Root Shoot Malting: A Testament To Years Of Hard Work And Dedication
In the realm of malting, Root Shoot Malting – a craft operation nestled in the heartlands of Northern Colorado – stands out as a testament to hard work, innovative thinking, and perseverance. This year is especially significant for Root Shoot as it not only marks seven productive years of their foray into the craft malt industry but also testifies to their relentless pursuit of growth. This year, their production capacity swelled by 33 percent, their array of award-winning craft malt broadened, and their first-ever spirit – the Root Shoot American Single Malt Whiskey – made a grand debut.
The Origins: A Family Affair
Root Shoot’s story originated over seven and a half decades ago when the Olander family cultivated their first crops along the front range. The family spent four generations growing a variety of crops and raising livestock on their farmland. However, the agriculture sector took a hard hit in the 1980s, leading to a difficult period of meager profit margins and ensuing land maintenance struggles. Hence, the next generation of Olanders, resolved to break the cycle, embarked on a novel venture inspired during a brewery tour at High Hops Brewery in 2014.
Budding Ideas
A casual conversation with High Hops revealed a glaring void in the availability of local malt variations for small breweries in Colorado. This sparked a revolutionary idea in the mind of Todd Olander – why not malt the barley being grown on their farm to meet this demand? This insightful thought materialized into action, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Root Shoot malthouse in 2016, a purpose-built facility equipped with high-quality malting equipment sourced from Germany’s esteemed Kaspar Schulz.
Pioneering A New Path
Todd, along with his better half Emily, created the first-ever batch of malt in the malthouse. Root Shoot grew seven barley varieties right in the first year and Todd, determined to excel in his new endeavor, pursued a course at the Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre (CMBTC) to learn everything about malting.
Challenges and Triumphs
They dove into the malting craft headfirst and poured their unwavering spirit and countless hours into sharpening their skills, and their risk-tolerance strategy bore fruit. A vivid milestone was Root Shoot’s effervescent presence at the premier Great American Beer Festival with the brews from Grimm Brothers Brewhouse and Resolute Brewing Co.
Nurturing Growth and Protecting Legacy
As Root Shoot entered 2018, another malting drum was added and the much-needed process of securing the farm in a conservation easement with Colorado Open Lands was initiated. This was done with the purpose of ensuring sustainable use of the considerable 112 acres of agricultural land. Proving that with consistent efforts, initial difficulties can be turned into a success, Root Shoot operates as a fully staffed malthouse going strong with three operational drums 365 days a year.
A Community of Craft Malt Enthusiasts
Of paramount importance is the impassioned community of craft malt lovers they’ve built over the years. This isn’t limited to just brewers and distillers, but extends to farmers, fellow maltsters and craft drinkers who back their mission wholeheartedly. They believe in Root Shoot’s initiative of promoting Northern Colorado and supplying genuine local malt through regenerative farming practices.
Cultivating Future Excellence
Root Shoot is optimistic about the future, where they plan to cultivate exceptional malts, promote sustainable farming practices and encourage a united community that works together to save one farm at a time. Speaking in beer and whiskey terms, of course. Here’s to the next seven years and many more triumphs to come for Root Shoot Malting!
E in 2016 and continued to experiment and innovate throughout the years. Almost half a decade later, Root Shoot boasts over ten malt varieties, serving multiple breweries across Colorado, and its neighboring states. Moreover, it has also diversified into other lines, such as whiskey distillation from scratch strictly following the Craft Distillers License held by Todd.
Root Shoot’s growth trajectory is a shining example of unwavering determination, hard work, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Their relentless pursuit of producing quality products that meet the needs of their local community has earned them admiration and loyalty from the craft beer and spirit lovers of Colorado. As they continue to grow and expand their horizons, one can’t help but marvel at the impressive journey of Root Shoot Malting, a true testament to years of passion and dedication.
Short comment: Root Shoot Malting’s story is a true inspiration, showcasing the power of determination and hard work. Their innovative thinking and perseverance have resulted in a successful and highly regarded craft malt operation and whiskey distillery. Their growth over the years is a testament to their unwavering dedication and passion for their craft.
‘s inaugural year. The craft malt was an immediate success with its intense, distinctive flavors – making a mark as it vied for the attention of local breweries. The following year, the couple planted a beautiful heirloom variety of barley – the Whisky Pete – in a mere quarter-acre to observe its adaptability to Colorado’s climate. The experiment proved to be a resounding success as the harvest was enough to produce the first-ever Whisky Pete product line
Root Shoot Malting is a true testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and innovation. Their journey from struggling farmers to successful craft maltsters is an inspiring one, and their continued growth and expansion in the industry are a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality and excellence. Overall, Root Shoot Malting is a shining example of how passion and perseverance can lead to great success.
This comment encapsulates the remarkable journey and accomplishments of Root Shoot Malting. It highlights the hard work and dedication of the Olander family, and how their innovative ideas and commitment to quality have led to their success in the craft malt industry. It also serves as an inspiring example of perseverance and passion in pursuit of one’s dreams.