The
very beginning of a university semester can either be ridiculously laid-back or
incredibly jarring; either way you're going to want a drink. In addition, my
father recently took a "beer appreciation" course, and so over the
Christmas holidays I got my ear chewed off about the difference between lagers
and stouts, brewing history and proper glassware. This all got me thinking
about the impact of the beer industry and if brewing and beer consumption could
be done in a sustainable manner. So I did some research (and some sampling) and
here is what I would love to share with you about how to make greener choices
about beer, or sustainabrews, if you will.
As
with most things, buying locally-made/sourced products can be better for the
environment and also for the local community. Primarily, there is less energy
used in transporting the products when they are domestic. Furthermore, you
support small businesses in the community. So when choosing between something
locally-brewed or a larger corporate mass market brand, it's usually better to buy
local. If that's not available, buying domestically is better than
internationally.
Now,
if you are buying a bigger name brand, in their 2016 Sustainability
Report Molsoncoors
pledged to go landfill free, reduce energy consumption by 25% and reduce water
consumption by 15% by 2020. Interestingly, Labatts most recent
environmental report only features numbers from 2011 and despite claiming that
"environmental stewardship is a key focus of [their] everyday operation",
their current environmental initiatives are not so transparent.
Thankfully
some of my favourite Ontario craft breweries have made strides forward in their
sustainable practices. Millstreet Organic
is an award-winning, Toronto-based craft brewery who, among numerous
environmental initiatives, use only domestic, local or seasonal organic
ingredients and have an extensive recycling and waste management policy. On a
smaller scale, a really cute and emergent brewery in Blyth, ON called Cowbell has pledged to become the first
carbon-neutral brewery in North-America and have integrated environmental
stewardship into every aspect of their business.
In
switching back to locally-brewed brews, the Ottawa community has recently
become known for its growing craft beer market. Dominion City Brewing Co., a
small-batch brewery which began as a Kickstarter campaign, emphasizes giving
back to the local community by recycling and reusing as much as possible and
responsibly disposing of brewing by-products.
Finally, Beau's All Natural is Canada's first
ever Benefit Corporation brewery, who not only use all natural and certified organic
ingredients and use only eco-friendly packaging, but have given back over $1
million to local charities and community initiatives! Even more exciting? The
CEO and co-founder of Beau's All Natural Steve Beauchesne will be the keynote
speaker at the Telfer School of Management's Entrepreneurs’
Club ‘Toast to Success’ Business Dinner on February 1st at the Canadian
Museum of History!
Some other things you can do to make your beer consumption a little more sustainable include choosing what's on tap when at the bar and properly recycling and even returning your cans and bottles afterwards. So good news! If you're looking for these sustainabrews, you don't have to look far! Father and Sons, Café Nostalgica and the Sandy Hill Lounge and Grill all have Beau's All Natural on tap and Dominion City can be found also at the Sandy Hill Lounge and Grill. Furthermore, all the near-by bars have extensive domestic options available.
As
in all things, it is so important to look into the environmental practices behind the products we consume and to support
the ones which are good for us and good for the earth. Choosing sustainable
beer, or Sustainabrews as I like to call it, is a great way to feel a little
better about drinking a little more.
@trashlesslovemore