Today, the American Malting Barley Association (AMBA) recommends 33 different varieties of two-row barley and seven varieties of six-row. Essentially, if a variety makes it on AMBA’s annual list, barley farmers can be confident that they’ll find a buyer.
Sometimes, however, buyers—that is to say, maltsters—are looking for ways to differentiate themselves and deepen local connections. Directly or indirectly, this is in response to demand from brewers (and, most likely, drinkers). A small but significant shift in the field of plant breeding and genetics could signal one direction the brewing industry is heading next.