Slow clap: Redemption Rock Brewing becomes Mass.’s first Certified B Corp craft brewery

Redemption Rock Brewing Co. recently announced it has achieved status as a Certified Benefit Corporation. The certification is the result of an 18-month assessment process in which B Lab (the non-profit organization that provides certification) assessed and scored Redemption Rock’s performance across five categories: governance, workers, customers, community and the environment.

This certification makes the brewery the first Certified B Corp in Worcester, the first B Corp craft brewery in Massachusetts, and the third B Corp craft brewery in New England (joining The Alchemist in Vermont and Allagash in Maine).

Certified B Corporations (B Corps) are for-profit companies that use the power of business to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy. They meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. In order to become a Certified B Corporation, a company must achieve the minimum verified score on their B Impact Assessment from B Lab. The minimum score to secure certification in 80, and Redemption Rock Brewing achieved an overall score of 96.8.

Since opening its doors in January 2019, Redemption Rock Brewing has been dedicated to using its business to support its community, employees, and the environment. Some of its key initiatives include:

• Using blind hiring practices to promote improved diversity and inclusion in both the company and the craft beer industry.
• Providing all staff with a livable wage, cross-training opportunities, and resources for education in the craft beer industry.
• Donating all cash tips to local nonprofit organizations (in 2019, Redemption Rock donated more than $35k to local nonprofits).
• Implementing composting and recycling across the business to reduce waste.
• Measuring and limiting water and energy usage in its brewing process.

Big ole congrats to Redemption Rock.