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Eight ways breweries are helping the environment

March 12, 2015Chris Crowell

Earlier today we reported that 24 American breweries have signed on to a national Climate Declaration, calling for strong climate and energy policies in Washington. In keeping with that spirit, here are eight ways some of these breweries are innovating to reduce their environmental impact.

Also be sure to check out this white paper on brewery watewater and spent grain management.

1. Using renewable energy.

Allagash Brewery, Brewery Vivant, Deschutes Brewery, Odell Brewing, Redhook and Widmer Brothers are all using 100 percent renewable energy to generate electricity. New Belgium Brewing and Ninkasi Brewing have installed on-site solar arrays, and Kona Brewing Co. gets 50 percent of its electricity with roof-top solar. Odell Brewing, for example, has installed rooftop solar panels that generate renewable energy for their brewing process.

2. Cutting energy use by recycling steam.

Fremont Brewing and Odell Brewing are using steam from the brewing process to heat the next brew and lower their carbon footprints.

3. Sourcing local, organic ingredients.

Many breweries are opting for local, organic ingredients when crafting their brews.

efficient brewery lighting
Efficient T5 lighting systems with occupant and daylight sensors were recently installed at the Widmer Brothers Brewery. The brewery has reduced its energy use by 12 percent in 2014, to just 9.2 kWs per barrel of beer produced. Photo credit: Widmer Brothers Brewing.

4. Installing efficient lighting.

Breweries like Widmer Brothers Brewing have installed high-efficient lighting systems with occupancy and daylight sensors to reduce their energy use. Widmer Brothers brewery has reduced its energy use by 12 percent in 2014, to just 9.2 kWs per barrel of beer produced.

5. Capturing methane.

New Belgium Brewing’s wastewater treatment bubble captures methane, the potent greenhouse gas produced from the treatment process, which is then used to provide 15 percent of the brewery’s electricity needs.

6. Saving water.

Beer’s main ingredient is clean, fresh water. Breweries are increasing their water efficiency, especially in areas struggling with drought.

7. Cutting transportation emissions.

Many breweries are cutting their transportation footprints by reducing packaging and choosing cans, which lighten the load. Guinness has partnered with the U.S. EPA Smartways program that works with transportation carriers to reduce carbon emissions through better logistics.

spent grain sustainable brewing
The Alchemist lead brewer Jim Conroy of Waterbury, Vermont, moves a barrel of mash used to make Heady Topper. Photo credit: The Boston Globe.

8. Reusing spent grain.

Breweries like The Alchemist are partnering with local farmers to reuse the spent grain from the brewing process as compost or to feed livestock. And remember, spent grain should be OK now, in the eyes of the FDA.

For further sustainable brewing news, check out this story from a Michigan college that started an entire program for it.

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Arizona Wilderness Brewing debuts a pale ale to save water and more beers to know this week
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Why a focus on sustainability is good for a brewery’s business

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 3SheetsBrewCo says

    March 14, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    Great article on Ways Breweries are Becoming More Environmentally Friendly: http://t.co/SQb8LHwtxu

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  2. Kimberly Ann Spacy Grim says

    March 13, 2015 at 11:37 pm

    Kimberly Ann Spacy Grim liked this on Facebook.

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  3. RosarioLozanoD says

    March 13, 2015 at 6:01 am

    8 maneras en las que las cervecerías están ayudando al medio ambiente… http://t.co/5SAv6onI33

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  4. JCV_Consulting says

    March 13, 2015 at 6:00 am

    8 maneras en las que las cervecerías están ayudando al medio ambiente… http://t.co/C3Y6iP4Ei4

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  5. Mead Man Mike says

    March 13, 2015 at 3:37 am

    Mead Man Mike liked this on Facebook.

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  6. Douglas Ford Nipper says

    March 12, 2015 at 11:37 pm

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  7. GP_Analytics says

    March 12, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    8 ways #breweries are helping the #environment – http://t.co/pioHt58ijb – article @CraftBrewingBiz #beer #craftbeer

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  8. Brian Phipps says

    March 12, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    Brian Phipps liked this on Facebook.

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  9. EcoGrowler says

    March 12, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    RT @CraftBrewingBiz: 8 ways breweries are helping the environment #prettymuchawesome http://t.co/a6Se5f6DNa

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  10. Ryan Hamilton says

    March 12, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    Ryan Hamilton liked this on Facebook.

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  11. EcoGrowler says

    March 12, 2015 at 3:23 pm

    Eco-conscious Breweries are creating great beer and reducing their footprint! https://t.co/qAyR0dTM6n

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  12. Steven D. Hirschauer says

    March 12, 2015 at 2:52 pm

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  13. Jaye Beattie says

    March 12, 2015 at 2:52 pm

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    March 12, 2015 at 2:52 pm

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  15. ConfluenceLLC says

    March 12, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    RT @CraftBrewingBiz: 8 ways breweries are helping the environment #prettymuchawesome http://t.co/a6Se5f6DNa

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  16. mom24325 says

    March 12, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    RT @CraftBrewingBiz: 8 ways breweries are helping the environment #prettymuchawesome http://t.co/a6Se5f6DNa

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Trackbacks

  1. L’ECONOMIA DI GAIA con Gaia CACCIABUE – SpazioEconomia says:
    April 2, 2016 at 9:12 am

    […] https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/business-marketing/8-ways-breweries-helping-environment/ (7) […]

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  2. The Pros and Cons of Craft Beer | Groundswell says:
    May 14, 2015 at 4:58 pm

    […] Ska Brewing Company gives away craft brewing mash to feed cattle instead of dumping them in landfills. New Belgium boasts a 99% waste-diversion rate, even pumping back the methane generated in the treatment process to create energy—what amounts to a 14-15% reduction in its overall fossil fuel consumption. Brooklyn Brewery uses 100% wind energy, the first business in New York City to do so. (And they have a great Chocolate Stout). Allagash, Brewery Vivant, Deschutes Brewery, and Odell Brewing Company are just a few more examples …. […]

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  3. Don’t Just Start Sustainability, Spread It | Innes&Funn says:
    March 21, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    […] This article from Craft Brewing Business highlights 8 efforts craft breweries are making to do their part for the environment. […]

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  4. Eight Ways Breweries Are Helping The Environment - BeerRun Software says:
    March 18, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    […] Read more […]

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