“Celebrating Success”

by The Maltstar | Mar 27, 2026 | Hot off the Kiln

Celebrating Success

We’re proud to celebrate the continued success of our maltings customers, who have once again demonstrated their exceptional brewing skills.

At the prestigious International Brewing Awards – often dubbed the “Oscars of Brewing” and dating back to 1886 – three of our customers took home outstanding gold medal wins across highly competitive categories:

Long Man Brewery

Long Man Pale Ale,
Keg Ale
Class 1 (ABV 2.9–4.7%)

South Hams Brewery

Sherman,
Cask Conditioned Beer
Class 4 (ABV 4.9–6.9%)

Rebellion Brewery Co

Eclipse,
Dark Beer
Class 2 (ABV 3.8–4.7%)

These awards reflect not only brewing excellence but also the quality of ingredients and dedication
to craft shared across our customer base.

Beyond brewing, our customers were also recognised in the renowned Great Taste Awards (2025),
which celebrates the very best in food and drink.

Artisan Vinegar Company

Artisan Malt Vinegar

Lovingly Artisan

Malted Barley Sourdough

We have a strong feeling that they’ll both be there again in the 2026 results.

Adding to this impressive list, several of our customers also picked up gold, silver and bronze awards at last week’s BeerX – the UK’s biggest beer and brewing trade event.

The competition is stiff so to win there is quite the achievement!

These all serve to highlight the expertise, creativity, and passion of our customers
A huge and well-deserved congratulations to them all!

Robin Appel

“The Spring has Sprung…”

by The Maltstar | Mar 13, 2026 | Hot off the Kiln

“The Spring has Sprung…”

“The Spring has sprung…” and it’s all around us.

Never mind that the cherry blossom in the garden and the flowering oilseed rape in the fields are particularly early this year, following our dreary winter they are both hugely welcome. As will be Easter in two weeks’ time, if the sun keeps shining.

At last an end to hibernation, and the news that the Great British Public are returning to the Great British Pub (Morning Advertiser 10/03/26).

Our malt sales appear to reflect this; they are blossoming too. They could yet improve even more.

With the current turmoil across the wider world, it is not surprising there is talk that ‘staycation’ might boom again this year.

Any signs of a repeat of last year’s glorious summer will surely only serve to encourage this. That would also be most welcome because, if we are so lucky, there will be at least two winners that we at Warminster Maltings will be rooting for. After all that they have been up against of late, they would deserve this break.

We are of course talking about the Great British Pub and Great British Beer!

Robin Appel

“Reasons to be Cheerful…”

by The Maltstar | Feb 12, 2026 | Hot off the Kiln

“Reasons to be Cheerful…”

Our order book for malts is presently under performing. We are told, for one reason or another, everyone has stopped drinking alcohol. For the time being perhaps. But we believe there are still reasons to be cheerful.

Number: 1

The explosion of publicity surrounding our pubs is quite astonishing and ongoing. Commentators are keen to highlight the community, social and heritage values of our hostelries, with attention grabbing headlines every week. It is widely reported that the public are now responding.

Number: 2

For every report of a pub closure, there is another of niche pub groups buying them up with exciting and enlightened plans for re-openings. Even JDW expects to open new venues in 2026.

Number: 3

Whisky market experts tell us the current downturn in global demand is cyclical, not structural. The halving of tariffs into India and now China, will improve bulk sales. 2026 is expected to be better than 2025.

Number: 4

Wage inflation currently exceeds the CPI (Consumer Price Index). This should increase spending money. The continuing trials and tribulations in Whitehall will provide the excuse.

Number: 5

At Warminster, all our 2025 customers are still ordering our malts, but not quite as frequently as last year. But Easter is early and this traditionally kicks off the ‘staycation’ tourism surge.

As Field Marshall Viscount Slim famously said