MSU Quality Labs
Maintaining high quality standards is crucial to growth of the craft malting, brewing, distilling and milling industries. Grain and fermented beverages should be tested at a lab that understands which quality factors are important and uses standardized methodologies approved by the industry.
Raw malting barley and other grains are tested at the MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center Grain Quality Lab in Chatham, MI utilizing methods outlined by the American Society of Brewing Chemists. The lab participates in the ASBC check sample program to ensure confidence in results.
Malted grains and fermented beverages are tested at the MSU Fermented Beverage Lab in East Lansing, MI.
Samples received at the labs by Tuesday will be processed within the week. All other samples will be processed the following week. We strive to have results reported seven to ten business days after your sample has been received by the lab.
The labs will be closed the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Independence Day. Samples will be processed immediately upon our return to the lab. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions regarding these temporary closures, please contact the labs.
Analysis options
To learn more about the quality parameters analyzed and methods used for malting barley and other grains, please refer to our Understanding Malting Barley Analysis fact sheet.
| Grain Analysis Options | ||
| Analysis option | Includes | Price/sample* |
| Complete analysis | protein, moisture, kernel assortment, pre-harvest sprout, DON and germination tests | $109 |
| Protein + Moisture | using Infratec Nova NIR | $39 |
| Kernel assortment | using Pfeuffer Sortimat K3 | $26 |
| Pre-harvest sprout | using Perten RVA Starch Master 2 | $52 |
| Deoxynivalenol (DON) | using Neogen Raptor | $41 |
| Germination energy, capacity and water sensitivity | germination energy, capacity and water sensitivity | $33 |
| Malt and Fermented Beverage Analysis Options | ||
| Analysis option | Includes, Sample size | Price/sample* |
| ABV | Alcohol % by volume and SG of any product. Requires 50 mL sample | $20 |
| HPLC – Sugars, Acids, Alcohol | Determination of Dextrin, tri, di and mono – saccharides, malic, acetic, lactic and tartaric acids, glycerol, and ethanol. Requires 50 mL sample | $42 |
| GC - Higher Alcohols and Esters | Determination of Acetaldehyde, Ethyl acetate, Methanol, n-Propanol, Isobutanol, 1-Butanol, Active and Isoamyl Alcohols. Requires 50 mL sample | $75 |
| GC - VDK | Vicinal Diketones - 2,3, butanedione (diacetyl) and 2,3 pentanedione. Requires 100 mL sample | $85 |
| IBU of Wort of Beer | ASBC method for IBU determination. Requires 100 mL sample | $38 |
| Simple Malt Analysis | Moisture, Extract, Color. Requires 1 kg sample | $100 |
| Malt 1 | Moisture, Extract, Color, FAN, DP, Alpha Amylase, Filtration Time, Clarity, pH, Friability. Requires 1 kg sample | $165 |
| Malt 2 | Moisture, Extract, Color, FAN, DP, Alpha Amylase, Filtration Time, Clarity, pH, Friability, Protein S/T, Viscosity, Assortment. Requires 1 kg sample. | $200 |
Submitting samples
All samples must be accompanied by payment and a completed lab intake form (before submitting the online form, print a copy from your web browser).
Malt and Fermented Beverage Lab Intake Form
Contact
Questions and inquiries for the Grain Quality Lab can be directed to colema98@anr.msu.edu or (906) 439-5114.
Questions and inquires for the Fermented Beverage Lab can be directed to shrinern@msu.edu.