The process of making beer demands a lot from the environment, from the sourcing of ingredients like grains, hops and water, to the use of electricity, gas and other resources needed to power operations. Many brewers are becoming more thoughtful about how and where they source ingredients, and some are also turning to a larger power source to help offset energy demands: the sun.
A new craft beer brewery opens every six days in Australia, and many breweries both new and established are concerned with sustainability. Breweries practice sustainability by reusing water whenever possible, donating spent grain to local farmers or reusing it in restaurant food, and using smart packaging like recyclable and efficient cans and many are turning to solar to sourcing brewery energy needs.
The more recent shift to solar powered beer has perhaps been even more definitive among the nation’s independent craft brewers. Independent brewers have long complained about how energy prices are eating their profits and are taking action to generate their own power to help them compete against Australia’s larger breweries. Check out the guide to leather wallets.
A member of the Independent Brewers Association (IBA), Choice Energy has released a shortlist of Australian independent brewers they have helped save on energy costs.
“There is no denying that beer brewing simply is a very energy-intensive process. With the typical brewer spending $3,500 a month on energy alone, solar can be a viable option for many beverage businesses wanting to stay competitive by keeping operational expenditure down,” said CEO Christopher Dean.
A new craft beer brewery opens every six days in Australia, and many breweries both new and established are concerned with sustainability. Breweries practice sustainability by reusing water whenever possible, donating spent grain to local farmers or reusing it in restaurant food, and using smart packaging like recyclable and efficient cans and many are turning to solar to source brewery energy needs.
“With the greater expectation from consumers for companies to act more responsibly, more Australian brewers are turning to Choice Energy to explore renewable energy and improve operating costs. We have helped brewers save between $7,000 – $18,000 per year.
“For those that understand the brewing process and solar power, this growing partnership is no surprise,” said Dean.
Input costs continue to rise as a result of climate change and together with increasing energy costs put real pressure on indie brewers’ margins, especially when they are competing in a marketplace dominated by brewers who have greater economies of scale.
“The Independent Brewers certainly bat above their weight when it comes to sustainably initiatives because the industry tends to take a wholistic view of the businesses and share their concerns about our planet with the conscious drinkers out there,” said IBA Chairman Jamie Cook.
You will find a shortlist of Australian Independent Brewers that have engaged with Choice Energy to minimise operating costs and reduce their carbon footprint below.
Beer Garden Brewing, South Australia
Beer Garden Brewing is in Port Lincoln on the pristine Eyre Peninsula, known for its surf beaches, recreational and commercial fishing, shark cage diving and wheat and barley farming. They use local grain in every beer they brew and hold sustainability as a key value with solar power, use of rainwater for brewing, recycling of wastewater, an edible beer garden and spent grain from the brewing process feeding cows that later return to our menu to close the loop.
KAIJU! Beer, Victoria
Brothers Nat and Callum Reeves are dedicated to perfecting the art of crafting devastatingly good Victorian beer and cider. For over 15 years, they have been home brewing, making beers for parties and their own consumption.
Their brand KAIJU! Beer has won a bunch of awards for their beers and offer a great range of merchandise showcasing their quirky branding.
Slipstream Brewing, Queensland
Slipstream Brewing is an independent brewery and cellar door in Yeerongpilly. Slipstream brew and enjoy all kinds of beer. And they craft all their beers with balance, giving due credit to the malt, yeast, and water they use, and the important parts they play. But there’s a special place in their hearts for hops. They love the freshness and the juiciness, the zing and the zest. They love to explore different dimensions in IPAs, try interesting new styles, and create sessional beers that blow you away.
Batch Brewing Co, New South Wales
Batch Brewing Co is a craft brewery in the inner west of Sydney. They brew beer the traditional way, hand crafted and batch by batch. Brewing since 2013, they make a wide range of excellent, predominantly US influenced craft beer.
Yullis Brews, New South Wales
What happens when you combine a couple of mates, a bar full of the best craft beer NSW has to offer and a felafel roll working lunch? It seems the answer is a craft brewery! These were the exact ingredients that resulted in James Harvey and Karl Cooney forming Yulli’s Brews and releasing their first batch of beer in September 2014. After many years working at craft beer venue Yulli’s Restaurant in Surry Hills, Sydney, James and Karl sought to brew beer that could both stand alone in your everyday pub and accompany food in a fine dining experience.
Bodriggy Brewing Co, Victoria
Bodriggy’s beer is shameless. Brewed with false oaths, a single wild idea and vainglory. Just like the man himself. With a brewing house soon to open in Abbotsford Victoria, Bodriggy Brewing Co have some exciting times ahead.
Ocean Reach Brewing, Victoria
By using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, and combining them with their passion for craft beer
Ocean Reach Brewing’s aim is to provide the gold standard in the craft beer experience. They also take sustainability seriously. From production to the very first sip, they take every measure to ensure that their carbon footprint and water usage is minimised.
