Denver experienced an enormous rise in rainfall on July 20th, surpassing the total amount of rain received in June. This resulted in flooded roadways and a high volume of emergency calls, with 90 calls for service being made within just one hour. Meanwhile, severe hailstorms ravaged the farmlands in Berthoud, causing extensive damage to the crops on a malthouse’s farm and wiping out an entire season’s worth of produce.
Root Shoot Malting shared on social media the devastating impact on crops in the recent storm in Berthoud, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately half a million dollars.
The malthouse reported that the Berthoud fields suffered the most damage, with 12 acres of trial blue corn, 70 acres of Genie barley, 120 acres of distillers corn, and 300 acres of alfalfa destroyed.
The damage on the 500+ acres happened after five months of dedicated work, the growing season, and endless hours of irrigation. It was all ruined after a brief 30-minute hailstorm.
The farm is currently assessing its losses. The malthouse estimated the value of the damaged crops is over $550,000. All the acres of corn and barley designated for the malthouse have been completely lost. The malthouse stated that this year marked the first time they experienced a complete loss of corn and barley.
Even with the crop losses, there will still be sufficient whiskey for everyone at the malthouse. They always plan for catastrophic weather events, emphasizing the importance of preparedness as farmers and small-scale producers in the whiskey and craft beer industries. Their current grain stock is sufficient to last until next year’s harvest, ensuring a steady supply for brewers and distilleries in the coming months. However, the inventory will heavily depend on the success of next year’s growing season to replenish our supplies.
Some crops were left untouched. The farm mentioned that it could salvage approximately 300 acres of alfalfa, along with another corn field and Genie that are worth harvesting. The malthouse said they would approach the situation one day at a time as they waited to see what returning to normalcy entails for them and their fellow farmers.
