Suffolk maltster, Muntons, shares the secret of its sustainability success

It is no secret that a lot of energy and water are used in producing malt, making it a major contributor to the carbon footprint of beer. We talk to Muntons, widely regarded as one of the world’s most sustainable maltsters, as the company shares its story of how it is reducing the environmental impact of malt, safeguarding it in centuries old heritage beer brands as brewers look for opportunities to form sustainable supply chains from grain to glass

“To us, sustainability is defined by the need to make meaningful long-term systemic changes To do that well, you must truly know your business,” explains Adrian Dyter, Head of Procurement & Technical for Muntons.

“Creating the first malting barley carbon calculator gave us the data and knowledge to meaningfully change our environmental and social governance and underpin lower carbon supply chains The time taken to measure and baseline our data back in 2007 has proven invaluable Not least of all because we can see where we can make the most impactful changes but also demonstrate how far we have come “Our biggest carbon reduction opportunities involve the growing of malting barley from our farmers and the energy we use Focusing on the areas is making the most significant difference to Green House Gas Emissions. Real action we can pass on to our customers.”

Global drinks giants, Heineken and Suntory are not only sourcing low carbon, 100% sustainable malt from Muntons but are working with the supplier and its partner farmers to radically change the way the barley is grown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%*

Muntons has received a number of accolades including Global Brewing Supplier 2022 for its practical work in sustainability, championing pioneering programmes in malt production and demystifying the world of carbon for the wider food and drinks industry The company has recently been awarded a Platinum Medal for the second year running by the world’s most trusted sustainability ratings organisation, EcoVadis This places the maltster in the top 1% of companies globally for its sustainability performance

The company has invested in novel applications of technology across its Suffolk and Yorkshire plants including green energy generated from waste water treatment that enables the company to recycle and be a valued contributor to the local river network

Muntons is already seeing decarbonisation of its UK maltings by around70% Having been in the earliest cohort of manufacturers and the only maltster to set Science Based Targets reducing its GHG emissions by 45% by 2025 and to be Net Zero by 2050, the progress it have made so far has given the firm confidence to challenge itself even further, bringing forward its net zero target by 2 decades to 2030

*Early trials are producing certified carbon negative barley and expecting to show reduced GHG emissions by 50% for the growing of malting barley Data source Sustainable Futures Ltd 2022

See Muntons at BeerX - stand 145

Above: Muntons Maltings and Malted Ingredients site in Stowmarket ”

Below left: Muntons’ anaerobic digestor has now generated over 17 million kWh of electricity for the plant

For further information: muntons.com

Siebel Institute introduces Sensory Training Kit for Sour Beer

To assess brewers’ abilities to perceive the characteristics of each of these compounds and/or be able to detect off-flavour linked to souring, a Siebel Institute Sour Sensory Training Kit has been developed which allows the compounds to be mixed with beer to mimic their sensory impact

The Siebel Institute Sour Sensory Training Kit offers 6 vials with different compounds that cover a spectrum of organic acids, Diacetyl and one biogenic amine (cadaverine) commonly produced by microbiological acidifying agents such as bacteria Each vial allows for spiking 1 liter of beer As with the other kits, the Sour Sensory Training Kit is shipped in ready-touse liquid form, making them as easy to use as possible

For further information: www siebelinstitute com/sensorykits