On May 18, the North Central NAMA chapter met at Rahr Malting Company in Shakopee, Minn. The group toured one of the site’s five malt houses and got a first-hand look at the malting processes of steeping, germination and kilning. Those in attendance took away the key message that “malt is important.”

The tour ended in the Rahr Malting laboratory where John Moore, brew master of Barley John’s Brewpub in New Brighton, Minn., greeted the group with growlers of beer. Attendees enjoyed samples of Moore’s handcrafted beer, from the Little Barley Bitter to the Wild Brunette to the Old Eight Porter. During the beer-tasting event, members had the opportunity to network with other attendees.

With heads full of knowledge and bellies full of beer, attendees agreed, it was another great NAMA event.