He thought it would be great to bring that concept to Australia. 

Mr Whytcross teamed up with Brad Woolner and rallied support to crowd fund Voyager Craft Malt in Whitton, a company which produces small batch artisanal malts from seasonal grains grown in the Riverina. 

On Wednesday, the small family-owned company received a big funding boost from the NSW Government which will enable it to expand – and create another ten jobs in the region. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro made the announcement in Whitton, as part of a visit across the MIA. 

Member for Murray Austin Evans said, “today’s funding announcement is a fantastic commitment by the NSW Government to continue to invest in jobs in the Murray electorate,” Mr Evans said.   

“Voyager Craft Malt is a family owned company. Those families have been producing high quality barley and cereal grains in the Riverina for four generations. It’s also the first company to build a beer malting facility that uses single origin, locally grown grain for craft beer and whiskey. 

“A new malting facility in Whitton will provide the missing link in the ‘paddock to pint’ process, which brings consumers closer to the production of the beers they enjoy, while creating more jobs in the region,” he said.

Mr Barilaro said the amount of funding is commercial-in-confidence, but Mr Woolner confirmed it would enable his company recruit another ten employees. He expected the expansion to take place over the next 12 to 18 months. 

“With today’s funding announcement, beer lovers across Australia will finally be able to enjoy locally crafted beers brewed from a range of different grains that are grown and malted sustainably in the Riverina,” Mr Barilaro said.