Figure 4.1 Distribution of malting barley varieties as a percentage (%) of area seeded with malting barley in western Canada in 2025 and 2024.
2025
2024
Graph data
2025
Malting barley variety
Area seeded (%)
AAC Synergy
35.6
Sirish
14.0
CDC Copeland
13.5
Connect
11.7
CDC Churchill
9.6
CDC Fraser
8.9
AC Metcalfe
1.1
CDC Copper
0.9
Bill Coors 100
0.7
CDC Goldstar
0.4
Other
3.5
2024
Malting barley variety
Area seeded (%)
AAC Synergy
33.6
CDC Copeland
17.4
Sirish
13.9
Connect
12.3
CDC Fraser
8.1
CDC Churchill
7.1
AC Metcalfe
1.5
CDC Copper
1.1
Bill Coors 100
0.6
CDC Goldstar
0.3
Other
4.2
AAC Synergy
In 2025, AAC Synergy continued to be the most popular malting barley variety seeded in western Canada. AAC Synergy is a high-yielding variety that is characterized by relatively high kernel weight and plumpness, and relatively low grain protein content. AAC Synergy has shorter and stronger straw than AC Metcalfe and CDC Copeland. It is resistant to spotted net blotch, netted net blotch and spot blotch. AAC Synergy has a desirable malting quality profile with high malt extract, good protein modification, low levels of wort β-glucans, and intermediate levels of starch-degrading enzymes.
Table 4.1 Quality data for AAC Synergy malting barley in 2025
Samples
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Western Canada
Number
22
15
1
38
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1
The area seeded with CDC Copeland continued to decrease in 2025, but CDC Copeland remained the second most popular malting variety seeded in 2025. Its excellent brewing characteristics, combined with protein and enzyme levels that are lower than AC Metcalfe, provide an excellent balance among malting barley varieties.
Table 4.2 Quality data for CDC Copeland malting barley in 2025
Samples
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Western Canada
Number
6
14
0
20
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1
The area seeded with AAC Connect in 2025 was similar to last year. AAC Connect, registered in 2016, has excellent agronomic traits and disease resistance. AAC Connect has a very good yield potential, typically 11% higher than AC Metcalfe and 5% higher than CDC Copeland. Compared to AC Metcalfe and CDC Copeland, it has shorter, stronger straw and heavier, plumper kernels. Its maturity date is similar to that of AC Metcalfe. It is resistant to spotted net blotch, surface-borne smuts and stem rust, and moderately resistant to Fusarium head blight (FHB). This variety offers high extract, moderate to high enzymes and relatively low FAN levels, as well as good brewhouse performance and fermentability.
Table 4.3 Quality data for AAC Connect malting barley in 2025
Samples
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Western Canada
Number
5
15
8
28
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1
CDC Churchill is a recently registered variety (2019), whose seeded area has increased drastically since 2023. It is a high yielding variety (3% higher than AAC Synergy). Its maturity date is comparable to that of CDC Copeland. It has shorter, stronger straw with good lodging resistance. It is a variety with low grain protein, low to moderate levels of malt enzymes and high extract potential. CDC Churchill is moderately resistant to spot form net blotch and net form net blotch. It is moderately susceptible to Fusarium head blight (FHB).
Table 4.4 Quality data for CDC Churchill malting barley in 2025
Samples
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Western Canada
Number
13
10
4
27
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1
CDC Fraser, registered in 2016, is a high yielding variety with shorter, stronger straw and excellent lodging resistance. Its yields are 14% higher than AC Metcalfe and 8% higher than CDC Copeland. Its maturity date is similar to that of CDC Copeland. High kernel weight and plumpness and good resistance to spot blotch and spotted net blotch characterize CDC Fraser. This variety offers high extract, high enzyme activity and high FAN levels.
Table 4.5 Quality data for CDC Fraser malting barley in 2025
Samples
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Western Canada
Number
9
8
0
17
Tonnage represented by samples
(thousands of tonnes)Footnote1
CDC Goldstar is a lipoxygenase (LOX)-less malting variety, developed by the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, in collaboration with Sapporo Breweries, Japan. The absence of the LOX-1 trait contributes to improved flavor stability in beer. In addition to high lodging resistance, CDC Goldstar has 6% higher yield than CDC Copeland. The malt quality of CDC Goldstar has higher diastatic power and lower wort β-glucan content than CDC Copeland and controllable proteolytic modification. This variety, currently offered under identity preserved contracts, is valued in the brewing industry for its ability to produce malts and beer with better flavor characteristics.
Table 4.6 Quality data for CDC Goldstar malting barley in 2025Footnote5
Bill Coors 100, registered in Canada in 2020, is a 2-row malting variety bred by Molson Coors. Bill Coors 100 is a high yielding, semi-dwarf variety with a very high yield potential. Under irrigation, it demonstrates exceptional yield potential, making it a strong choice for both growers and maltsters. Its short and sturdy straw provides outstanding lodging resistance, while early maturity supports stable yields across diverse growing conditions. Bill Coors 100 produces malt with high extract values and low wort β‑glucan levels, ensuring superior brewing efficiency.
Table 4.7 Quality data for Bill Coors 100 malting barley in 2025Footnote7
SY Stanza is a European‑style, dual‑purpose 2‑row barley variety developed for both malting and feed. It combines strong agronomic performance with excellent malting quality. Registered in Canada in 2023, SY Stanza delivers yields approximately 10% higher than CDC Copeland and 1% higher than AAC Synergy. It features shorter, stronger straw with notable resistance to lodging and shows moderate resistance to scald and surface smut. Importantly, SY Stanza is a glycosidic nitrile (GN)‑free barley variety, making it well suited for distilling. GN can lead to the formation of carcinogenic compounds during distillation. The non‑GN trait makes SY Stanza particularly valuable to the craft brewing and distilling industry.
Table 4.8 Quality data for SY Stanza malting barley in 2025Footnote8
CDC Armstrong is a newly registered (2024) 2‑row hulless malting barley variety developed by the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. It was developed to replace CDC Clear, offering higher yields across all soil zones, shorter plant height, and similar lodging resistance. The variety shows excellent grain plumpness, few thin kernels and good threshability, making it attractive for growers. CDC Armstrong demonstrates lower grain protein, reduced wort β‑glucan and viscosity, and higher wort extract and free amino nitrogen (FAN) compared with CDC Clear, supporting its strong potential for brewing and distilling applications.
Table 4.9 Quality data for CDC Armstrong hulless malting barley in 2025Footnote9
CDC Pristine is 2‑row hulless malting barley variety developed by the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan. Registered in Canada in 2024, it was bred to deliver both strong agronomic performance and excellent malting quality. CDC Pristine offers high yield potential, improved kernel plumpness, and good lodging resistance. It is characterized by low grain protein, high extract values, high enzymes, and low wort β‑glucan content, making it well suited for brewing and distilling applications.
Table 4.10 Quality data for CDC Pristine hulless malting barley 2025Footnote10
