mountain State Collaboration, Crafted with Domestic, Bavarian-Style Malts
In a celebration of creativity and cooperation, Montana Craft Malt has partnered with
Wyoming’s Pure Madness Brewing Group, Flathead Valley Hops, and Ogden Beer Co., to craft
several exceptional West Coast Pilsners. These brews showcase the unique flavors of Montana-
grown Bavarian-style malts and hops, highlighting the spirit of innovation that thrives in
western mountain-town cultures.
The collaboration brings together accomplished breweries and producers to create distinct
West Coast Pilsners, brewed at the Roadhouse Pub, one at the Melvin Mothership in Alpine,
WY, and Ogden Beer Co.. The beers were crafted using Montana Craft Malt's Bavarian Pilsner
base malt, made from barley grown in the fertile fields of Montana.
& quot;We're thrilled to collaborate with and Melvin Brewing, Flathead Valley Hops and Ogden Beer
on these West Coast Pilsners," said Jen O'Brien, CEO of Montana Craft Malt. "Our Bavarian-style
Pilsner malt provides a unique and high-quality domestic alternative to imported, trans-Atlantic
malts, offering North American brewers a lighter environmental footprint and cost-effective
craft malt option – without compromising on flavor."
The West Coast Pilsner, also known as the "Hoppy Pils" or "Hoppy Lager," is a continually
evolving and growing style that has captured the attention of craft beer enthusiasts. The
Roadhouse Pub and Melvin teams were excited to explore this trend and showcase their
creativity using local ingredients through these collaborative brews.
& quot;Working with Montana Craft Malt and Flathead Valley Hops has been an incredible
experience," said Max Schafer, Head Brewer and Director of Operations for Pure Madness.
& quot;Their commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our values at Melvin. We're
stoked to bring these West Coast Pilsners to our fans and showcase the exceptional flavors that
can be achieved with locally sourced ingredients."
The collaboration not only celebrated the art of brewing but also fostered a sense of
community and knowledge-sharing among the participants. By bringing together their expertise
and passion, these iconic breweries and producers have created unique beers that embody the
spirit of the West.
& quot;At Ogden Beer Co., we're always seeking new ways to push the boundaries of craft beer," said
Jacquie King, Head Brewer for OBC. "Collaborating with Montana Craft Malt and Flathead Valley
Hops has allowed us to explore the potential of Bavarian-style malts and hops in a way that
truly captures the essence of the West Coast Pilsner style."
As the demand for high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients continues to grow, Montana Craft
Malt's Bavarian-style Pilsner malt offers a domestic solution that meets the needs of discerning
brewers while supporting sustainable practices. This collaboration showcases the potential of
Montana-grown malts and hops, inspiring brewers across the country to explore the unique
flavors and possibilities they offer.
About Montana Craft Malt
Montana Craft Malt is a leading producer of premium malts, headquartered in Butte, MT. With
a commitment to quality and sustainability, they work closely with local growers to source the
finest barley and craft exceptional malts that capture the essence of Montana's rich agricultural
heritage. https://montanacraftmalt.com/
About Melvin Brewing
Melvin Brewing is an iconic craft brewery based in Alpine, WY, renowned for their bold and
boundary-pushing beers. With a focus on creativity and quality, they have garnered a loyal
following among craft beer enthusiasts and continue to push the limits of what's possible in the
world of brewing. https://melvinbrewing.com/
About Ogden Beer Co.
Ogden Beer Co. is a renowned craft brewery based in Ogden, Utah, known for their innovative
and flavorful brews. With a passion for experimentation and a commitment to using the finest
ingredients, they have earned a reputation as one of the premier breweries in the region.
https://www.ogdenbeercompany.com/
About Flathead Valley Hops
Flathead Valley Hops is a family-owned hop farm located in the fertile Flathead Valley of
Montana. They specialize in growing high-quality hops for craft brewers, with a focus on
sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. https://www.flatheadvalleyhops.com/
0 comments (click to read or post):
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment...I do moderate each comment so it may not appear immediately...and please be nice! You can also comment using Disqus (below) or even comment directly on Facebook (bottom).