Malting is a trade that has had an essential link to brewing for thousands of years. Focusing on the role of the maltster, Jesse Bussard, Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild, will discuss the history of the malting trade in the United States, its important relationship with the beer industry, and this bond’s evolution up to modern-day. Expect to learn about the challenges posed by Prohibition and industry consolidation, as well as the newfound opportunities craft beer presented which eventually would lead to the emergence of craft malting in the North American beer ingredient scene. Along with the local food movement, these two camps set the stage for deeper exploration of malt and, in turn, a timely push in the age of climate change to the relocalization of beer supply chains.

Jesse Bussard is the Executive Director of the Craft Maltsters Guild. Previous to her work with the Guild, Jesse worked as an independent writer for over a decade covering topics related to craft beer, agriculture, and conservation. Additionally, during her previous tenure living in Montana, she co-founded and organized some of the state’s best craft beer events including Bozeman Craft Beer Week, Beer Maven: A Women’s Beer Education Series, the Montana Brewers Conference, and Montana Funk Fest, which was the state’s first sour beer and kombucha festival. Jesse is currently a member of Pink Boots Society and the North American Guild of Beer Writers.