Making malt matter
Loughran Family Malt is combining the supply of its home-grown malts with the best possible brewing ingredients from around the world
James Loughran, managing director of Loughran Family Malt is proud of the heritage of his company, describing himself as a “sixth generation barley grower”. Barley has been grown on the family farm near Dundalk, Co Louth since 1908.
Recognising the need to diversify the farm business, in 2014 Loughran Family Malt began to sell barley malt to small brewing companies both in Ireland and internationally.
The unique climate and geology of the farm and the careful production process means the range of base malts grown there provides the perfect malt backbone to any craft beer, according to Loughran.
“Craft brewers can now get an Irish malt that has history, tradition and a strong sense of place, helping to make their beer more distinctive to customers,” says Loughran.
“We have found an excellent distributor in the US for our grain and we sell our malts to breweries in Belgium and other European countries.”
In addition to supplying malt, the company sources key ingredients for craft breweries in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, including specific ingredients, as required. Loughran says the company’s mission is to provide “brilliant” ingredients to small companies to help them brew excellent craft beer.
The company sources high quality ingredients from around the globe, including hops from the Pacific Northwest in the US and Central Europe, yeast from France, roast malts from the UK and speciality malts from Belgium.
“If a brewer asks for an ingredient, we see it as our job to source it and we will go to great lengths to do so. We provide a variety of ingredients that craft beer producers can mix as they see fit,” Loughran explains.
The company stocks both its own base malts and a full range of brewing ingredients from other suppliers, leading to timely supply of brewers’ malt needs from the farm near Dundalk. This saves its customers time and money.
“As a small business we understand the challenges faced by small craft breweries. We always strive to be as flexible as possible.
“If they need the malt crushed, we will crush it for them fresh, only when they order. We also offer a range of delivery terms and can provide assistance with equipment,” notes Loughran.
“If a brewer asks for an ingredient, we see it as our job to source it and we will go to great lengths to do so”