Asahi Beverages to source barley from Victorian grain growers

Some of Australia’s best known beers will source their malting barley from dozens of Victorian growers. Here’s what it means for the industry.

West Wimmera farmer John Bennett and Asahi Beverages’ group chief brewer Jaideep Chandrasekran, Picture: Supplied

VICTORIAN barley growers across the Wimmera and Mallee regions will supply some of Australia’s most iconic beer brands, who are thirsty for their high quality produce.

And it couldn’t come at a better time for the industry who has faced a few “challenging years”.

The new supply chain will give Asahi Beverages, who owns Carlton and United Breweries, oversight of the barley growing process to brew beers such as Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught and Pure Blonde at their Abbotsford brewery.

According to Asahi Beverages, more than 30 Victorian farmers in the Mallee have already been engaged, with their 30,000 tonnes of barley to be sent to Melbourne’s Abbotsford Brewery once it has been malted.

“Another seven farmers from southern NSW will supply 40,000 tonnes of barley directly to Asahi’s Yatala Brewery in Queensland once it has been malted,” Asahi Beverages said.

The company said northern NSW growers were expected to join the scheme before the next harvest later this year.

Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann welcomed the program.

“Barley farmers have faced many challenges in recent years so it’s fantastic to see a program like this launch,” Mr Weidemann said.

“With Asahi Beverages’ knowledge and experience, the program will help ensure crops are grown sustainability and that farmers can grow new varieties that can open up more international markets for them, which is particularly timely.”

West Wimmera barley grower John Bennett, who is supplying the company, said the new program connected his farm directly with Asahi Beverages.

“This relationship gives us a better understanding of their stringent quality parameters and ensures we provide the highest-quality barley for their brewing process,” Mr Bennett said.

“Buying barley direct not only benefits farmers, but the communities we live in too.”

Asahi Beverages’ group chief brewer Jaideep Chandrasekran said Australian malting barley was “of the highest quality” and sourcing it direct from farmers was an important change for their Victorian operations and also the dozens of farmers they will purchase from.

“Under the old model the grains we purchased generally weren’t segregated but this program allows us to track the provenance of barley used to brew our major beers and gives us direct relationships with more farmers,” Mr Chandrasekran said.

The first beers using the directly- purchased barley will be brewed at both sites next month.

MORE

HEALTH FOOD DOOR OPENS TO GRAINS

ASIA EAGER FOR AUSSIE GRAIN