11 Latin America Brewing Companies to Consider Buying Montana Barley

Cervesa por favor? This week, 11 Latin American beer company officials will be investigating the quality of Montana’s Malt Barley crop as part of a trade team. According to Cassidy Marn from the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, purchases from these companies could bring a lot of relief to Montana Barley growers.

"For the last 10 years we really saw a major decline in barley acres grown in the state. The price just wasn't great. It really wasn't worth it for farmers to put barley in the ground. We've seen a lot of companies come into Montana and increase that competition, so the more options a producer has, the better."

Traditionally, beer producers have used six row barley, which doesn’t grow very easy in Montana’s climate. However, changing beer tastes have brought new focus on two row barley, a strain that grows exceptionally well here.

"We grow the highest quality malt barley in the world. We have the best prices, we have a good, competitive market. You know, Miller- Coors, Anheuser-Busch, are all represented in the state. They know what great quality we have. Our barley is really becoming more interesting in the microbrewery industry as well."

Marn says Montana’s dry climate gives it an edge over the competition because the barley is less likely to contract diseases or spoil.