UK: Two new spring barley varieties seen as suitable for malt distilling and brewing

The high yielding variety Odyssey has been awarded the prestigious accolade of full approval for malt distilling use, and has been granted Provisional Approval 2 for brewing, Farming UK reported on July, 4.

Overture, also from the Limagrain breeding line, has been granted Provisional Approval 2 for both brewing and malt distilling.

This is very good news for spring malting barley growers who have already demonstrated their commitment in the varieties since their launch in in 2011. Odyssey in particular has seen strong interest from the market place offering a 6% yield increase over the benchmark variety, Concerto.

“Both Odyssey and Overture are bred from the Concerto line; Concerto is the only UK spring malting barley variety which holds IBD approval for both distilling and malting, and also French CBMO approval. In fact, Concerto’s consistent quality, high yield and across the board market acceptance have seen it termed the ‘new Optic’ by the industry,” says Mark Glew senior barley breeder for Limagrain.

“We are particularly excited about the interest being shown in Odyssey, and do believe that this ‘son of Concerto’ has the potential to be as big a variety as Concerto in the future.”

With the sound genetics of Concerto crossed with Quench behind the variety, Odyssey’s high yields (106%) stiff straw and robust disease resistance ratings, make it a grower friendly variety. In addition, its quality attributes make it appealing across markets; Odyssey has a specific weight of 67.7kg/hl on the HGCA recommended list.”

“In terms of quality, both varieties are GN-non producers, and as we know, the Scottish distilling market is totally geared towards distilling, and has a requirement for non-GN. In England, buyers are looking for more marketing flexibility; distilling is growing, brewing is not so non-GN becomes an important consideration.”

“Varieties that can offer this flexibility in marketing and are more universal in their offer will without doubt become increasingly important. Testing by the IBD continues, and next year we hope to be able to communicate further progress on these approvals next summer.”

“In France both varieties have been promoted into the first year of commercial scale trials for the CBMO, and are performing very well as they progress through the system,” he adds.

“There is significant interest in these varieties across the rest of the continent, demonstrated by the numerous trials across the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. Both varieties are also well advanced across Scandinavia, particularly in Denmark and Sweden, and they continue to be developed in Spain. In addition, private malting trials are planned in Poland and Hungary. I think we can safely say that Odyssey and Overture are true pan European varieties.”

04 July, 2013