By: Malteurop Malting Company

Did you know that the end of Prohibition (December 5, 1933) and the foundation of the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC October 12, 1934) happened less than a year apart? Only 3 months later the Malt Analysis Standardization Committee unanimously approved 5 methods (Sampling, Moisture, Extract, Color, and Physical Constants), with Diastatic Power put on hold so some lingering questions could be resolved.

The table below shows both the assays and common specifications or values for Standard Pale Malt where available:

We’ve come a long way since then!

Sources

Bryn H. Nissen (1947) History of the American Society of Brewing Chemists, Proceedings. Annual Meeting – American Society of Brewing Chemists, 5:1, 1-8.

Personal communication with Dr. Joe Hertrich, retired, of data he obtained from the Rahr Malt Archives.

American Malting Barley Association, Malting Barley Breeding Guidelines, June 2019.