Riverbend Malt House Announces “Stay Home/Stay Asheville” Collaboration Project
Proceeds to benefit New Belgium’s Bar and Restaurant Relief Fund
Asheville, NC – April 21st, 2020. Riverbend Malt House today announced the release of “Stay Home/Stay Asheville” IPA on April 25th, 2020.
This beer was the result of a large collaboration organized by Riverbend’s co-founder Brent Manning. Participating breweries include Archetype Brewing Company, Bhramari Brewing Company, DSSOLVR Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing Company, and Twin Leaf Brewing Company. Ingredients were donated by Riverbend Malt House, White Labs Yeast, and several of the breweries.
“We wanted to do something to support all the service industry employees that are vital to the brewing industry here in Asheville,” said Brent Manning, “this collaboration project provides the perfect vehicle to generate financial assistance.”
The Stay Home/Stay Asheville IPA features Julius, Strata, Moutere, and Southern Cross hops which combine to create a tropical blend of papaya and orange zest, that finishes with a touch dank, pine resin, just like opening a bottle of Jarritos Passionfruit soda! White Labs contributed a strain of Kveik yeast called Hornindal that contributes a nice mix of stone fruit and peppercorn flavor that compliments the hop character. Riverbend contributed three types of malted oats along with their Vienna and Base Camp malts to create a silky and rich malt backbone. The beer was brewed and packaged at Bhramari Brewing Company. DSSOLVR provided the can design, which features the iconic grain silo that resides in Asheville’s River Arts District.
“We had an absolute blast coming up with this recipe,” said Tim Weber, owner of Twin Leaf Brewing Company, “Gary from Bhramari hosted us in grand fashion and it was a welcome relief from the stress of the pandemic.”
This beer will be available in 4-packs of 16 ounce cans at Bhramari Brewing Company and Archetype Brewing Company’s West Asheville location on April 25th, 2020.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries. www.riverbendmalt.com
Collaboration Participants:
Archetype Brewing Company – www.archetypebrewing.com/ Bhramari Brewing Company – www.bhramaribrewing.com/ DSSOLVR Brewing Company – www.dssolvr.com
New Belgium Brewing Company – www.newbelgium.com Twin Leaf Brewing Company – www.twinleafbrewery.com White Lab Yeast – www.whitelabs.com
About the New Belgium Bar and Restaurant Relief Fund
The New Belgium Bar and Restaurant Relief Fund supports food and beverage communities in our hometowns of Fort Collins, Colorado and Asheville, North Carolina, who are in need of financial assistance due to the COVID-19 economic disruption. https://secure.givelively.org/donate/new-belgium-coworker-assistance-fund- inc/new-belgium-bar-restaurant-relief-fund
For further information contact Brent Manning (828-450-1081) brent@riverbendmalt.com
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Riverbend Malt House Announces Custom Malt Program
Brewers and distillers partner with Riverbend to craft individually designed grist solutions.
Asheville, NC – October 22nd, 2019. Riverbend Malt House proudly announces its Custom Malt Program, allowing craft brewers and distillers to create unique one-off malts to set their products apart with help from the team at Riverbend Malt House’s production facility in Asheville. The service is currently available to any brewery or distillery within Riverbend’s distribution radius.
Historically available only to larger, national-scale beverage producers, custom malt development capabilities such as those offered by Riverbend bring previously inaccessible malt processes to regionally focused brewhouses and distilleries. The Riverbend team takes brewers and distillers behind the scenes, giving them direct access to research and development projects and a hands-on role in tailoring a malt to fit their needs.
“We needed a malt to make our Bohemian Pilsner stand out, and using local grain jibes with our brand values, so we turned to Riverbend,” notes Justin Ramirez, head brewer at Arches Brewing of Georgia. “The process was incredibly easy, and having the entire batch dedicated to us really streamlined the inventory side of things. We liked it so much, we had them make it again for some other small-batch beers.”
Riverbend offers brewers and distillers the ability to customize every aspect of their malt, from selecting locally sourced or estate grown grain to specifying target color and enzymatic levels. Further specialization can be achieved through traditional floor malting techniques, a time-honored process few others in the industry offer. These efforts are personally overseen by Riverbend co-founders Brent Manning and Brian Simpson, who are on hand to advise on grain selection, germination periods and kilning temperatures to develop distinctive malts.
“Working directly with Brent and Brian, we spent hours sampling hot steeps and combing through sensory notes to find the profile we were looking for,” says Reed Odeneal, co-founder and director of brewing operations at Florida-based Perfect Plain Brewing. “We wanted to create a malt that was subtle enough to utilize in an array of delicate lagers yet expressive enough to add a warm, rustic character suited for beers brewed with purpose. Small maltsters like Riverbend Malt House are pioneering a malting revolution and giving brewers new ways to introduce a sense of place in their beers. It’s a revolution that we’re proud and excited to be a part of.”
Building a custom malt with Riverbend grants a competitive advantage to breweries and distilleries seeking a definitive point of differentiation to attract consumers who care about quality and locality. To learn more about Riverbend’s Custom Malt Program, or to start crafting the perfect malt for your own product lines, visit: https://riverbendmalt.com/malts/custom-malts/.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries. www.riverbendmalt.com
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com
For immediate release
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For immediate release
Riverbend Malt House Announces Initial Participants in Craft Malt Program
New Craft Maltsters Guild program recognizes Breweries and Distilleries which support local craft malt
The Craft Malt Certified™ Seal Program
Asheville, NC – September 13th, 2019. Riverbend Malt House today announced partnerships with five of the initial participants in the Certified Craft Malt Seal program, a new national-scale initiative developed by the Craft Maltsters Guild. The Seal program allows partner brewers and distillers to signify their commitment to utilizing locally sourced raw materials through a trademarked seal available for marketing and labeling purposes. The Guild program was officially unveiled on Friday, September 13th, in conjunction with a series of nationwide Craft Malt Day events.
The First of Its Kind
The first program of its kind in the craft malt industry, the Certified Craft Malt Seal is available to all breweries or distilleries sourcing 10 percent or more of their grain from craft maltsters, either for specific individual beverages or across the entire production lineup. The Seal provides an opportunity for product differentiation within a crowded marketplace in which discerning customers are increasingly choosing to support local businesses with their beverage spending. Craft Maltsters Guild certification requires sponsorship from a maltster member of the Guild.
“We’re very happy for this increased level of certification to become available,” notes William Goldberg, Co-Founder and Head Distiller at Oak and Grist Distillery. “We’re committed to using local malt such as Riverbend because it allows us to create a unique product emphasizing our native terroir, and the Craft Malt Seal lets our customers know just how important that is to us.”
A New Level of Distinction
Choosing local malt provides craft beer and spirits producers with a compelling narrative focused not only on supporting small businesses and increasing environmental sustainability within the supply chain but also on creating products that stand out. The Certified Craft Malt Seal gives brewers and distillers a simplified means of conveying that narrative to consumers.
“As a small business, we feel a strong moral and ethical obligation to support our neighbors,” explains DSSOLVR Brewing Company Co-Founder and Head Brewer Vince Tursi. “Beyond that, sourcing grist from local malt houses gives us something we can’t get from the big guys. Local maltsters like Riverbend process differently and provide a fresher product, giving us the rustic flavor profiles we’re aiming for while giving our beers a sense of place. The Seal lets us express that to our customers with a simple image.”
In addition to Oak and Grist and DSSOLVR, other Asheville-area breweries committed to the Certified Craft Malt Seal program brewery-wide include Burial Beer Co., Bhramari Brewing, and Brouwerij Cursus Keme. Breweries and distilleries interested in using the Seal can find more information and apply for certification at https://craftmalting.com/the-guild/membership/
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family-owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high-quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries.
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com
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Riverbend Malt House Announces Hull and Oats
New specialty grain ideal for hazy IPAs
Asheville, NC – August 20th, 2019. Riverbend Malt House today announced the immediate availability of Hull and Oats, a new specialty oat malt. Crafted to provide a balanced element in styles that benefit from enhanced viscosity, Hull and Oats is a perfect complement to popular styles ranging from adjunct stouts to hazy IPAs.
Utilizing the Brooks oat variety developed by North Carolina State University with an eye toward high protein levels and disease resistance, Hull and Oats maintains Riverbend’s commitment to sourcing local ingredients by partnering with small family farms in neighboring Virginia. Hull and Oats was designed with beer production in mind, with the oat hulls providing a natural filter and a 14 percent protein level to deliver a smooth, silky mouthfeel.
“We are really excited to expand our catalog with the release of Hull and Oats,” noted Brent Manning, Co-Founder and head of product development for Riverbend. “They deliver a sweet, creamy flavor to a wide variety of styles including hazy IPAs. The contributions to mouthfeel and body are substantial given the elevated protein levels.”
In a crowded segment such as hazy IPA, utilizing premium malts can be a valuable point of differentiation, and choosing hulled oats over flaked or rolled alternatives can make a brewer’s finished beer stand out from the pack. Riverbend has met with robust demand for its superior specialty products, and Hull and Oats is no exception.
“I have no doubt that Riverbend will see great success with Hull and Oats, people really want their oats right now,” points out Bhramari Brewing Company Owner and Head Brewer Gary Sernack. “We’ve always loved working with Streaker Oats in the past, but for Neon Ghosts we wanted to keep innovating. Hull and Oats delivered the flavor profile our customers are looking for, giving the beer something new and different while maintaining the local connection that’s so important to us. It’s now our best selling beer, and that says something about the quality of Riverbend’s oats.”
Riverbend’s Hull and Oats is in stock now and available for immediate delivery, with same-day shipping available on eligible orders placed before noon, Monday through Thursday.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries. www.riverbendmalt.com
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com
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Riverbend Malt House Announces Vienna Malt
Traditional malt ideal for Märzens and other Lagers
Asheville, NC – July 23rd, 2019. Riverbend Malt House today announced the immediate availability of its new Vienna malt. Just in time for Festbier season, this traditional German- style malt consists of 2-row barley grown on local, family-owned farms and delicately kilned at warmer temperatures than a pale malt to achieve the classic flavor profiles found in the world’s best autumn lagers.
Ideal as a base malt for robust Märzens, Riverbend Vienna Malt is also well suited to complement grist bills for malt-forward lager styles such as Helles. Its high level of diastatic power (>100) allows Riverbend Vienna Malt to be incorporated into a wide variety of styles without sacrificing efficiency. Vienna is a versatile, 3 Lovibond malt that can be incorporated seamlessly into fall seasonals, as well as year-round flagship beers.
“Developing a Vienna-style malt was an exciting challenge for us,” noted Brent Manning, Co- Founder and head of product development for Riverbend. “We wanted to create a rich, flavorful malt that delivered complex aromatics and biscuity flavor while maintaining the diastatic power of a base malt.”
Riverbend’s Vienna Malt has received glowing reviews from early adopters, including Georgia- based Arches Brewing Co. Arches Head Brewer Justin Ramirez, who selected Vienna when redesigning the next iteration of the brewery’s Festbier, was particularly pleased with Riverbend’s newest offering.
“As a brewery that cares a lot about quality and where our grain comes from, we were thrilled to be able to locally source such a high-quality malt. We really enjoyed the character exhibited from adding a small amount to our Low Viz IPA, and we look forward to seeing it represented as a large part of the grain bill in our Festbier.” explained Ramirez. “We needed an efficient malt that was also distinctive enough to make our new IPA pop, and Riverbend’s Vienna exceeded our expectations. We work with Riverbend Malt frequently at Arches, and we’re excited for the possibilities this new product opens for future beers.”
Riverbend’s Vienna Malt is in stock now and available for immediate delivery, with same-day shipping available on eligible orders placed before noon, Monday through Thursday.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries. www.riverbendmalt.com
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com
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Non-GMO Malt Ideal for Mexican Lagers, Cream Ales, Craft Bourbons and Moonshine
Asheville, NC – June 25th, 2019. Riverbend Malt House today announced the immediate availability of its new non-GMO Cumberland Corn Malt™. Sourced from grain grown on local, family-owned farms, Cumberland is malted from food-grade dent corn and delivers superior flavor when compared to traditional flaked material.
“As summer heats up a number of our customers are brewing lighter beers such as Mexican lagers, cream ales and pre-Prohibition lagers,” noted Brent Manning, Co-Founder and head of product development for Riverbend. “Our Cumberland corn malt gives those beers a richer, sweeter flavor without the need for a cereal mash.”
“We use Riverbend’s Cumberland Corn Malt™ in Cerveza, our new Mexican Lager,” remarked Cris Ellenbecker, Brewmaster for Yee-Haw Brewing in Johnson City, TN. “It performed well in the brewhouse, and we love sourcing from local farmers.”
Riverbend’s Cumberland Corn Malt™ is in stock and available for immediate delivery in 50 pound sacks or 2000 pounds supersacks. Orders of 2000 pounds or less which are received by noon Monday-Thursday ship same-day.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries.
www.riverbendmalt.com
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com
Flaked Products Ideal for Hazy IPAs, Farmhouse Ales
Asheville, NC – May 21st, 2019. Riverbend Malt House today announced the immediate availability of its new Flaked Wheat and Flaked Rye. Sourced principally from grain grown on local, family-owned farms, these flaked products join Riverbend’s expanding product line of base and specialty malts.
Responding to increasing demand from craft brewers for new ingredients which complement hazy IPAs and barrel-aged sours, these new flaked materials have been specifically designed to help head retention and to provide velvety body in highly attenuated styles.
“As the hazy IPA craze has increased, so has the need for flaked ingredients,” noted Brent Manning, Co-Founder and head of product development for Riverbend. “Flaked wheat and rye beautifully accent hazy IPAs and farmhouse ales, allowing brewers to round out their locally-sourced grist and produce an ale with a distinctive terroir.”
“We use Riverbend’s Flaked Wheat, Flaked Rye, and Appalachian Malted Wheat in Starchaser, our year-round White Ale,” remarked Trace Redmond, R&D Brewer for Highland Brewing in Asheville, NC. “Their products form a great foundation for integrating the spicy notes from the yeast, ginger, and coriander in this beer. We wanted to create a beer that fit the flavors and climate of the Southeast and Riverbend Malt helps us achieve that.”
Riverbend’s Flaked Wheat and Flaked Rye ingredients are in stock and available for immediate delivery in 40 pound sacks.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries.
www.riverbendmalt.com
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com
Lighter 1.8-2.2L malt ideal for IPAs and Lagers
Asheville, NC – April 9th, 2019. Riverbend Malt House today announced the immediate availability of its new “Base Camp Extra Pale” 2-row malt. Sourced from grain grown on local, family-owned farms, Base Camp joins the expanding family of 2-row base malts in the Riverbend craft malt product line. Responding to increasing demand from craft brewers for a light base malt in the 1.8 to 2.2 Lovibond color range, Base Camp provides a delicate malt character suitable for lighter-bodied beers such as India Pale Ales and Lagers.
“Base Camp is a lighter malt which broadens our portfolio, giving brewers more flexibility in beer recipe development,” noted Brent Manning, Founder and head of product development for Riverbend. “Riverbend is continuing to add to our line of southern grown 2-row barley products and Base Camp is a natural evolution.”
Legion Brewing in Charlotte, NC is using Base Camp as the foundation for its American Wheat Ale, in conjunction with other Riverbend malts. “The malt provides a phenomenal backbone with a unique regional character that helps define our product,” remarked Scott Griffin, Legion’s Head Brewer. “We look forward to using Base Camp in other styles and capacities.”
Riverbend’s “Base Camp Extra Pale” malt is in stock and available for immediate delivery.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries.
www.riverbendmalt.com
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com
New craft malt broadens Riverbend specialty product line
Asheville, NC – Nov 29, 2018. Riverbend Malt House today announced the immediate availability of its new malted oats product. Sourced from North Carolina family-owned farms, these oats add a new grain category to Riverbend’s broad line of premium quality 6-row barley, 2-row barley, wheat and rye malts.
“This is a significant addition to our product line,” noted Brent Manning, founder and head of product development for Riverbend. “We worked closely with North Carolina State University to develop a proprietary hull-less oat variety that works well in a variety of beer styles.”
“We’ve used Riverbend’s malt for years because we appreciate the quality and commitment to North Carolina farmers,” remarked Zach Newton, head brewer at Newgrass Brewing in Shelby, North Carolina. “The new malted oats allow us to create a 100% local malt recipe for the wildly popular New England IPA’s which our customers enjoy.”
Riverbend’s malted oats are in stock and available for immediate delivery.
About Riverbend Malt House
Riverbend Malt House, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Asheville, NC, is one of the original craft malting facilities in the US. Utilizing grain sourced from local, family owned farmers, Riverbend malt fuels high quality, unique beverages produced by hundreds of North America’s finest craft breweries and distilleries.
www.riverbendmalt.com
Press and Sales contact:
Matt Thompson, Sales Director 206.799.0999 matt@riverbendmalt.com