Spring barley variety Belter has now secured full Malting Barley Committee (MBC) approval for distilling use.
This adds to its existing brewing approval, marking a significant achievement for both the variety and the Secobra’s breeding programme.
Distilling approval represents a demanding stage of the MBC process, requiring varieties to demonstrate consistently high standards across technical performance, quality and end-user suitability.
Full supply chain
Achieving both brewing and distilling approval places Belter among a limited group of spring barley varieties that meet the requirements of the full malting supply chain.
Already recognised for its strong agronomic performance, consistently high yield and brewing credentials, Belter has continued to gain momentum across the industry. The addition of full distilling approval should further strengthen its commercial appeal for growers, merchants, maltsters, brewers and distillers seeking resilient, high-performing varieties capable of delivering flexibility and confidence in an increasingly volatile market.
Secobra’s CEO, Gilles Fouquin, says: “Securing full distilling approval for Belter is an incredible milestone, not only for Secobra, but for the wider UK spring barley chain.
“Producing varieties capable of meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of the supply chain requires long-term investment, focused breeding and close collaboration across the industry.
“This approval reflects SECOBRA’s commitment to the UK market and our confidence in the long-term future of spring malting barley. We are extremely proud of what Paul and the team have achieved.”
Goal achieved
Paul Bury, Secobra’s UK spring barley breeder adds that from the beginning, the ambition 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,” he concludes.
