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Sustainable Brewing

March 2020

Lakefront Brewery - Milwaukee

Crafting quality beer in a socially and environmentally responsible way is being done today by breweries of all sizes. After a recent visit to Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, WI, we realized how many sustainable practices are being executed by this company that is producing over 40,000 Bbl of beer a year. With the owner’s mindset already focused on being environmentally friendly, the team at Lakefront took this commitment and ran with it. To list every sustainable effort that Lakefront has implemented would take far too long, so here are just a few highlights.

March 26, 2020
Sustainable Brewing
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A Glass Half-Full Approach: SBS COVID-19 Response

March has been an impactful month for the entire world. Our focus, our lifestyle and our daily routines have been completely altered by this current COVID-19 pandemic. Craft breweries are just one of many industries that are being heavily impacted during this time, yet the amount of resiliency that will continue to be seen, as we push forward, is quite inspiring. A lot of negativity has been brought to light surrounding the COVID-19 virus, so this is a great opportunity for us to take that ‘pint glass half-full’ outlook on these circumstances as it relates to craft beer. 

March 26, 2020
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February 2020

Down to the Basics: Supporting Local

With a new decade, brings new and even more innovative ideas for beers to be made.  From the now all-so familiar whiskey barrel-aged stout with coffee and chocolate, to the Double IPA loaded with an abundance of different hop varietals and kettle sours featuring every fruit that you could ever think of.  All of these beers have something in common, and that is the less than ordinary ingredients.

February 27, 2020
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Brewery Effluent: The Environmental and Financial Cost of Wastewater

It is well known that a major topic relating to the production of beer is water. As many most likely know, beer is made up of roughly 95 percent water. However, the amount of water used specifically for the production of beer is far greater.  According to the Brewer’s Association, somewhere around 70 percent of that production water intake will end up as effluent (the wastewater that is generated and discharged through the sewer system.)  Some of the main inputs in effluent which contribute to total suspended solids (TSS) include spent grain, yeast, and hops.

February 27, 2020
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January 2020

October 2019

Program Highlight - The Iowa Green Brewery Certification

The Iowa Green Brewery Certification (IGBC) is a program within the Iowa Waste Reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  The IGBC was launched 3 years ago when staff at the Iowa Waste Reduction Center were exploring options for industry-specific environmental assistance. Ultimately, the craft beer industry deemed to be a perfect fit because of its rapid growth and extreme energy-intensive processes.  Now going into its third year, the Iowa Green Brewery Certification continues to provide free assistance to all breweries in the state of Iowa who are looking to increase their environmental stewardship.   

October 30, 2019
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Community Involvement : An Ingredient for Success in Craft Brewing

Anybody that has visited their local craft brewery or follows a craft brewery on social media is most likely familiar with how involved these businesses are in their local community.  A few of the topics that likely come to mind when someone hears the word “sustainability” may include recycling, environmental stewardship, and even climate change. Community involvement and outreach are two very important branches of sustainability of which are often overlooked.  

October 29, 2019
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September 2019

Benchmarking for Success: Sustainably Reducing Resource Use

When implementing sustainable practices into their operations, breweries tend to start by looking at how they can reduce resource use.  It’s no secret that resources such as water and electricity are a crucial part of the brewing process. Without water or electricity, we wouldn’t have beer.  Through evaluating data and trends, breweries are now zeroing in on how to produce high-quality beer, while using the least amount of resources necessary.  

September 19, 2019
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Aslan Brewing Company

With more than 7,000 craft breweries across the United States today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out in a crowd that is already so unique.  Aslan Brewing Company in Bellingham, Washington has made some unique strides in their journey of producing craft beer.  

September 19, 2019
Sustainable Brewing
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