Admiral Maltings, a local, unique malt-producing facility in Alameda’s “Spirits Alley,” made its last batch of malt on Oct. 2, an emotional last day of operation as it closed down its floor-malting production. Founded in 2017, the business used the traditional and labor-intensive process of floor malting to germinate grains for craft beer and spirits manufacturers. However, in a national climate in which breweries are closing and fewer people are drinking, Admiral Maltings announced, “Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t make and sell malt economically.”
Its Alameda pub, The Rake, featuring more than a dozen beers made with its unique malt, will close Oct. 18.
Photos by Douglas Despres
Derek Timm-Brock uses a machine to close the last ever batch of floor malt bags during the last day of operation of Admiral Maltings in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Co-founder Curtis Davenport shovels the last batch of malts inside the kiln of the during the last day of operation of Admiral Maltings in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Co-Founder Curtis Davenport speaks with his employees (out of frame) during the last day of operation of Admiral Maltings in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Detail of malts inside the kiln of the very last batch inside during the last day of operation of Admiral Maltings in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Sam Silberstein uses a paint brush to clean off debris from a Stone Mill used to make flour, during the last day of operation of Admiral Maltings in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Detail of the last batch of floor malt bags inside Admiral Maltings’ last day of operation in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Detail of maturing malts used in the beer making process from the floor of Admiral Maltings’ in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Detail of resting work boots inside the production facitily Admiral Maltings on their last day of operation in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Co-founder Curtis Davenport (far right) takes an emotional moment after shoveling the last ever batch of malts inside the kiln on the last day of operation of Admiral Maltings in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026 Also pictured from left are Tim Decker, Kim Sturdavant and Derek Timm-Brock. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Diego Salinas stands upon a tall ladder to remove a pair of hanging work boots worn by former employee Anthony DiPasqua, who abruptly passed away in 2025, inside the production facitily of Admiral Maltings on it’s last day of operation in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. Hanging up boots is a tradition by past employees to leave their mark, or in this case honor the life of DiPasqua. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Left, side building view of Admiral Maltings, right, detail of a dart board and sabre inside the employee break space of Admiral Maltings on their last day of operation in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
A group photo of Admiral Maltings Co-founders and employees during the last day of operation in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. Pictured from left are Noah Cachuela, Milo Benjamine, Brandon Balassi, Sam Silberstein, Tim Decker, Ron Silberstein, Zack Reinstein, Curtis Davenport, Derek Timm-Brock, Diego Salinas, and Thomas Brenkwitz.(Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)
Aerial view of Admiral Maltings and The Rake building in Alameda, Calif. on October 2nd, 2026. (Douglas Despres for Bay Area News Group)