Since 1870 we’ve lived and breathed malting. With this passion and expertise, and by combining traditional and modern techniques, we create an impressive range of malted and non-malted products, including several unique and exclusive barley malts.
There is nothing more we love than talking to brewers and distillers so if you have any questions, or would like to arrange a call with a member of our team, please feel free to get in touch – we would love to hear from you!
At Crisp Malt, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do — from the barley we source to the communities we work in. That’s why we are proud to support the ongoing initiative to control giant hogweed along the Burn of Tynet, an important local conservation effort led by the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative and delivered by the local project officer based at the Spey Fishery Board.
The Burn of Tynet flows close to our Portgordon Maltings, making this project especially meaningful to us. As part of our commitment to creating a positive environmental impact in our local area, we donated £1,680 to the Spey Fishery Board to support the clearance of invasive species such as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed from the burn. We are also excited to roll up our sleeves and help on the ground — some of our team will be volunteering at the Burn of Tynet to assist with the clearance work.
“Invasive non-native plants like giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed have taken over big stretches of the Tynet Burn, crowding out native plants and significantly reducing local biodiversity,” said Karen Muller of the Spey Fishery Board.
“Thanks to Crisp Malt’s support, we were able to hire a specialised spray tank that allowed us to tackle the worst giant hogweed patches faster and more efficiently. Later in the year, the donation also covered contractor work to reduce the spread of Japanese knotweed. Support from local stakeholders like Crisp Malt makes a huge difference.”
For the first time, giant hogweed control was carried out across 10 km of riverbank, including heavily infested floodplain areas. Work was carefully planned in three sections — upper, middle (including the Core burn area), and lower sections — with a top-down strategy designed to prevent seeds from spreading downstream. Specialised equipment was brought in to handle the most challenging areas, and the results have already had a visible impact on the landscape.
While the lower section awaits future treatment, the progress so far has helped prevent a massive expansion of the seedbank and laid the groundwork for sustained, long-term control. Japanese knotweed treatment, which began in 2023, has also continued this year, making future giant hogweed control more effective by improving site access and visibility.
“We are proud to support the work that the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative are doing to clear invasive species from the Burn of Tynet,” said Ellie Wood, Sustainability Coordinator at Crisp Malt.
“It is exciting to see the great positive environmental impact that the clearance is already having, and we are looking forward to seeing this progress.”
As part of a multi-year strategy, ongoing control efforts will require continued support from landowners, contractors, volunteers, and stakeholders. At Crisp Malt, we are committed to playing our part in restoring the Burn of Tynet to a healthier, more natural state — for the benefit of biodiversity, the local community, and future generations.
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