The U.S. Grains Council (USGC), in collaboration with the Brewers Association and the Idaho Barley Commission, recently sponsored a delegation of craft brewers and malt distributors from China, Japan and Southeast Asia. The group participated in a tour of the U.S. barley value chain in Idaho and attended the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America in Indiana, aiming to strengthen trade relationships and promote U.S. barley and malt.
“This dual-focused initiative was aimed at delivering comprehensive education and facilitating networking opportunities between the beer supply chain and prospective international buyers of U.S. barley and malt,” said Tommy Hamamoto, USGC director in Japan.
The tour commenced in Indianapolis at the Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America, where the international team:
Met with U.S. growers and exporters, including USGC members Cold Stream Malt and Grain and Two Track Malting, to learn about their services.
Attended educational seminars covering malt applications, overviews of domestic barley production, and best practices for storage and handling.
