Our Team

Meet the maltsters behind Riverbend Malt House.

Why Us?

Local Flavor

Our Story

Sustainability

Employment

BRENT MANNING

Co-Founder, Certified Cicerone®

After nearly a decade as an environmental consultant, I’ve spent the last decade immersed in the wonderful world of craft malt. Since our inception, I’ve worn just about every hat. Production, bookkeeping, research, sales, you name it. Along the way I helped co-found the North American Craft Maltsters Guild and currently serve as President. I take great pride in the success we’ve had creating this new industry and look forward to seeing to grow in the years ahead.

BRIAN SIMPSON

Co-Founder, CEO

Like Brent, I spent quite a bit of time getting degrees and working in the consulting world. After a stint helping to operate a biofuels business, I realized that starting my own sustainable business was where my passion was evolving. The burgeoning beer boom in Asheville seemed like an obvious draw for many reasons – the most important fact being that it was an opportunity to help local craft brewers stand apart from the rest of the country by offering a locally-sourced product. When I am not working with malt, you might be able to find me out running on one of the many trails in Western NC.