If barley is left in a damp container and stirred it will germinate and produce high levels of alpha amylase which converts the starch to sugar. This process is called malting and the product is malt. This sugary solution can then be used for making whisky and beer.

A few years back there was a tall white building in the centre of Abingdon with A.B.M on its side. Beside it stood an equally tall round topped steel drum. It looked agricultural.

On that site there is a new town centre housing development called The Maltings. Persimmon Homes are making more out of the word maltings than ABM or more recently Simpsons Malt ever did. Simsons moved the large germination drums from Abingdon to Tivetshall in 1999. No need for Malt once Morland the last brewer closed in the same year.