Crack the Code: Malt COA’s

If you’ve ever looked at a malt COA and thought, “Cool… but what am I supposed to do with this?”, you’re not alone. A Certificate of Analysis (COA) can look like technical overload—but it’s actually one of the most useful tools in your brewing kit.
This page is your resource hub for making sense of the COA and using it to brew better beer, consistently.
🎧 Start Here: Listen to the Episode
In our latest podcast episode, “Crack the Code: Using Malt COAs to Brew Better Beer”, we break down what a COA is, when to actually use it, and how it can help you hit your gravity, improve your efficiency, and solve problems before they start. Whether you’re a beginner or brewing professionally, this is the guide we wish we had years ago.
👉 [Listen to the episode here] (insert link)
📄 Download the COA Glossary
This free PDF explains all the acronyms and numbers you’ll find on a malt COA—in plain English.
Perfect for printing out and sticking in your brew log or taping up near your grain mill.
🍺 Grab the COA Style Tip Sheet
Want to know which COA values matter most for your favorite beer styles?
This reference sheet matches BJCP style categories with the extract, FAN, protein, and diastatic power numbers you should be watching.
A must-have for recipe design and substitutions.
📊 [Download the Style Tip Sheet]
📢 Coming Soon: All-Grain Brewing Class
Ready to go deeper with your brewing? We’re launching a brand-new All-Grain Brewing Course at Northwest Brewers Supply—covering everything from mash schedules and water chemistry to reading COAs and refining recipes.
If you want to be the first to know when enrollment opens, sign up below and we’ll keep you in the loop.
🧪 [Get Notified When Class Launches] or visit https://mailchi.mp/nwbrewers/all-grain-class-pre-registration
Brewing is equal parts art and science—and when you understand your ingredients better, the process becomes easier, more consistent, and a lot more fun.
These tools are here to help you turn that wall of numbers into better beer.
Questions? Want to share how you’ve used COAs in your brewing?
Send us a message or stop by Northwest Brewers Supply—we’d love to hear what you’re brewing.
940 S. Spruce Street
Burlington, WA. 98233
Tel. (360)-293-0424
E-Mail: brew@nwbrewers.com