E-Malt.com News article: USA: American Malting Barley Association releases annual variety list

The American Malting Barley Association has added ABI Montana to its annual list of recommended varieties for growers for the upcoming crop year.

The list provides farmers with guidance as to what varieties the industry may be contracting or purchasing in the coming year.

Some varieties will be used in large quantities and others only in niche markets, according to an association press release. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local elevator, grain handler or processor to gauge market demand for any variety grown in their region.

ABI Montana is a spring, two-row malting barley variety intended for adjunct brewing. It is primarily adapted to dryland and low-irrigation production systems in northwest Montana.

The variety was brought forth for recommendation from AB InBev. Three varieties were removed from the list due to declining acreage, all released by AB InBev: spring six-row Celebration and two spring two-rows, Conrad and Merit 57.

The association is a nonprofit trade organization representing the interests of malting barley end users, including maltster, brewers, distillers and food processors.

The complete list of recommendations:
Recommended spring varieties:
AAC Connect
AAC Energy
ABI Cardinal
ABI Eagle
ABI Montana
ABI Raptor
ABI Voyager
AC Metcalfe
BC Leandra
Bill Coors 100
CDC Churchill
CDC Copeland
CDC Fraser
Expedition
Explorer
Firefoxx
Hockett
Lacey (six-row variety)
LCS Genie
LCS Odyssey
Legacy (six-row variety)
Mayflower
Moravian 69
Moravian 164
Moravian 165
Moravian 170
Moravian 179
ND Genesis
Newdale
Tradition (six-row variety)

Recommended winter varieties:
Avalon
Endeavor
Flavia
KWS Donau
LCS Violetta
Puffin
Regina
Thunder
Thoroughbred (six-row variety)
Wintmalt



29 January, 2026