Malt consumption is at an all-time high as Australia's taste for craft beer increases, despite a decline in overall beer consumption across the country.
Craft beer could present huge opportunities for barley and wheat growers as the industry experiences record growth in Australia and overseas.
While craft beer represents only 5 per cent of the total Australian market, it's growing by 10 per cent each year as consumers turn away from mainstream beers.
Craft Beer Industry Association executive officer Chris McNamara said the industry had experienced "stratospheric" growth over the past five years.
"In the past year we've had about 40 new businesses come into the industry and now we have about 310 breweries and brewing companies."
It's an international trend, with the US industry - the world's biggest craft beer market - growing by two brewers each day.
The US Brewers Association this month reported the craft beer industry had grown to 4144 brewers, the highest number since the late 1800s.
In Ireland, there has been a three-fold increase in sales of craft beer since 2010, with at least one brewery in every county.
"It's a drink for anyone - young and old, male or female - to have with any meal because there's such a depth and range available," Mr McNamara said.
There was also the opportunity to increase the export market.
"We have a small number of craft breweries that export, but the main market is the US, which is already flooded with craft beers," he said. "With our clean green image we think Asia could be a good export area as we get the capacity to service the Australian market as well as the export market."
