Saaz hops are regarded as one of the best for aroma. The aroma is slightly different year by year, and farm by farm. Therefore, we always visit the actual farm, undertake sensory evaluations and select only hops most suited to The Premium Malt's. In addition, for barley and malt, we carefully confirm the characteristics of each batch of barley (grain size and plump, etc.) and finished malt quality, together with the malting company professionals. We deliver the raw materials to the breweries only after we check and discuss the quality. We always question ourselves, “What are the perfect ingredients for The Premium Malt's?”
![[Hops] Hops provide the gsoulh of beer and determine taste.](img/material_subtitle1.gif){kind=small}
To brew an aroma-rich beer
Hop is a climber plant. Part of the female flower (lupulin grand) provides the essential elements of beers which is distinctive aroma and bitterness. For The Premium Malt's, an aroma hop that imparts a mild bitterness and beautiful floral aroma is used in order to realize a beer with a fine aroma.
High-quality aroma hops used in abundance
Saaz in the Czech Republic and Hallertau in Germany are known as chief production areas for aroma hops. Suntory The Premium Malt's is made from only high-quality Saaz hops and Hallertau hops. In addition, Suntory pursues the truly authentic taste of beer by abundant use of the aroma hops.
Thorough quality control
Aroma hops breathe life into The Premium Malt's. Carefully selected hops are controlled at each process from harvest to use at breweries to maintain a high level of quality and freshness. At the same time, Suntory is engaged in the training of hop masters who are responsible for the process, starting with hop cultivation.
![[Barley] Carefully selected barley suitable for The Premium Malt's](img/material_subtitle2.gif){kind=small}
Good-quality beer starts with good-quality barley
The first step of beer making is to select good-quality barley. Prerequisites of superior barley are even grain size and a high starch content, good germination and appropriate protein content as well as strong enzyme power. Two-row barley is used for The Premium Malt's because this type of barley produces a beer with a fuller taste and refreshing hit.
100% large-sized barley malt, full of starch.
Malt plays an important role in determining the taste of beer. All malts used for The Premium Malt's are carefully selected, large-sized two-row barley malt. Golden-colored malt brings a refreshing aroma.
![[Natural water] Natural water maximizes the flavor and the aroma of quality hops and malt.](img/material_subtitle3.gif)
100% natural underground water for brewing our beer
Water accounts for approximately 90% of beer, and thus is an important ingredient in determining the quality. All water used for The Premium Malt's is clean underground water that has been filtered by the natural geologic stratum stable and free of the influences of seasons and weather. The rich mineral content also plays an important role in brewing quality beer.
Like the water in Pilsen in the Czech Republic, the birthplace of pilsner, the water in Japan is also soft. Water quality has a significant impact on the quality of beer. Careful selection of water is reflected in the precise locations of our breweries. The Premium Malt's is produced at breweries where underground clean streams close by–the perfect recipe for beer-making.
Efforts to conserve the environment at water sources
Suntory conducts comprehensive, repeated testing on deep groundwater to be used for brewing The Premium Malt's to ensure rigid quality control. We are also engaged in the preservation of the natural environment around precious water sources through forest preservation and other water source cultivation activities.
