Mission

Blue Ox Malthouse seeks to push the possibilities of craft beer and spirits and support Maine agriculture by providing high quality Maine-made malt. Reinvigorating a centuries old craft, we are committed growing the connection between brewers and farmers while striving to grow communities and serve as a model for sustainable and environmental practices.

Background

Maine has a vibrant craft brewing community and strong agricultural economy, but lacked the infrastructure needed to connect these two important industries -until now. In 2013, Joel Alex left his job, apartment, and "9-5" life to found Blue Ox Malthouse with the goal of becoming a catalyst for fostering relationships between farmers, brewers, and other food producers.

In January 2014, with two tons of grain from Aroostook County, Joel processed his first pilot batch of malts at Coastal Farms and Foods, Inc. in Belfast, ME.  This would lay the groundwork for Blue Ox Malthouse's work with the state's agriculture and brewing communities to provide the perfect Maine malt. 

A year later in Spring of 2015, Blue Ox Malthouse found a permanent home in Lisbon Falls, ME. From empty warehouse to functioning malthouse, Blue Ox began full malt production in Fall 2015 and held their Public Grand Opening on January 25th, 2016.

This is just the beginning of our story... 

team Blue Ox!

Hard Working & Dedicated.

@Blueoxmalthouse instagram

We’ve known Heather and Mike for years and are excited to see them officially licensed. You bet we’ll be sipping on one of their farmhouse beers (full of Maine ingredients🌾)when the tasting room opens later this spring!
We just unloaded some organic barley from the steep tanks to germinate on the malthouse floor. Doesn’t it look good!?
When the shovels and rakes are hung up for the day Joel pours a beer. Staff meetings are extra special when we have freshly delivered beer. Thanks Black Pug Brewing! We love you and your THAI.P.A. <Lime>!
Benji admiring the color of a malt blend (50% Yankee Pils, 50% Caramel 40) during sensory last week. We check the color, smell, and taste of our malts to ensure quality and consistency.
Have you met our friendly Maltsters yet? Top to bottom, left to right: Dave, Joel, Alex, Kyle, David, & Benji who steep, rake, shovel, and bag the malt for your tasty beers. Not pictured: Mike, who keeps things running while we're gone.
Is there anything more beautiful than sprouting grain on the malthouse floor?
Allagash's 16 Counties is made with Maine barley, wheat and oats and now comes in cans! Here's Joel adding some of our Pale Malt to the first 16 Counties brew of 2020!
Thanks to everyone who helped make 2019 our best year yet! #maltmatters
We'd like to share our deepest condolences to Eben's family and everyone at Bear Bones. Eben Dignman was a creative, thoughtful man with a big heart who we will sorely miss. Tonight we'll pour one out in his honor.
Meet Brian: the brewer behind the great beers at Brickyard Hollow. He's brewing a variety of styles that are consistently excellent, including their flagship kolsch that uses our malt.
When you let the maltsters out to play... they go to Allagash Brewing for the day! Thanks @allagashbrewing for showing us how our malt becomes tasty beer!⠀
We spend at least 10-12 hours turning each batch of our Pale malt while it germinates on the floor. That's a lot of podcasts!
We source some of our organic grain from the Gerritsen Family at Wood Prairie Family Farm. They have been growing MOFGA certified crops in Maine for over 40 years, just six miles from the Canadian border. . . . . (1) Amy and Sarah checking for rogue
Floor maltsters unite! Thanks @admiralmaltings for a great visit!

Follow us as we photo document the #MaltMatters movement!