LISBON FALLS — Blue Ox Malthouse, the maker of a key ingredient in craft beer recipes, is hosting a public open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, with tours, tastings and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The business is at 41 Captial Ave.

The founders of Blue Ox Malthouse are using the event to acknowledge a diverse group of organizations who rallied to support the company’s mission with an investment in local agriculture and rural economic development. Representatives from Coastal Enterprises Inc., Maine Technology Institute, Slow Money Maine, Maine Department of Community and Economic Development, the town of Lisbon, and the Maine Brewers Guild are among those who will be in attendance to celebrate.

Blue Ox Malthouse’s 7,500-square-foot facility uses traditional floor malting to process raw grain into malt, the ingredient used in brewing and distilling beer. The company is certified by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for organic and non-organic production, and this season is working with both barley and wheat.

Until recently, Maine grown grains had to be exported for processing before being imported back for brewing. With a capacity to produce more than 500,000 pounds annually, Blue Ox Malthouse is in the top 10 largest facilities of its kind in North America and provides an in-state market for up to three quarters of a million pounds of small grains.

In addition to founder and maltster Joel Alex and partner Steve Culver, Blue Ox Malthouse has one full-time employee, one part-time employee and contracts with local labor for production activities, though Alex expects to continue to grow the employee base over the next year.

Contact Alex directly at info@blueoxmalthouse.com or call 207-649-0018 for more information.