Spring barley variety Belter has now secured full Malting Barley Committee (MBC) approval for distilling use, adding to its existing brewing approval.
According to Secobra, Belter has continued to gain momentum across the industry based on its strong agronomic performance, consistently high yield and brewing credentials. Achieving both brewing and distilling approval places Belter among a very limited group of spring barley varieties able to meet the requirements of the full malting supply chain.
Paul Bury, UK Spring Barley Breeder at Secobra Research, says: “From the beginning, the ambition with Belter was to develop a variety that combined strong agronomic characteristics with the quality demanded by end users.
“Distilling approval can be difficult to achieve, so reaching this stage is hugely rewarding for everyone involved in the programme. Belter has consistently shown its ability to perform in the field and malting evaluation, and this approval gives growers and the wider industry even greater confidence in the variety’s long-term potential.
“The approval further strengthens Secobra’s growing presence within the UK malting barley market, as the business continues working closely with growers, agronomists, merchants, maltsters and brewers to support supply chain resilience and future variety development.”
