March 18, 2014

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA – Praxis Communications has begun planning and design work in preparation for launching a new startup commercial malt house. Keystone Malt, a Pennsylvania corporation established in 2014, is an artisanal malt house dedicated to providing high quality, well-modified brewing and distilling malts sourced and converted from barley grown in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Keystone will serve its customers by providing a local product that is sustainable, renewable, environmentally responsible, and unique to the specific farm lands from which it is sourced. Keystone is committed to supporting local farmers, local businesses, local consumers and the local economy.

Throughout the 1800s, malt houses were common in the eastern states until a blight on the crop wiped it out in the latter part of the century. Today, most of the malt is shipped from mega producers in the West, Midwest and Canada, and almost all of the hops grown in the US come from the Northwest. Those trends are changing because two significant influences are coming together today: the craft brewing boom and a preference for local ingredients.

Praxis' owner, Alan Gladish, who also happens to be Keystone Malt's founder, said, "As a home brewer and an individual who has always enjoyed making things from scratch, getting into the malting business is a really exciting opportunity. Speaking as a business marketing consultant, it will be a joy to promote!"

Praxis Communications is a full-service business-to-business marketing communications agency that implements and manages focused strategies designed to achieve its clients' specific communications goals. Founded in 1979, Praxis functions as a marketing partner for companies seeking a blend between powerful creative and a comprehensive strategic approach to marketing communications.