Entries by Scott Hickman

Riverbend Malt House Named One of Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America

August 16, 2022— Today Inc. named Riverbend Malt House number 2804 on the list of the 5000 fastest growing private companies in America. This achievement comes on the heels of a major facility expansion, which increased Riverbend’s malting capacity by more than 50 percent. 

The annual Inc. 5000 list is one of the most prestigious rankings of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, representing top tier independent small businesses in America.

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Riverbend 10: A Heritage Beer Story

When Riverbend Malt House first got started, many of our small batches were used in seasonal and one-off brewing projects. Craft brewers and distillers were still treading lightly when it came to using craft malt. But Todd Steven Boera of Fonta Flora Brewery was different; he was all in. 

Heritage

Todd reached out to us before he started Fonta Flora in Morganton with the long-term goal of sourcing all of the malt from local sources.

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Riverbend Malt House Announces Major Expansion

ASHEVILLE, NC– Riverbend Malt House announced that installation of its new 10 metric tonne Germination Kiln Vessel (GKV) was completed this week, with first malt production from the unit expected in coming weeks. This equipment complements a new 10 tonne steep tank which was installed earlier this year. Collectively, all of the new equipment in the Asheville-based malt house increases Riverbend’s overall craft malt production capacity by more than 50 percent. 

“Riverbend’s sales grew by more than 40 percent in 2021 and we don’t see that growth rate tapering in 2022,” noted Scott Hickman,

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Combining Efforts, Part 2: Mountain Horticultural Research Station

Read Part 1 of this 2022 harvest series here. 

After a multi-year hiatus driven by the pandemic and site flooding, I’m pleased to report that malting barley field days have returned to the Mountain Horticultural Research Station in Mills River, North Carolina.

This year, participants were treated to presentations from Dr. Angela Post, Dr. Kristin Hicks, and Dr. Ryan Heiniger. Dr. Hicks and Post covered the preliminary results of their five-year study on nitrogen management for malting barley quality and yield.

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Combining Efforts, Part 1: Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center

As the temperatures warm and the barley starts to dry down, I know it is time for a gathering in the fields. Annual field days offer the perfect opportunity for researchers to share their latest work with an audience of interested growers and maltsters. A few weeks ago, we met at the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Warsaw, VA for just such an occasion: Virginia Small Grains Field Day I’m always impressed by the size and scope of the work conducted here— more than 200 acres devoted to a mix of malting barley and red winter wheat research.

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Supply Chain Blues: An Update on the Global Wheat Market

Supply Chain

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, one thing is clear… the global supply chain as we know it is crumbling. Russia and Ukraine are among the largest global producers of wheat, threatening countries around the globe with severe near term shortages as a result of sanctions and port blockades.

Following market prices for wheat only captures one small portion of the unfolding drama. Market prices have a cap that manages the rise in global price per bushel,

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Albright Grove Brewing Co. – Ancient Trees

Brewed in collaboration with Perennial Artisanal Ales, this saison features heirloom Violetta barley, Abruzzi Rye, and soft red wheat locally grown in the southeast and malted by Riverbend Malt. The enigmatic Sacc Trois yeast strain creates a bright, fruity, citrus nose with a balance of black peppercorn and a creamy, silky body with a refreshing dry finish.

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Mainstays Made With Riverbend Chesapeake Pilsner Malt

Chesapeake

Chesapeake Pilsner Malt

Produced using 2-Row barley sourced from Virginia, Chesapeake Pilsner was another malt— like Cumberland Pilsner— created out of our custom craft malt program. It gives a nicely balanced mix of bread crumb and honeysuckle, and is just a touch sweeter than our original 6-row Pilsner. Chesapeake Pilsner’s light color allows for inclusion across a wide range of styles and creates a subtly unique flavor. 

Chesapeake Pilsner is a favorite among our customers,

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Beer Street Journal and Uproxx on Arches Bohemian Riot

We love Arches Bohemian Riot! Uproxx recently asked us about our favorite easy-sippers, and this craft lager made the cut among some other world-class craft beers like Bibo Pils by Creature Comforts and La Petite Prince by Jester King.

This Pilsner first crafted by Arches Brewing in Hapeville, Georgia in 2019 has grown in popularity and availability over the years, reported Beer Street Journal.

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