Organic Malt from a Quality Perspective – what is different compared with traditional products?

In Viking’s portfolio we also have many organic malts. What does ‘organic’ actually mean and what’s the difference between organic and conventional malts?

Background and legislation

Organic production means the use of a production method compliant with the rules established in Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007of 28 June 2007, at all stages of production, preparation and distribution. Comission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 of 5 September 2008 established detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labeling of organic products.

These legal requirements are confirmed by an approved certification body in each country. Control body means an independent third party carrying out inspection and certification in the field of organic production in accordance with the provisions set out under the Regulations.

 

Organic raw materials

All our organic malts are produced from special, carefully selected varieties, grown in accordance with the standards of organic farming.

The organic raw materials used by Viking Malt Group originate from organic farming in Finland, Denmark and Sweden.

 

Organic production

Viking Malt has organic malt production in Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Poland.

Important principles for the processing of organic products include the following:

  • * Strict restriction of which additives and processing aids can be used
  • * Strict restriction of chemically synthesized inputs
  • * Prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
  • * Avoid any mixing with conventional batches.

In practice, we use only water, air and organic raw materials (barley and wheat) for production of our organic malts.

Organic malts have to be separated from conventional products. They are processed and distributed normally but on a smaller scale, and they are subject to regular certifications. Certification body visits our facilities, checks documents and procedures and take samples for control at least once a year.

Our organic products have the same taste profiles as standard products. However, as the raw material quality may have bigger variation from crop to crop, somewhat wider specifications are typically used for defining the Organic Malt quality on specifications

Our Organic Malts

Today Viking Malt’s standard Organic malt portfolio consist of products with wide range of different of product qualities and flavors. These malt types were selected into the portfolio to enable the brewing of a wide range of different beers – lagers, ales, wheat beers, porters etc.

The 6 organic malts available as a standard are:

As a standard these malts are available in 25 kg bags. Following sites have organic malts available in stocks: Lahti and Strzegom (full above offering), Vordingborg and Halmstad (Pilsner Malt). Bulk quantities can be offered upon request.

If the standard portfolio does not answer your demand our Maltster’s Signature category makes it possible to have organic products or readymade blends also outside the standard portfolio. If we can match the production tonnage and your need we have good basis for discussions. This service is perhaps used even more often than many brewers would think. We think it is a very good alternative to consider.

Ask more about our Malts

Marzena Zmijewska            Marzena.zmijewska@vikingmalt.com

Raimo Koljonen                     Raimo.koljonen@vikingmalt.com