Great Western Malting Company (A GrainCorp Business)

What Great Western Malting Company (A GrainCorp Business) does

Great Western Malting Company is a U.S. malting producer founded in 1934 and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. It operates two manufacturing plants — Pocatello, Idaho (225,000 metric tons annual capacity, including a 2017 Buhler-designed expansion) and Vancouver, Washington (110,000 metric tons, focused on specialty malt) — for a combined 335,000 metric tons of installed capacity. Barley and wheat are sourced primarily from growers in five Pacific Northwest states, with the majority of Pocatello's grain originating within 100 miles of the plant.

The company's product portfolio spans base malts (Premium Two Row, Superior Pilsen, White Wheat), crystal and specialty malts (Crystal 15, Munich, Vienna, Dark/Light Munich, Biscuit Rye, Brumalt, Caramel Steam, Mela, Chit), distilling malts (High-Enzyme, Non-GN), identity-preserved single-origin malts (Pure Washington, Pure Oregon, Pure Idaho Pilsner), organic malts, specialty grains (Dextra Pils®, Unmalted White Wheat), and seasonal SKUs such as Pink Boots Malt. Core process technology consists of steeping, germination, kilning, and custom roasting operations, supplemented by the patented Optisteep® water purification system (commissioned March 2022, cutting process water use by up to 30%) and a Malt Innovation Center in Vancouver with a 150kg micro-malting unit, a one-barrel pilot brewery, and an in-house ASBC-trained sensory panel.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time sales of malted barley and specialty grain ingredients to craft breweries (primary), distillers (primary), and food manufacturers (secondary), with a dual-channel go-to-market: bulk pneumatic truckload orders sold directly by the Great Western Malting sales team, and bagged (55 lb) and tote (up to 2,000 lb) products distributed exclusively through Country Malt Group's Vancouver, WA and Chicago, IL centers. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled via direct inquiry. The company is a subsidiary within the United Malt Group of Companies (ultimate parent: United Malt Group Limited, Australia) and operates as part of the Soufflet Malt global brand family of 41 malting plants in 20 countries.

Name

Great Western Malting Company (A GrainCorp Business)

Legal name

Great Western Malting Co

Website

https://greatwesternmalting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Great Western Malting Company, founded in 1934, operates two U.S. malting plants with 335,000 metric tons of combined capacity, producing base, specialty, crystal, and distilling malts for craft breweries, distillers, and food manufacturers across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Malt Ingredients for Brewing and Distilling

NAICS

Malt Manufacturing (311213)

SIC

Grain Mill Products (2040)

akta.pro primary industry

Fermentation Substrates & Sugars (Molasses, Glucose Syrups, Lactose, Malt Extract) (AFAJAJAI)

Keywords

• Malt production
• Brewing ingredients
• Distilling malts
• Specialty grains
• Barley malting

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Malt Ingredient Sales: Great Western Malting generates revenue through the sale of malted barley and specialty grain products to craft breweries, distillers, and food industry customers. Products are sold in bulk (pneumatic truck loads) directly and through bagged/tote formats via Country Malt Group distribution.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Great Western Malting Company produces malted barley and specialty grain products for craft breweries, distillers, and food manufacturers. The company operates two production facilities—Pocatello, Idaho (225,000 metric tons capacity) and Vancouver, Washington (110,000 metric tons capacity)—and offers base malts, crystal malts, specialty malts, distilling malts, identity preserved malts, organic malts, and specialty grains sourced from Pacific Northwest barley growers.

Product overview

Great Western Malting Company is a malt producer offering a comprehensive portfolio of grain ingredients for brewing, distilling, and food applications. The product portfolio consists of multiple product lines: Base Malts (Premium Two Row, Superior Pilsen, Pale High Color, White Wheat, Low Color Wheat), Crystal Malts (Crystal 15), Specialty Malts (Munich, Dark Munich, Light Munich, Vienna, Biscuit Rye, Brumalt, Caramel Steam, Mela, Chit), Distilling Malts (High-Enzyme, Non-GN), Identity Preserved Malts (Pure Idaho, Pure Oregon, Pure Washington), Specialty Grains (Dextra Pils, Unmalted White Wheat), Organic Malts, and the specialty Pink Boots Malt. Products are manufactured at two facilities in Pocatello, Idaho and Vancouver, Washington, with barley sourced from the Pacific Northwest across five states. The company also operates a Malt Innovation Center for customer product development and trialing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Base Malts Core malt products including Premium Two Row, Superior Pilsen, Pale High Color, Low Color Wheat, and White Wheat malts used as foundational ingredients in brewing and distilling.
• Specialty Malts Premium roasted and kilned malts including Crystal, Munich, Vienna, Dark Munich, Light Munich, Biscuit Rye, Brumalt, Caramel Steam, Mela, and Chit malts that add color, flavor, and character to beers.
• Crystal Malts Crystal malts created in custom-designed roasting drums providing flavors from soft caramel to dark toffee, including Crystal 15 Malt.
• Distilling Malts Specialty malts for whiskey and spirits production including High-Enzyme Malt and Non-GN Malt designed for efficient alcohol production.
• Identity Preserved Malts Single-origin malts sourced from specific regions including Pure Idaho Pilsner, Pure Oregon, and Pure Washington malts.
• Organic Malts Certified organic malt products including Organic Premium Two Row and Organic Crystal varieties.
• Specialty Grains Non-malted grains including Dextra Pils and Unmalted White Wheat that contribute body, haze, and mouthfeel to beers.
• White Wheat Malt Premium wheat malt grown exclusively in the Pacific Northwest, fully malted and kilned to develop soft balanced sweetness, high extract, and light bready flavor. Color SRM 3.0-4.4.
• Biscuit Rye Malt 100% malted rye roasted in custom-designed drums in Vancouver, Washington. Provides toasted, biscuit-forward flavors with classic rye spice. Color SRM 15-25.
• Superior Pilsen Malt Two-row pilsner malt produced with lower protein barley and delicate kilning for accentuated extract and low color formation. Color SRM 1.3-1.7.
• Chit Malt Under modified premium 2-row barley slightly malted to retain protein and regional grain characteristics. Enhances haze stability, foam retention, and mouthfeel. Color SRM 2.0.
• Brumalt American-style honey malt with tart but slightly sweet profile delivering lively fruity complexity. Adds depth and complexity to craft beers. Color Profile: Deep Amber.
• Dextra Pils Unique malt utilizing a process to gelatinize starch within the kernel, adding body and foam stability without influencing color or flavor. Color SRM <1.5.
• Pure Washington Malt 100% Washington-grown barley, fully-modified and gently dried base malt with balanced flavor profile from Palouse region. Color SRM 1.6-2.3.
• Pure Oregon Malt 100% Oregon-grown barley, fully-modified and gently dried base malt designed to be at the heart of craft brewing.
• Premium Two Row Malt Pinnacle base malt produced from Western U.S. barley, processed meticulously for balanced flavor profile. Color SRM 1.8-2.2.
• Crystal 15 Malt Crystal malt created in custom-designed roasting drums from Pacific Northwest barley, providing light caramel with bright sweetness and delicate malty flavor. Color SRM 12-18.
• High-Enzyme Malt Distilling malt with high enzyme levels allowing efficient alcohol production without compromising essential flavors in distillate. Color SRM 1.5-2.2.
• Non-GN Malt Specialty malt from non-glycosidic nitrile producing barley varieties (non-GN) for superior spirits yield in American single malt whiskey production.
• Pure Idaho Pilsner Malt 100% Idaho-grown barley, fully-modified and gently dried unique pilsner malt with light color and balanced flavor profile. Color Profile: Straw Yellow.
• Pink Boots Malt Seasonal craft base malt featuring Odyssey barley variety, appropriate for brewing and distilling. Supports Pink Boots Society scholarship fund. Color SRM 1.6.
• White Wheat Unmalted Pacific Northwest grown unmalted white wheat providing additional body, foam stability, and desirable cloudiness for Belgian and hazy beer styles. Color SRM 1.4-3.0.
• Caramel Steam Malt Innovative malt using steam to develop crystal characteristics with delicate sweetness and reduced astringency. Alternative to traditional crystal malts. Color SRM 35-45.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water consumption reduced by up to 30% during malting process through Optisteep® technology

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Soufflet MaltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreat Western Malting is part of the Soufflet Malt family of brands, a global network of 41 malting plants in 20 countries. This partnership provides access to extensive expertise of maltsters across the globe while maintaining regional character and quality. Soufflet Malt values drive sustainability initiatives and innovation in malting and farming practices.
• Country Malt GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCountry Malt Group serves as the exclusive distribution partner for bagged malt products from Great Western Malting. The partnership includes a malt bag recycling program at Country Malt Group's Vancouver, WA and Chicago, IL distribution centers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Crisp Malting Group: British maltster with growing North American craft footprint, particularly in specialty and heritage varieties. Comparable in craft/specialty malt positioning but geographically distant from GWM's PNW barley supply.
• Weyermann Specialty Malts: German specialty malt producer well-known in US craft brewing for its broad portfolio of base, caramel, and roasted malts. Comparable as a craft-focused specialty malt brand but primarily serves North America via import rather than domestic production.
• Simpsons Malt: UK-based maltster with a heritage base malt and specialty portfolio, exporting significantly into North American craft. Comparable in specialty malt expertise, though it does not compete domestically in US production.

Others

• Country Malt Group: Sister company under the same Soufflet Malt umbrella and exclusive distributor of GWM's bagged malt. Comparable as a craft-brewing malt distribution channel and ecosystem partner rather than a direct manufacturing competitor.
• BSG Craftbrewing (Brewers Supply Group): Major US distributor of brewing ingredients including specialty malts from multiple producers. Comparable as a craft-brewing malt distribution channel and indirect competitor for craft brewery shelf-space.

Direct peers

• Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. US-based maltster offering base, specialty, and extract malts (including malted rye and wheat) to craft brewers and food manufacturers. Directly comparable in serving the PNW/midwest craft segment with specialty malt differentiation.
• Viking Malt: European-headquartered specialty maltster with operations serving craft brewers in Europe and North America. Comparable in specialty malt focus and craft customer orientation, though smaller in PNW barley origination.
• Rahr Malting Company: One of the largest North American maltsters, supplying base and specialty malts to craft and macro brewers. Highly comparable in product portfolio (base, specialty, distilling malts), US footprint, and customer focus on craft breweries.

Broad incumbents

• Malteurop North America (Vivescia): Global malt producer with significant North American capacity, serving both macro brewers and craft customers. Comparable as a competing malt supplier at scale but with broader geographic and customer reach than GWM.
• Cargill Malt (now Boortmalt / Cargill): Global integrated grain and malt supplier with North American operations following Boortmalt's acquisition of Cargill Malt. Competes on scale, integrated barley origination, and full base/specialty malt range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@greatwesternmalting
• Facebookfacebook.com/greatwesternmalt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/great-western-malting-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/greatwesternmalt

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Great Western Malting Company (A GrainCorp Business)