my name is Matt Hoffman I’m the master distiller and one of the cofounders of
distiller and one of the cofounders of
distiller and one of the cofounders of Westland distillery make single malt
Westland distillery make single malt
Westland distillery make single malt whiskey here in Seattle master distiller
whiskey here in Seattle master distiller
whiskey here in Seattle master distiller is a funny thing because I very rarely
is a funny thing because I very rarely
is a funny thing because I very rarely distill these days I do a lot of
distill these days I do a lot of
distill these days I do a lot of spreadsheets send a lot of emails but I
spreadsheets send a lot of emails but I
spreadsheets send a lot of emails but I also get to talk to people about kind of
also get to talk to people about kind of
also get to talk to people about kind of the exciting things that we do here one
the exciting things that we do here one
the exciting things that we do here one of the interesting things again we’re
of the interesting things again we’re
of the interesting things again we’re kind of talking about dinner last night
kind of talking about dinner last night
kind of talking about dinner last night we all got together one of the things
we all got together one of the things
we all got together one of the things that kind of echoes both the talk that
that kind of echoes both the talk that
that kind of echoes both the talk that we just saw and then the things we
we just saw and then the things we
we just saw and then the things we talked about at dinner is the idea of
talked about at dinner is the idea of
talked about at dinner is the idea of mastering something I think is false it
mastering something I think is false it
mastering something I think is false it is something we can constantly strive
is something we can constantly strive
is something we can constantly strive towards we’re trying to always get to
towards we’re trying to always get to
towards we’re trying to always get to perfection and we’re talking about the
perfection and we’re talking about the
perfection and we’re talking about the excellence thing but we’ll never get
excellence thing but we’ll never get
excellence thing but we’ll never get there and to think that you will get
there and to think that you will get
there and to think that you will get there to think that you will ever be the
there to think that you will ever be the
there to think that you will ever be the master of something is as arrogant in my
master of something is as arrogant in my
master of something is as arrogant in my opinion so when we say master distiller
opinion so when we say master distiller
opinion so when we say master distiller functionally what that means is is kind
functionally what that means is is kind
functionally what that means is is kind of in charge of the process start to
of in charge of the process start to
of in charge of the process start to finish does not mean that I have
finish does not mean that I have
finish does not mean that I have mastered distilling in any way I don’t
mastered distilling in any way I don’t
mastered distilling in any way I don’t believe that that is possible so single
believe that that is possible so single
believe that that is possible so single malt whisky is the original style of
malt whisky is the original style of
malt whisky is the original style of whisky that has been produced at least
whisky that has been produced at least
whisky that has been produced at least as far as recorded history goes for
as far as recorded history goes for
as far as recorded history goes for about 600 years the origin of it is
about 600 years the origin of it is
about 600 years the origin of it is probably Ireland unless you’re asking
probably Ireland unless you’re asking
probably Ireland unless you’re asking the Scottish people in which case it’s
the Scottish people in which case it’s
the Scottish people in which case it’s Scotland but this it’s the origin of all
Scotland but this it’s the origin of all
Scotland but this it’s the origin of all other styles of whiskey so basically
other styles of whiskey so basically
other styles of whiskey so basically Scottish Irish immigrants move to other
Scottish Irish immigrants move to other
Scottish Irish immigrants move to other parts of the world especially the u.s.
parts of the world especially the u.s.
parts of the world especially the u.s. find that barley doesn’t grow very well
find that barley doesn’t grow very well
find that barley doesn’t grow very well in the eastern US they plan try instead
in the eastern US they plan try instead
in the eastern US they plan try instead I take the ride that the German
I take the ride that the German
I take the ride that the German immigrants have they use that to make
immigrants have they use that to make
immigrants have they use that to make their whiskey then they all get kicked
their whiskey then they all get kicked
their whiskey then they all get kicked out of there it’s something called the
out of there it’s something called the
out of there it’s something called the Whiskey Rebellion which is a very
Whiskey Rebellion which is a very
Whiskey Rebellion which is a very fantastic story we don’t have time for
fantastic story we don’t have time for
fantastic story we don’t have time for today and they have to move down to
today and they have to move down to
today and they have to move down to Kentucky where they find corn is a lot
Kentucky where they find corn is a lot
Kentucky where they find corn is a lot better and that’s where bourbon comes
better and that’s where bourbon comes
better and that’s where bourbon comes from singable whiskey is a hundred
from singable whiskey is a hundred
from singable whiskey is a hundred percent malted barley what malted barley
percent malted barley what malted barley
percent malted barley what malted barley is is basically sprouted barley so
is is basically sprouted barley so
is is basically sprouted barley so barley grows as has been growing for for
barley grows as has been growing for for
barley grows as has been growing for for thousands of years and its really kind
thousands of years and its really kind
thousands of years and its really kind of reached
of reached
of reached its pinnacle expression in these kind of
its pinnacle expression in these kind of
its pinnacle expression in these kind of cooler climates we have a cooler spring
cooler climates we have a cooler spring
cooler climates we have a cooler spring kind of like the UK and also like the
kind of like the UK and also like the
kind of like the UK and also like the Pacific Northwest as it turns out so one
Pacific Northwest as it turns out so one
Pacific Northwest as it turns out so one hundred percent malted barley so what
hundred percent malted barley so what
hundred percent malted barley so what they’re going to do is going to take
they’re going to do is going to take
they’re going to do is going to take that raw barley they’re going to soak it
that raw barley they’re going to soak it
that raw barley they’re going to soak it in water for a few days then the barley
in water for a few days then the barley
in water for a few days then the barley grain goes hey it just rained so take
grain goes hey it just rained so take
grain goes hey it just rained so take this water in and I’ll begin to sprout
this water in and I’ll begin to sprout
this water in and I’ll begin to sprout so it goes along and it develops a root
so it goes along and it develops a root
so it goes along and it develops a root lid and some shoots and then there’s all
lid and some shoots and then there’s all
lid and some shoots and then there’s all sorts of things happening inside of the
sorts of things happening inside of the
sorts of things happening inside of the grain basically developing enzymes in
grain basically developing enzymes in
grain basically developing enzymes in the grain that help convert starch into
the grain that help convert starch into
the grain that help convert starch into sugar all this is very important when it
sugar all this is very important when it
sugar all this is very important when it comes to processing the whiskey but we
comes to processing the whiskey but we
comes to processing the whiskey but we need to stop it so it doesn’t go into
need to stop it so it doesn’t go into
need to stop it so it doesn’t go into full barley plant because that would be
full barley plant because that would be
full barley plant because that would be disastrous so they stop it by drying it
disastrous so they stop it by drying it
disastrous so they stop it by drying it out and that is what we call malted
out and that is what we call malted
out and that is what we call malted barley so that’s used in beer as well as
barley so that’s used in beer as well as
barley so that’s used in beer as well as single malt whiskey so the single part
single malt whiskey so the single part
single malt whiskey so the single part means produced at one distillery and
means produced at one distillery and
means produced at one distillery and this again is most of the time you’re
this again is most of the time you’re
this again is most of the time you’re seeing this come out of Scotland so
seeing this come out of Scotland so
seeing this come out of Scotland so that’s kind of that’s what we do here
that’s kind of that’s what we do here
that’s kind of that’s what we do here the Pacific Northwest is the best barley
the Pacific Northwest is the best barley
the Pacific Northwest is the best barley growing climate in the United States it
growing climate in the United States it
growing climate in the United States it is one of the best barley growing
is one of the best barley growing
is one of the best barley growing climates in the world outside of the UK
climates in the world outside of the UK
climates in the world outside of the UK Pacific Northwest are the two best ones
Pacific Northwest are the two best ones
Pacific Northwest are the two best ones in the northern hemisphere so a lot of
in the northern hemisphere so a lot of
in the northern hemisphere so a lot of people say oh you guys are Americans why
people say oh you guys are Americans why
people say oh you guys are Americans why aren’t you making bourbon well actually
aren’t you making bourbon well actually
aren’t you making bourbon well actually it’s more authentic for us to be making
it’s more authentic for us to be making
it’s more authentic for us to be making single malt whiskey here because barley
single malt whiskey here because barley
single malt whiskey here because barley is what grows here and not corn corn is
is what grows here and not corn corn is
is what grows here and not corn corn is used for bourbon so this is barley
used for bourbon so this is barley
used for bourbon so this is barley everybody say hello barley everything
everybody say hello barley everything
everybody say hello barley everything that’s used in the world of single malt
that’s used in the world of single malt
that’s used in the world of single malt whisky is commodity barley doesn’t
whisky is commodity barley doesn’t
whisky is commodity barley doesn’t actually matter and it’s true not just
actually matter and it’s true not just
actually matter and it’s true not just for whiskey but it’s also true for beer
for whiskey but it’s also true for beer
for whiskey but it’s also true for beer and any kind of baking products that use
and any kind of baking products that use
and any kind of baking products that use barley it’s all commodity barley so what
barley it’s all commodity barley so what
barley it’s all commodity barley so what does that mean so commodity barley or
does that mean so commodity barley or
does that mean so commodity barley or any commodity grain is bred for high
any commodity grain is bred for high
any commodity grain is bred for high yield in the field high yield in the
yield in the field high yield in the
yield in the field high yield in the plant in our case in the distillery it’s
plant in our case in the distillery it’s
plant in our case in the distillery it’s bred for disease resistance and it’s
bred for disease resistance and it’s
bred for disease resistance and it’s also bred for what it’s my last thing
also bred for what it’s my last thing
also bred for what it’s my last thing that it spread to be dependable it
that it spread to be dependable it
that it spread to be dependable it spread that you can count on every time
spread that you can count on every time
spread that you can count on every time when you go to make whiskey like when we
when you go to make whiskey like when we
when you go to make whiskey like when we do but also the farmers know what
do but also the farmers know what
do but also the farmers know what they’re going to get then you get these
they’re going to get then you get these
they’re going to get then you get these varieties certified by various
varieties certified by various
varieties certified by various organizations in the u.s. it’s called
organizations in the u.s. it’s called
organizations in the u.s. it’s called the ambulance American malted barley
the ambulance American malted barley
the ambulance American malted barley Association all of these things are
Association all of these things are
Association all of these things are admirable the ability to do
admirable the ability to do
admirable the ability to do high yields and and disease resistance
high yields and and disease resistance
high yields and and disease resistance makes things grow and you know what
makes things grow and you know what
makes things grow and you know what you’re going to get but there are also
you’re going to get but there are also
you’re going to get but there are also some downsides to that and those aren’t
some downsides to that and those aren’t
some downsides to that and those aren’t commonly talked about this barley
commonly talked about this barley
commonly talked about this barley varietal that you see here this is
varietal that you see here this is
varietal that you see here this is called full pint this is a new barley
called full pint this is a new barley
called full pint this is a new barley varietal bred by Oregon State University
varietal bred by Oregon State University
varietal bred by Oregon State University keep this in mind as we look through the
keep this in mind as we look through the
keep this in mind as we look through the rest of these slides here this is what
rest of these slides here this is what
rest of these slides here this is what when if you ask a Scottish person what
when if you ask a Scottish person what
when if you ask a Scottish person what barley looks like they’re gonna say
barley looks like they’re gonna say
barley looks like they’re gonna say looks exactly like this and varley’s
looks exactly like this and varley’s
looks exactly like this and varley’s only ever looked exactly like this so
only ever looked exactly like this so
only ever looked exactly like this so here’s the thing about commodities if
here’s the thing about commodities if
here’s the thing about commodities if you’re running commodities you’re
you’re running commodities you’re
you’re running commodities you’re probably doing monoculture so that means
probably doing monoculture so that means
probably doing monoculture so that means you’re planting the same crop year after
you’re planting the same crop year after
you’re planting the same crop year after year after year after year the US has
year after year after year the US has
year after year after year the US has mastered this in a really really
mastered this in a really really
mastered this in a really really depressing way I mean the middle of the
depressing way I mean the middle of the
depressing way I mean the middle of the country is corn corn corn corn corn each
country is corn corn corn corn corn each
country is corn corn corn corn corn each year that corn is depleting the soil it
year that corn is depleting the soil it
year that corn is depleting the soil it is the taking things out of the soil
is the taking things out of the soil
is the taking things out of the soil they can dump things back in before they
they can dump things back in before they
they can dump things back in before they learned how to dump things back and they
learned how to dump things back and they
learned how to dump things back and they simply moved away this is the origin of
simply moved away this is the origin of
simply moved away this is the origin of the Dust Bowl this is people moved out
the Dust Bowl this is people moved out
the Dust Bowl this is people moved out kind of into the plain States planted a
kind of into the plain States planted a
kind of into the plain States planted a bunch of stuff then kind of forgot to
bunch of stuff then kind of forgot to
bunch of stuff then kind of forgot to take care of it all and then destroyed
take care of it all and then destroyed
take care of it all and then destroyed it and then they kept moving but now
it and then they kept moving but now
it and then they kept moving but now these days people are able to dump
these days people are able to dump
these days people are able to dump synthetic stuff back into the soil over
synthetic stuff back into the soil over
synthetic stuff back into the soil over and over and over again it’s not good
and over and over again it’s not good
and over and over again it’s not good for the soil though it’s not good for
for the soil though it’s not good for
for the soil though it’s not good for the environment you talk about all this
the environment you talk about all this
the environment you talk about all this extra stuff that you have to put into
extra stuff that you have to put into
extra stuff that you have to put into the system this also includes diseases
the system this also includes diseases
the system this also includes diseases if you break up the crops if you plant
if you break up the crops if you plant
if you break up the crops if you plant this and then do a different crop
this and then do a different crop
this and then do a different crop different crop different crop then the
different crop different crop then the
different crop different crop then the disease has time to go away otherwise it
disease has time to go away otherwise it
disease has time to go away otherwise it just builds and builds and builds and
just builds and builds and builds and
just builds and builds and builds and builds year after year the other big
builds year after year the other big
builds year after year the other big thing is that commodity grains are price
thing is that commodity grains are price
thing is that commodity grains are price fixed it’s a race to the bottom I just
fixed it’s a race to the bottom I just
fixed it’s a race to the bottom I just finished reading a great book at highly
finished reading a great book at highly
finished reading a great book at highly recommend it’s called gaining ground
recommend it’s called gaining ground
recommend it’s called gaining ground it’s about a farmer out in Virginia I
it’s about a farmer out in Virginia I
it’s about a farmer out in Virginia I believe and he inherited he was probably
believe and he inherited he was probably
believe and he inherited he was probably my age he’s in his 20s and he inherited
my age he’s in his 20s and he inherited
my age he’s in his 20s and he inherited so I am in my 20s it’s true actually
so I am in my 20s it’s true actually
so I am in my 20s it’s true actually so anyways he inherited a he inherited a
so anyways he inherited a he inherited a
so anyways he inherited a he inherited a farm from his grandparents and he got
farm from his grandparents and he got
farm from his grandparents and he got really really into the idea of planting
really really into the idea of planting
really really into the idea of planting grains and so we planted corn and soy
grains and so we planted corn and soy
grains and so we planted corn and soy and he made it through the first first
and he made it through the first first
and he made it through the first first season the first harvest and he got all
season the first harvest and he got all
season the first harvest and he got all the way to the end there was a little
the way to the end there was a little
the way to the end there was a little bit of drought and some things that were
bit of drought and some things that were
bit of drought and some things that were going on there and he he sold all of it
going on there and he he sold all of it
going on there and he he sold all of it you have 300 acres of this stuff and
you have 300 acres of this stuff and
you have 300 acres of this stuff and sold all of it tallied everything up at
sold all of it tallied everything up at
sold all of it tallied everything up at the end of the year and he realized he
the end of the year and he realized he
the end of the year and he realized he made exactly eighteen dollars and that’s
made exactly eighteen dollars and that’s
made exactly eighteen dollars and that’s because the price is fixed it’s a race
because the price is fixed it’s a race
because the price is fixed it’s a race to the bottom no matter what you can’t
to the bottom no matter what you can’t
to the bottom no matter what you can’t add value to a commodity crop because
add value to a commodity crop because
add value to a commodity crop because that’s against the definition and the
that’s against the definition and the
that’s against the definition and the other big thing is it’s always bred for
other big thing is it’s always bred for
other big thing is it’s always bred for yield the idea of flavor does not come
yield the idea of flavor does not come
yield the idea of flavor does not come into consideration ever which is really
into consideration ever which is really
into consideration ever which is really really remarkable actually so again
really remarkable actually so again
really remarkable actually so again there’s some admirable things about
there’s some admirable things about
there’s some admirable things about commodities but there’s a lot of
commodities but there’s a lot of
commodities but there’s a lot of negatives so what do we do to try to fix
negatives so what do we do to try to fix
negatives so what do we do to try to fix this this is the resurgence that we’re
this this is the resurgence that we’re
this this is the resurgence that we’re talking about here a return to original
talking about here a return to original
talking about here a return to original styles of farming to rotation crops so
styles of farming to rotation crops so
styles of farming to rotation crops so you’re going to get things that are
you’re going to get things that are
you’re going to get things that are going to help the soil going to help
going to help the soil going to help
going to help the soil going to help each other out there’s a lot of examples
each other out there’s a lot of examples
each other out there’s a lot of examples of this throughout the world the rest of
of this throughout the world the rest of
of this throughout the world the rest of the world knows this a lot of cuisines
the world knows this a lot of cuisines
the world knows this a lot of cuisines are based on this idea of rotation crops
are based on this idea of rotation crops
are based on this idea of rotation crops but in America we sadly have no real
but in America we sadly have no real
but in America we sadly have no real concept of it because we’ve always kind
concept of it because we’ve always kind
concept of it because we’ve always kind of been able to either take more land or
of been able to either take more land or
of been able to either take more land or develop chemicals to get around it
develop chemicals to get around it
develop chemicals to get around it getting value out of these products not
getting value out of these products not
getting value out of these products not just breeding them for a commodity
just breeding them for a commodity
just breeding them for a commodity system where you you put into a giant
system where you you put into a giant
system where you you put into a giant truck that goes to a giant train car and
truck that goes to a giant train car and
truck that goes to a giant train car and it goes to a giant commodity market
it goes to a giant commodity market
it goes to a giant commodity market you’re done with it let’s add value to
you’re done with it let’s add value to
you’re done with it let’s add value to these products you can do that if you
these products you can do that if you
these products you can do that if you take control but then also flavor and
take control but then also flavor and
take control but then also flavor and this is a big that I kind of get into
this is a big that I kind of get into
this is a big that I kind of get into this in a little bit but let’s actually
this in a little bit but let’s actually
this in a little bit but let’s actually think about flavor as we develop new
think about flavor as we develop new
think about flavor as we develop new grains so this is the Skagit value can
grains so this is the Skagit value can
grains so this is the Skagit value can see that there in Washington State the
see that there in Washington State the
see that there in Washington State the barley regions are kind of split into
barley regions are kind of split into
barley regions are kind of split into two places you’ve got Eastern Washington
two places you’ve got Eastern Washington
two places you’ve got Eastern Washington which is big that’s big AG country that
which is big that’s big AG country that
which is big that’s big AG country that is there’s we get a lot of barley from
is there’s we get a lot of barley from
is there’s we get a lot of barley from eastern Washington but the system there
eastern Washington but the system there
eastern Washington but the system there is very much commodity system there’s
is very much commodity system there’s
is very much commodity system there’s two varietals of barley that are grown
two varietals of barley that are grown
two varietals of barley that are grown out there amongst the thousands that
out there amongst the thousands that
out there amongst the thousands that exist and if they grow effectively but
exist and if they grow effectively but
exist and if they grow effectively but that will come in and and the farmers
that will come in and and the farmers
that will come in and and the farmers you don’t you never meet them
you don’t you never meet them
you don’t you never meet them but Western Washington is a little bit
but Western Washington is a little bit
but Western Washington is a little bit different they’ve rejected the commodity
different they’ve rejected the commodity
different they’ve rejected the commodity system for a lot of very simple reason
system for a lot of very simple reason
system for a lot of very simple reason so the Skagit Valley there those are
so the Skagit Valley there those are
so the Skagit Valley there those are tulips a lot of people here will know
tulips a lot of people here will know
tulips a lot of people here will know that the Skagit Valley is famous for its
that the Skagit Valley is famous for its
that the Skagit Valley is famous for its tulip festival what they probably don’t
tulip festival what they probably don’t
tulip festival what they probably don’t know is that those tulips basically just
know is that those tulips basically just
know is that those tulips basically just destroy this soil not totally but they
destroy this soil not totally but they
destroy this soil not totally but they can’t do the tulips in the same place
can’t do the tulips in the same place
can’t do the tulips in the same place generally speaking year after year
generally speaking year after year
generally speaking year after year because it takes so much material to
because it takes so much material to
because it takes so much material to make those tulips work so what these
make those tulips work so what these
make those tulips work so what these farmers have been doing for a hundred
farmers have been doing for a hundred
farmers have been doing for a hundred years is they’ve been planting barley
years is they’ve been planting barley
years is they’ve been planting barley after the tulips to help put carbon back
after the tulips to help put carbon back
after the tulips to help put carbon back into the soil barley is actually a
into the soil barley is actually a
into the soil barley is actually a carbon fixing it sucks carbon out of the
carbon fixing it sucks carbon out of the
carbon fixing it sucks carbon out of the atmosphere puts it back into the soil
atmosphere puts it back into the soil
atmosphere puts it back into the soil breaks disease cycles then they’ll plant
breaks disease cycles then they’ll plant
breaks disease cycles then they’ll plant something like beans they would put
something like beans they would put
something like beans they would put nitrogen back into the soil and away
nitrogen back into the soil and away
nitrogen back into the soil and away they go then the complaint tulips again
they go then the complaint tulips again
they go then the complaint tulips again they don’t have to dump a bunch of extra
they don’t have to dump a bunch of extra
they don’t have to dump a bunch of extra stuff in there and that’s a natural crop
stuff in there and that’s a natural crop
stuff in there and that’s a natural crop rotation cycle this is how a lot of
rotation cycle this is how a lot of
rotation cycle this is how a lot of agricultural communities have existed
agricultural communities have existed
agricultural communities have existed for a long time the problem is is that
for a long time the problem is is that
for a long time the problem is is that they had nobody to sell that grain to
they had nobody to sell that grain to
they had nobody to sell that grain to they were outside of the commodity
they were outside of the commodity
they were outside of the commodity system even if you were farming in
system even if you were farming in
system even if you were farming in western Washington is a lot more
western Washington is a lot more
western Washington is a lot more expensive that it is in eastern
expensive that it is in eastern
expensive that it is in eastern Washington if you manage to get perfect
Washington if you manage to get perfect
Washington if you manage to get perfect grain out of this barley you might break
grain out of this barley you might break
grain out of this barley you might break even if it made what’s called moulton
even if it made what’s called moulton
even if it made what’s called moulton great so be high grade barley but on the
great so be high grade barley but on the
great so be high grade barley but on the commodity system if not you would get
commodity system if not you would get
commodity system if not you would get feed grade barley which goes to cattle
feed grade barley which goes to cattle
feed grade barley which goes to cattle and that you lose money planting that
and that you lose money planting that
and that you lose money planting that but they have to do it because it’s good
but they have to do it because it’s good
but they have to do it because it’s good for their soil this barley here so you
for their soil this barley here so you
for their soil this barley here so you remember the barley is just showing you
remember the barley is just showing you
remember the barley is just showing you a little bit ago this barley is called
a little bit ago this barley is called
a little bit ago this barley is called purple obsidia I’m going to come up with
purple obsidia I’m going to come up with
purple obsidia I’m going to come up with there’s there’s a lot of names here that
there’s there’s a lot of names here that
there’s there’s a lot of names here that they are going to see it’s we’re not
they are going to see it’s we’re not
they are going to see it’s we’re not involved with marijuana at all purple
involved with marijuana at all purple
involved with marijuana at all purple obsidian Tibetan purple you know there’s
obsidian Tibetan purple you know there’s
obsidian Tibetan purple you know there’s all sorts of you know no so so anyways
all sorts of you know no so so anyways
all sorts of you know no so so anyways this is a varietal of barley that comes
this is a varietal of barley that comes
this is a varietal of barley that comes from Egypt it’s 2,000 years old there’s
from Egypt it’s 2,000 years old there’s
from Egypt it’s 2,000 years old there’s an almost unbelievable back story
an almost unbelievable back story
an almost unbelievable back story involving some camel trading routes in
involving some camel trading routes in
involving some camel trading routes in eastern Washington it’s very bizarre but
eastern Washington it’s very bizarre but
eastern Washington it’s very bizarre but this is not an approved varietal for
this is not an approved varietal for
this is not an approved varietal for planting for multi barley in Washington
planting for multi barley in Washington
planting for multi barley in Washington State why not well there’s all sorts of
State why not well there’s all sorts of
State why not well there’s all sorts of reasons but one of them
reasons but one of them
reasons but one of them is it melts in four days instead of
is it melts in four days instead of
is it melts in four days instead of seven so actually if you’re thinking
seven so actually if you’re thinking
seven so actually if you’re thinking about this it melts faster than what the
about this it melts faster than what the
about this it melts faster than what the standard is but just because it moves
standard is but just because it moves
standard is but just because it moves away from what the standard is it makes
away from what the standard is it makes
away from what the standard is it makes it totally reject abul so one of the
it totally reject abul so one of the
it totally reject abul so one of the things that we move to do and we’re
things that we move to do and we’re
things that we move to do and we’re working we have to work with other
working we have to work with other
working we have to work with other companies to do is we’re working with a
companies to do is we’re working with a
companies to do is we’re working with a company called Skagit Valley malting to
company called Skagit Valley malting to
company called Skagit Valley malting to accomplish this is basically changing
accomplish this is basically changing
accomplish this is basically changing the system to suit the grain to suit the
the system to suit the grain to suit the
the system to suit the grain to suit the agriculture and not changing your
agriculture and not changing your
agriculture and not changing your agriculture to suit your system this is
agriculture to suit your system this is
agriculture to suit your system this is only really possible now with technology
only really possible now with technology
only really possible now with technology so you can change each different batch
so you can change each different batch
so you can change each different batch you have to be more patient it costs
you have to be more patient it costs
you have to be more patient it costs more money yes but the flavor that you
more money yes but the flavor that you
more money yes but the flavor that you get from something like this is is
get from something like this is is
get from something like this is is unbelievable people have never tasted it
unbelievable people have never tasted it
unbelievable people have never tasted it there’s I mean how many of you have
there’s I mean how many of you have
there’s I mean how many of you have tasted just an unbelievable piece of
tasted just an unbelievable piece of
tasted just an unbelievable piece of whole wheat bread that totally changed
whole wheat bread that totally changed
whole wheat bread that totally changed your mind there’s not enough of you this
your mind there’s not enough of you this
your mind there’s not enough of you this is the problem but
is the problem but
is the problem but but that’s out there when you taste it
but that’s out there when you taste it
but that’s out there when you taste it in it totally just you have no concept
in it totally just you have no concept
in it totally just you have no concept of this if you’re just raised on Wonder
of this if you’re just raised on Wonder
of this if you’re just raised on Wonder Bread and all this other stuff that we
Bread and all this other stuff that we
Bread and all this other stuff that we are as Americans and so this is a very
are as Americans and so this is a very
are as Americans and so this is a very very important thing you can take the
very important thing you can take the
very important thing you can take the varietals that are not just for multi
varietals that are not just for multi
varietals that are not just for multi but a feed varietal that full pint back
but a feed varietal that full pint back
but a feed varietal that full pint back there two slides ago that was a feed
there two slides ago that was a feed
there two slides ago that was a feed varietal that’s also not approved for
varietal that’s also not approved for
varietal that’s also not approved for malting under the approved list and yet
malting under the approved list and yet
malting under the approved list and yet you can multi and you get incredible
you can multi and you get incredible
you can multi and you get incredible flavor out of it so that’s a really
flavor out of it so that’s a really
flavor out of it so that’s a really really that’s a really important thing
really that’s a really important thing
really that’s a really important thing to think about when you think about
to think about when you think about
to think about when you think about flavor first just try to get the thing
flavor first just try to get the thing
flavor first just try to get the thing that tastes best and then work backwards
that tastes best and then work backwards
that tastes best and then work backwards from there to make it work in order for
from there to make it work in order for
from there to make it work in order for this to work you need grain breeder so
this to work you need grain breeder so
this to work you need grain breeder so we’re going to help you develop new
we’re going to help you develop new
we’re going to help you develop new varietals barley I don’t mean GMO I mean
varietals barley I don’t mean GMO I mean
varietals barley I don’t mean GMO I mean kind of the old fashioned way of
kind of the old fashioned way of
kind of the old fashioned way of breeding grain which is you take two
breeding grain which is you take two
breeding grain which is you take two grains and he kind of rub them together
grains and he kind of rub them together
grains and he kind of rub them together like this sin its it wouldn’t be good at
like this sin its it wouldn’t be good at
like this sin its it wouldn’t be good at this I’m not a teacher
so but it’s it’s developing grains the
so but it’s it’s developing grains the old fashioned way start to finish that
old fashioned way start to finish that
old fashioned way start to finish that process usually takes 10 years from the
process usually takes 10 years from the
process usually takes 10 years from the time you make the first cross but to the
time you make the first cross but to the
time you make the first cross but to the time that it could be approved if you
time that it could be approved if you
time that it could be approved if you start with a thousand varietals you
start with a thousand varietals you
start with a thousand varietals you might be lucky if you get one that works
might be lucky if you get one that works
might be lucky if you get one that works so there’s a guy named dr. Steve Jones
so there’s a guy named dr. Steve Jones
so there’s a guy named dr. Steve Jones he was out breeding wheat and barley at
he was out breeding wheat and barley at
he was out breeding wheat and barley at Washington State University Pullman
Washington State University Pullman
Washington State University Pullman Monsanto approached him and said will
Monsanto approached him and said will
Monsanto approached him and said will you develop a varietal of wheat for us
you develop a varietal of wheat for us
you develop a varietal of wheat for us that we can patent he said no that may
that we can patent he said no that may
that we can patent he said no that may sound obvious he said I’m a land-grant
sound obvious he said I’m a land-grant
sound obvious he said I’m a land-grant university professor you’re not supposed
university professor you’re not supposed
university professor you’re not supposed to breed for companies supposed to breed
to breed for companies supposed to breed
to breed for companies supposed to breed for the public good he’s the only one in
for the public good he’s the only one in
for the public good he’s the only one in the u.s. that said no he was banished
the u.s. that said no he was banished
the u.s. that said no he was banished from this university from Washington
from this university from Washington
from this university from Washington State University Pullman and before you
State University Pullman and before you
State University Pullman and before you think this is a political thing big AG
think this is a political thing big AG
think this is a political thing big AG reaches across both sides of the aisle
reaches across both sides of the aisle
reaches across both sides of the aisle when this happened so he was kicked up
when this happened so he was kicked up
when this happened so he was kicked up to Mount Vernon an hour to the north of
to Mount Vernon an hour to the north of
to Mount Vernon an hour to the north of us basically allowed to do whatever he
us basically allowed to do whatever he
us basically allowed to do whatever he wanted they stripped him of all of his
wanted they stripped him of all of his
wanted they stripped him of all of his funding save his salary and his
funding save his salary and his
funding save his salary and his assistant salary which continues to this
assistant salary which continues to this
assistant salary which continues to this day by the way everything that he’s done
day by the way everything that he’s done
day by the way everything that he’s done up to this point he’s only done with two
up to this point he’s only done with two
up to this point he’s only done with two people salaries and no other funding of
people salaries and no other funding of
people salaries and no other funding of any sort and basically said all right go
any sort and basically said all right go
any sort and basically said all right go nuts up there and so up there the
nuts up there and so up there the
nuts up there and so up there the farmers initially and then other
farmers initially and then other
farmers initially and then other companies westland helps fund this as
companies westland helps fund this as
companies westland helps fund this as well but also companies like cliff bar
well but also companies like cliff bar
well but also companies like cliff bar whole foods Patagonia chipotle have to
whole foods Patagonia chipotle have to
whole foods Patagonia chipotle have to fund his work in developing varietals of
fund his work in developing varietals of
fund his work in developing varietals of grain for flavor instead of just for
grain for flavor instead of just for
grain for flavor instead of just for yield that’s 15,000 varietals of barley
yield that’s 15,000 varietals of barley
yield that’s 15,000 varietals of barley that he’s got in there in Scotland they
that he’s got in there in Scotland they
that he’s got in there in Scotland they only use one varietal of barley so if
only use one varietal of barley so if
only use one varietal of barley so if you can imagine if you know like the
you can imagine if you know like the
you can imagine if you know like the world of wine merlot what if all wine
world of wine merlot what if all wine
world of wine merlot what if all wine was merlot who’s seen the movie sideways
was merlot who’s seen the movie sideways
was merlot who’s seen the movie sideways okay so whatever you think about Merlot
okay so whatever you think about Merlot
okay so whatever you think about Merlot even if it’s a if it’s an amazing Merlot
even if it’s a if it’s an amazing Merlot
even if it’s a if it’s an amazing Merlot if every wine was Merlot how boring
if every wine was Merlot how boring
if every wine was Merlot how boring would that be now I’ll caveat this by
would that be now I’ll caveat this by
would that be now I’ll caveat this by saying the world of Scottish whiskey has
saying the world of Scottish whiskey has
saying the world of Scottish whiskey has produced a lot of great stuff and that’s
produced a lot of great stuff and that’s
produced a lot of great stuff and that’s even increasing these days there’s a ton
even increasing these days there’s a ton
even increasing these days there’s a ton of great stuff out there and I have a
of great stuff out there and I have a
of great stuff out there and I have a lot of respect for what goes on in the
lot of respect for what goes on in the
lot of respect for what goes on in the Scottish whiskey industry for the most
Scottish whiskey industry for the most
Scottish whiskey industry for the most part but there
part but there
part but there there are so many new possibilities of
there are so many new possibilities of
there are so many new possibilities of getting beyond this high yielding type
getting beyond this high yielding type
getting beyond this high yielding type of barley varietal if you start thinking
of barley varietal if you start thinking
of barley varietal if you start thinking about flavor who cares if it yields ten
about flavor who cares if it yields ten
about flavor who cares if it yields ten percent less charge twenty percent more
percent less charge twenty percent more
percent less charge twenty percent more for it because people go nuts over it
for it because people go nuts over it
for it because people go nuts over it you know people love things that taste
you know people love things that taste
you know people love things that taste good it’s it’s really not actually that
good it’s it’s really not actually that
good it’s it’s really not actually that complicated so the bread lab up there is
complicated so the bread lab up there is
complicated so the bread lab up there is doing amazing things you’ll find them in
doing amazing things you’ll find them in
doing amazing things you’ll find them in documentaries again all of their funding
documentaries again all of their funding
documentaries again all of their funding is coming from from donations mostly
is coming from from donations mostly
is coming from from donations mostly from kind of progressive companies and
from kind of progressive companies and
from kind of progressive companies and and from individuals big AG has removed
and from individuals big AG has removed
and from individuals big AG has removed everything else from them so this is
everything else from them so this is
everything else from them so this is this is a big deal the end result from
this is a big deal the end result from
this is a big deal the end result from all of this what they’re trying to do is
all of this what they’re trying to do is
all of this what they’re trying to do is make sure that these varietals they’re
make sure that these varietals they’re
make sure that these varietals they’re breeding these varietals to grow well in
breeding these varietals to grow well in
breeding these varietals to grow well in the washington state climate in the
the washington state climate in the
the washington state climate in the Pacific Northwest climate so you don’t
Pacific Northwest climate so you don’t
Pacific Northwest climate so you don’t have to dump things back into the system
have to dump things back into the system
have to dump things back into the system back into the agricultural system that
back into the agricultural system that
back into the agricultural system that don’t belong there the farmers now will
don’t belong there the farmers now will
don’t belong there the farmers now will take these varietals and make a living
take these varietals and make a living
take these varietals and make a living off of them before they would just feed
off of them before they would just feed
off of them before they would just feed it to cows because they couldn’t bother
it to cows because they couldn’t bother
it to cows because they couldn’t bother to sell out on the commodity market now
to sell out on the commodity market now
to sell out on the commodity market now we can go in and say hey we will pay you
we can go in and say hey we will pay you
we can go in and say hey we will pay you not just above commodity market value
not just above commodity market value
not just above commodity market value will pay you good money for this grain
will pay you good money for this grain
will pay you good money for this grain that you’re breeding here even though
that you’re breeding here even though
that you’re breeding here even though it’s yielding maybe fifty percent less
it’s yielding maybe fifty percent less
it’s yielding maybe fifty percent less per acre even will pay you the
per acre even will pay you the
per acre even will pay you the difference and then some to make sure
difference and then some to make sure
difference and then some to make sure that you get paid a living wage and
that you get paid a living wage and
that you get paid a living wage and ultimately really the important thing
ultimately really the important thing
ultimately really the important thing that comes out of it is you make better
that comes out of it is you make better
that comes out of it is you make better product and and what’s exciting about
product and and what’s exciting about
product and and what’s exciting about this is this is applicable beyond
this is this is applicable beyond
this is this is applicable beyond whiskey this is applicable to a lot of
whiskey this is applicable to a lot of
whiskey this is applicable to a lot of things there’s a huge movement going on
things there’s a huge movement going on
things there’s a huge movement going on right now in this country and it’s just
right now in this country and it’s just
right now in this country and it’s just getting started for this style of
getting started for this style of
getting started for this style of thinking we talk about things like
thinking we talk about things like
thinking we talk about things like triple bottom line where everybody wins
triple bottom line where everybody wins
triple bottom line where everybody wins people get paid more money the
people get paid more money the
people get paid more money the environment ends up better and
environment ends up better and
environment ends up better and ultimately you develop better more
ultimately you develop better more
ultimately you develop better more compelling products with better flavor
compelling products with better flavor
compelling products with better flavor and this is something we should always
and this is something we should always
and this is something we should always be striving for it’s something we’re
be striving for it’s something we’re
be striving for it’s something we’re pushing very hard on and something we
pushing very hard on and something we
pushing very hard on and something we want the whole world to see so let’s
want the whole world to see so let’s
want the whole world to see so let’s wake up thank you very much
”
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