The News
Riverbend Malt House, based in Asheville, NC, has introduced Crystal 80, a new malt in its Crystal family. This malt uses a proprietary kilning technique to produce a crystallized core with an SRM range of 70 to 90. It is designed for use in styles like English Mild or Barleywine and features notes of dark cherry, baker’s chocolate, coffee cake, and oak.
Riverbend Malt House in Asheville has introduced a new high‑SRM malt, Crystal 80, to its lineup. Brewers seeking deeper color and richer flavor can now purchase the product.
The move signals Riverbend’s focus on premium products within a market where overall volume is contracting, yet specialty‑malt spending is rising. Industry analysts forecast a 6.8 % compound annual growth rate for craft malt through 2030, while total beer sales dipped 2.3 % in 2025—the first decline since 2016. With that backdrop, Crystal 80 offers brewers an option with a 70‑90 SRM range compared to the more common 55‑65 SRM of Crystal 60, allowing differentiation without larger volumes.
The release lists the product as available only for purchase; no mention is made of retail or tasting‑room channels. The proprietary kilning technique creates fully crystallized kernels and delivers a flavor profile of dark cherry, baker’s chocolate, coffee cake, and oak.
Distributors may see continued demand for high‑SRM specialty malts; those working with craft breweries should highlight Crystal 80 to brewers looking for deeper color in English Milds or Barleywines.
On‑premise stocking would depend on brewer relationships, as the product is sold only through a direct‑to‑brewery channel and is absent from conventional retail aisles.
Riverbend’s introduction of Crystal 80 comes at a time when the brewing sector is moving toward higher‑color, premium styles.
Original Press Release
ASHEVILLE, NC—Riverbend Malt House is adding its darkest malt offering yet to its Crystal malt family. Crystal 80 is now available for purchase.
After years of research and development to inform the move from caramelization to crystallization, the Riverbend team is pleased to add Crystal 80 to its portfolio. This new malt is produced using a proprietary kilning technique that mimics the stages of a standard roasting profile without the intense heat. The result is a truly crystallized malt that delivers syrupy smooth dark cherry and baker’s chocolate, finishing with a touch of coffee cake and oak. This malt will add deep color and complexity to styles like English Mild or Barleywine.
Like all the products in Riverbend’s Crystal family, if the kernels were to be cut open, one could see their crystallized cores. The malt house team is proud to have achieved this effect, especially in this darkest product that comes in at an SRM range of 70 to 90. Crystal 50 delivers syrupy smooth toffee notes supported by hints of coffee and dark chocolate, with an SRM range of 45 to 55, and Crystal 20 yields loads of light caramel and toffee flavors followed by hints of pumpernickel and black tea, with an SRM range of 15 to 25.
Contact your sales representative or email orders at riverbendmalt dot com to place an order of Crystal 80.
Contact hutto at radcraftbeer dot com with media inquiries about Riverbend Malt House.
Sources consulted (web research):
- Riverbend Malt House Crystal 80 Malt Is Now Available
- Riverbendmalt site
- The Malting Process Visiting Riverbend Malt House
Source: BevNET