A diverse group of 20 malting barley varieties, which originated in and are adapted to growing regions south of 52 degrees north latitude, were field tested in three consecutive growing seasons in order to determine the level of grain maturity that characterized each variety grown under southcentral Alaskan growing conditions.

The growth of Alaska's hand-crafted beer brewing industry has provided a potential opportunity for Alaskan grain farmers to develop a new local market for their grains as well as become a key player in the pacific rim malting barley production effort. A malting barley industry would be positive for the Alaskan economy while creating new jobs and lifestyles for Alaskan workers, brewers, and farmers. The results of this research along with previous research regarding malting barley production in southcentral and interior Alaska have precedented the potential of Alaskan soils to produce quality malting barley.

It was determined after three growing seasons of field evaluations that all of the varieties tested were indeed adapted to southcentral Alaska's growing season. All varieties tested also reached full maturity in the field before harvesting. It was also determined that all of the varieties tested produced grains that were of acceptable quality regarding physical and malting characteristics. The results of this research warrant further investigation to evaluate other early maturing malting barley varieties that can reach full maturity in the field as well as those varieties that might best suited for commercial field production and malting purposes in Alaska.