Malt-Shovel
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This sign could be found between Great Barr and West Bromwich, close to the old cottage in which Francis Asbury was born. The Malt Shovel sign generally, but not always, indicates that a malthouse was used nearby or, indeed, behind the pub itself. This particular public house has however been rebuilt. The huge wooden shovels were used in the traditional floor malting process to turn the barley. The raw grain is allowed to partially germinate by steeping it in water. But just as any seedlings start getting ideas above their station, they are whisked off to the brewery because, at this stage, they have the perfect combo of sugars and proteins to give the malt flavour we beer drinkers lust for.

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