So, I am not into preservatives, GMO(s), etc in my beers which is one reason I Homebrew: I know the ingredients and limit them to grain, hops, water, and yeast. I’d like to know your retail source of Certified Organic Malt.
Personally, I think the whole GMO thing is blown way out of proportion. Do you distinguish between mutagenics and transgenics? Golden promise is a mutagenic variety, i.e. developed by irradiating seeds and young plants.
I personally don’t sell out organic or non GMO varieties because there are a lot of issues with both designations. Organic doesn’t mean they don’t use pesticides, herbicides, etc. It just means like use some from a specific list. GMO designations depend on what country, etc. You’re from. Some GMO’s are incredibly beneficial, for example, they made a variety of rice with additional nutrients and greatly reduced malnutrition in the third world.
A google search nets quite a few results.
Bestmalz (of Red X fame) is organic.
While the GMO rice does have more nutrients than similarly polished rice, existing natural whole rice species supply the same nutrients.
Northern Brewer carries a line of Breiss malts labeled Certified Organic.
Let me rephrase: I understand that I can google and I understand that not everyone agrees. The question is where do you get your organic malt. I imagine that recommendation would come with a reason (I.e. Selection, price, availability, etc). If you don’t buy organic malt or don’t agree with the organic concept I understand. That’s your prerogative but not my question. Thanks.
According to the AMBA, there are no GMO barley varieties for sale or approved for commercial production in North America.
http://ambainc.org/content/58/gm-statements
Briess carries a comprehensive line of certified organic malts. I’ve purchased them from NB plenty of times, but haven’t checked other suppliers.
Thanks!
They state that no TRANSGENIC varieties are available. The issue there is no differentiation between transgenics and mutagenics. Transgenics use CRISPR or other methods to induce a change, mutagenics use radiation. It’s the difference between a scalpel and a rock. My source (Among others):
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2007/08/28/science/28crop.html
Different countries have different definitions of GMO, the US typically only considers transgenics. I believe Canada and Europe are stricter.
Personally, to answer the question, is order from More Beer or great fermentations as my local shops have very limited stock. GF and MB are independent and support advancing home brewing. GF is localish.
I prefer GF but in response to a note I sent, they don’t plan to stock organic without more demand. Otherwise they are my go-to.
Weyermann also has organic malts. Not sure whether they are available where Hershey’s is King.
I think the problem with making organic beer is finding hops. There’s a very limited choice. In Belgium there are quite a bit organic beers, but most of them I don’t like much. The only really good ones are Dupont and Cantillon.
Yep, they are. And I haven’t eaten Hershey’s in years.
Always the rebel.
The Weyermann Bio malts don’t meet the organic qualifications in the USA. Believe it or not!
Of course, when judging a mead category at a local competition, a mead with organic fruit was one we judged, and after reading the entry info, the guy across from me asked “what is the difference for organic fruit?”. The lady who was stewarding did not bat an eye and said “2$ a pound”. I say this as an anecdotal story, and am not throwing organic under the bus.
I’ve been having a problem sourcing organics as well. I used to get everything from Seven Bridges Coop in CA. They had a full line of organic malts and hops. However, since they went out of business, Northern Brewer seems to be the only retailer left.
I called Rahr directly a couple years ago and they told me that there is no GMO barley strain currently on the market. To the OP - I pick up some organic barley at Northern Brewer, but I don’t use all organic grains.
Thanks!
Gambrinus is a good source for organic malts. They carry several varieties in “organic” form and most USA homebrew shops have access to them (perhaps a special order though). Pale, pils, Munich10, and wheat in organic form. The non-organic malts I’ve used of theirs has been excellent quality.