RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MALTING INDUSTRY

Abstract

The shortage of labour available for seasonal occupations such as traditional floor malting has led to numerous developments, outstanding among which is the introduction of air-conditioned floor malting. Comparison of the economics of this system with those of drum, case and box makings is difficult; however, whilst the disadvantages of these last-named systems are gradually being overcome so that they can produce consistently good maits, it is doubtful whether their products reach the level of the finest pale-ale malts made on the floor. Kilning practice has seen the introduction of the automatically-controlled oil-fuel burner; the costs and advantages of oil-fuel are discussed. Automatically-controlled grain-drying plant is also available, drying down to 12% moisture in 24 hr. safely and with economy of labour. It is noted that certain six-rowed barleys from Cyprus malt well and might serve as replacements for the Californian barley which is no longer available, whilst new two-rowed hybrids of considerable promise are under trial for growth in Britain.