Craft Maltsters Guild Opens Registration For 2027 Malt Cup Submissions

Craft Maltsters Guild Opens Registration

The Craft Maltsters Guild is preparing to celebrate another year of excellence in specialty malt with the return of the Malt Cup, the only competition in the world dedicated exclusively to maltsters. Now entering its ninth year, the 2027 Malt Cup will bring together malthouses from across the globe for a peer-to-peer competition designed to recognize exceptional malt quality while providing valuable analytical and sensory feedback from respected professionals throughout the beverage industry.

The competition offers maltsters an opportunity to have their work evaluated by a diverse judging panel representing maltsters, brewers, distillers, researchers, journalists and Cicerones. Eight malt categories will compete for gold, while the highest-scoring gold medal entry will earn the prestigious traveling Best Of Show trophy. The trophy currently resides with Red Shed Malting in Canada after the company captured the 2026 Best Of Show honor.

Registration for the 2027 Malt Cup opens November 20, 2026, and maltsters will have until December 20 to register. Samples can then be submitted through January 4, 2027. With categories ranging from Caramel Malt and Distillers Malt to Pilsen, Pale Malt, Vienna and Wheat Malt, the competition highlights the critical role specialty malt plays in brewing, distilling and the broader craft beverage industry.

The following is the official press release from the Craft Maltsters Guild announcing the 2027 Malt Cup competition.

NATIONAL— The Craft Maltsters Guild invites malthouses from across the globe to participate in the only malt competition in the world, now in its ninth year.  

The 2027 Malt Cup gives maltsters the opportunity to receive valuable analytical and sensory feedback on their malts in this peer-to-peer competition judged by an esteemed panel of industry professionals that includes maltsters, brewers, distillers, researchers, journalists, and Cicerones. This competition awards winners in eight malt style categories, as well as a traveling Best Of Show trophy given to the single highest scoring entry of the gold winning malts. The trophy is presently in Canada with the 2026 Malt Cup Best Of Show winners, Red Shed Malting.

“Winning the Malt Cup meant the world to us— we pour our heart and soul into this business and our products,” says Matt Hamill, Maltster at Red Shed Malting. “I’m constantly touting ‘premium’ products in the market, so this recognition helped us as a sales tool and an icebreaker to get us in the door.”

Registration for the 2027 Malt Cup opens November 20, 2026 and runs through December 20, 2026. Once registered, maltsters can submit their samples through January 4, 2027. The eight categories in this prestigious competition include Caramel Malt, Distillers Malt, Light Munich, Pilsen, Pale Malt, Unique Malts, Vienna, and Wheat Malt. Details about these malt style categories, entry guidelines, judging criteria, and judging methodology can be accessed through the BAP website. The 2026 Malt Cup Awards Ceremony can be viewed at craftmalting.com.

Media inquiring about the Malt Cup or the Craft Maltsters Guild can contact Emily Hutto at [email protected].

Related news on mybeerbuz.com:
MyBeerBuzz readers can explore more coverage of the craft malting industry and the ingredients behind great beer through Craft Maltsters Guild coverage on MyBeerBuzz, including stories about specialty malt, maltsters and the growing craft malt movement. Readers interested in the broader craft beer industry can also explore craft beer news and industry coverage on MyBeerBuzz for additional stories involving breweries, brewing ingredients and developments shaping the industry.

ABOUT THE CRAFT MALTSTERS GUILD

Formed in 2013, the Craft Maltsters Guild’s mission is to promote and sustain the tradition of craft malting in North America, provide services and resources to the Association’s members, and uphold the highest quality and safety standards for Craft Maltsters. Learn more about the Craft Maltsters Guild at www.craftmalting.com. 

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