In France, the name Bairds Malt remains relatively unknown. Yet this historic maltster, founded in 1823 in Scotland, is a cornerstone of British malting. It operates five production sites across the United Kingdom. For two centuries, Bairds has been supplying high-quality malts to the most demanding brewers and distillers.
Two of their flagship malts — Maris Otter and Extra Pale Ale Malt — are now part of our catalogue. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover a maltster with a rich history, a complete range, and a clear philosophy: transparency, consistency, performance. Behind every sack of Bairds malt, there’s more than just an ingredient. There’s a culture, a team, and a promise of reliability.
Bairds Malt : A historic maltster at the heart of the United Kingdom
Bairds Malt was founded in 1823 in Glasgow. For over two centuries, it has supported brewers and distillers across the United Kingdom.
True to its roots, Bairds now operates five production sites across Scotland and England. Each site has its own specialty — traditional malting, kilning, roasting… This diversity allows Bairds to meet the needs of both craft producers and large-scale manufacturers.
Sourcing is done locally, through a network of over 800 British farmers, some of whom have been working with Bairds for generations.
Quality and traceability are at the heart of their approach. Every batch is tracked from field to brewhouse. But what truly sets Bairds apart is its human touch. The company highlights its teams, their expertise, and their passion. Their motto is simple: “Bairds make malt. People make Bairds.”
A malt range designed for discerning craft brewers
Bairds produces over 40 types of malt, divided into six distinct categories:
- Base malts: the foundation for all recipes
- Highly kilned malts: for added colour and body
- Roasted malts: ideal for stouts, porters, and dark beers
- Distilling malts: tailored to meet whisky production standards
- Peated malts: produced in Inverness, for smoky flavour profiles
- 1823 Collection: a heritage range celebrating traditional barley varieties
Each malt is crafted with precision and care, in full respect of industry standards…
Among this range, two malts deserve special attention: Maris Otter and Extra Pale Ale Malt.
Both are now available at Rolling Beers, offering brewers a great opportunity to work with high-quality British ingredients.
Maris Otter : British elegance
Maris Otter is one of the most iconic malts in the United Kingdom. Cultivated since the 1960s, it is renowned for its aromatic richness, consistency, and ability to elevate traditional beer styles.
Bairds produces Maris Otter with exceptional care. The maltster carefully selects the grain, the barley is 100% traceable, and the malting process follows classic methods. The result: a rounded, lightly biscuity malt with excellent mouthfeel.
It’s ideal for bitters, porters, stouts, and any beer where malt character should truly shine.
Extra Pale Ale Malt : a modern and versatile base
Extra Pale Ale Malt is a pale base malt designed for contemporary beer styles. It offers excellent extract yield, low colour, and a neutral profile that allows hops to shine.
This malt is ideal for IPAs, Pale Ales, hoppy Lagers, or top-fermented beers where clarity and precision are key.
It’s a reliable, technical base that integrates easily into a wide range of recipes.
Bairds Malt: A maltster to discover, malts to embrace
Bairds Malt embodies two centuries of British expertise. Behind every sack lies a story, a team, and a commitment to quality. For French brewers, it’s a chance to work with a renowned maltster that remains underrepresented in the local market.
Maris Otter and Extra Pale Ale Malt are two standout references—expressive, reliable, and full of character. Whether you’re looking for a distinctly English malt profile or a bright, high-performance base, Bairds offers raw materials worthy of your recipes.
Take a look at our catalogue or contact us for a quote.
