Hannan, released in 2007 is a high yielding early spring feed barley that is being evaluated for the Australian domestic brewing industry.

Variety WABAR2315 is a semi-dwarf replacement for Baudin with improved grain yield, grain plumpness and resistance to barley leaf rust, and is being considered as an export malt barley variety.

Department of Agriculture and Food barley industry development officer Jeff Russell said 150 tonnes of each variety had been provided for quality testing and malt evaluation.

"The varieties have also been sown at six sites around the State this season to bulk up grain supplies so that further malting and brewing trials can be undertaken in 2009," he said.

"Hannan is being malted by Kirin Australia in Forrestfield and WABAR2315 by Joe White Malting in Adelaide.

"Malt samples will then be sent to the Swan Brewery for commercial brewing and Pilot Brewing Australia in Melbourne for small scale pilot brewing."

Mr Russell said to receive malting accreditation, the varieties would need to meet protocols established by Barley Australia and the Malting and Brewing Industry Barley Technical Committee.

"Pending the results of the malting evaluation and quality testing, both varieties could be accredited for brewing use at the end of 2009, with market development commencing soon after," he said.

Both varieties were bred under the department’s breeding program, Barley Breeding Australia, which is supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.