Brooks Grain was named for Brooks Fields, a legend in the grain industry. Brooks developed a reputation as a high-quality grain supplier to distilleries dating back to the early 1960’s when his employer, Burdick Grain Company, a specialty grain marketing firm, supplied malting barley to the brewing and distilling industries.

Brooks supplied corn and rye to various distillers and grew that business over time. He eventually became the premier supplier of high-quality rye to the U.S. distilling industry as well as one of the major suppliers of corn to the Canadian distilling industry.

In 1978, his daughter Erica joined Burdick Grain and began to learn the business. When Brooks retired, Erica continued in the industry becoming an experienced international grain merchant. All the while continuing to supply the distilling industry and ensuring the quality and availability of high-quality rye to her customers. In 2007, she decided it was time to take control of the business herself and Brooks Grain was born.

Cara Fields, Erica’s daughter, joined the family business in 2008 and spent 10 years focusing on supplying the craft distilling industry. During this time, Cara developed strong marketing skills needed to assist this market and has since gone on to open her own distillery. Currently Jeff Moser is our Craft and Milled product sales representative. Jeff has been with our partners CGB Enterprises for 10 years, focusing on operations. In 2018 when we built our mill and packaging line he trained to manage and operate the mill and has extensive experience and knowledge of our product line.

In 2016 Nick Nessan, Erica’s nephew and the grandson of company namesake Brooks Fields, came on board. Nick, with 4 years of experience in the pits of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and Chicago Board of Trade, as well as 6 years of grain trading experience from the U.S. Midwest, to the western prairies of Canada brings a unique blend of grain market knowledge to the business.

Along with founder Erica Field’s 44 years of international grain marketing for multi-national grain firms and coops, the Brooks Grain team has the well-rounded expertise to answer all of your needs. The company has now moved to Louisville KY, the center of the Bourbon industry and is excited to be your supplier of preference.

Brooks Grain, LLC has partnered with Consolidated Grain and Barge since its inception. Erica had been contracting with CGB for several decades to provide the logistics and storage facilities for the rye business. Upon creating this new venture, they are excited to work together to continue the tradition of supplying the quality rye that Brooks Grain, LLC’s customers have come to expect.

In February 2019, Brooks Grain, along with Consolidated Grain and Barge, launched their joint state-of-the-art milling and bagging facility. The new mill and bagging line allows Brooks to better serve the craft industry by creating a one-stop-shop for fresh, quality grain. Brooks Grain prides itself on making it easier than ever for distillers to access expertly milled and custom bagged grains.