It’s winter in the valley - the time of the year when everything slows down, snow geese are flying through, and the winter barley is sleeping in the fields. Driving around the valley displays some fields under water, some covered in grazing wildlife, and others waiting for the spring to get new crops planted.
Each year, we contract with growers to plant some winter barley and they love getting it in early, before the ground is too soggy, and getting a head start on next year’s work. But what is the real difference between Winter and Spring barley varieties and how do these differences show up in the brewhouse?
Winter Barley
Benefits
The main values of winter barley are for the grower and the barley itself. With fields getting as wet as they do during the winter, a crop that can go into the ground early (before the fields are wet) allows for a growing season to get a jumpstart. It also helps with erosion stabilization by putting roots into the ground that ends up flooding. For the barley itself, getting that head start allows for more nutrients, a modified growing season, and an earlier harvest. All of these help with reduced disease pressure and stronger plants, increasing yields.
Brewers often link winter barley with the famed variety Maris Otter. Both of our current Winter varieties, Talisman and Wintmalt, are genetic descendants of Maris Otter!
Spring Barley
Benefits
Spring Barley benefits from not having to be in the field all winter. With winter barley, there can be losses due to over flooding, geese migration eating the plants, and temperature. Spring Barley is planted once the ground is dry enough for tractors to return to the fields and has a shorter growing season.
Most North American malting barley is Spring Barley.
For a brewer wanting to encourage grains that help farmers and farmland, Winter Barleys do just that. As we continue to experience changes in our climate, Winter Barley varieties will become more and more important and grown due to their agronomic benefits.
Skagit Valley Malting Winter Varieties: Talisman and Wintmalt.
Skagit Valley Malting Spring Varieties: Pilot, Fritz, Francin, Opera (coming soon!), and Laureate (coming soon!).