There’s a short article in this month’s Beer Advocate about Valley Malt, a new maltster in Massachusetts that is the only micro-maltster east of the Mississippi.

They create base and specialty malts, using traditional barley varieties that date back to the first New England settlers.

In addition to matching many homebrewers’ desires to support local producers, VM’s malt apparently has a more “rustic” flavor profile than more commonly used malts.

For homebrewers, VM sells 2-Row, 120L Crystal, and Winter Wheat by the pound; prices are better for bulk purchases.

This seems like a great way to buy local while adding some unique flavor to a brew.