With so many eco-friendly options readily available in the world, it should come as no surprise that many alcohol brands are also sustainably produced and done without sacrificing quality.
Sustainability issues in alcohol
Alcohol production and consumption can have various sustainability issues and environmental impacts. Some of the top issues include:
- Resource Exhaustion: Beer and wine, in particular, require a significant amount of water, energy, and raw materials, which can strain local resources, especially in water-scarce regions.
- Waste & Emissions: Carbon emissions from production and transportation and waste from packaging and production processes.
- Chemicals & Pollution: Fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture lead to soil and water pollution. The wastewater from alcohol production often contains high levels of organic matter, which can pollute the water and harm wildlife.
- Deforestation: Rum and whiskey specifically rely on the cultivation of sugarcane and barley, which can lead to deforestation and habitat loss.
- Transportation & Distribution: Long-distance transportation and distribution of alcohol products contributes to carbon emissions and other environmental impacts.
Initiatives and practices being introduced in the alcohol industry to help address these sustainability issues include sustainable farming and production methods and eco-friendly packaging.
Top eco-friendly drinks
And without further ado, we've rounded up a list of sustainable alcohol brands!
Fat Tire Beer
From New Belgium Brewing Company, Fat Tire Beer is America's first certified carbon-neutral beer. New Belgium Brew Co. was established in 1991 by Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan in Fort Collins, Colorado. As a pioneer in the sustainable craft brewing industry, New Belgium has implemented several practices to reduce its carbon footprint in its goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. Because they are an employee-owned B-Corporation, their structure has allowed them to focus on sustainability and long-term carbon-neutral goals over short-term profits.
Patrón Tequila
A premium, well-known brand produced in the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. John Paul DeJoria and Martin Crowley founded the company in 1989, making their tequila from 100% Weber Blue Agave. Patrón has implemented sustainable agave farming practices, including organic and traditional farming methods, to ensure the agave plants' long-term health. Some of Patrón's products have been certified as organic by third-party organizations and have invested in energy-efficient technologies to reduce their carbon footprint.
Truett-Hurst Winery
A California-based winery located in the picturesque wine region of Sonoma County. In a region famous for its high-quality grape production, this winery is known for its wide assortment of wine produced in small batches. Truett-Hurst is known for its biodynamic farming, a holistic approach to agriculture, treating the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem. Their packaging is another way this winery stands out in sustainability, with their paper bottles designed to reduce the carbon footprint associated with glass bottles.
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Started in Austin, Texas, in the first legal distillery in Texas in the early 1990s. Small batches made in traditional pot stills set Tito's apart from the large-scale distilleries, which is common in the vodka industry. Aside from being made from 100% corn, distilled six times, and with no added flavors, Tito's has also invested in renewable energy sources and water conservation methods to reduce their carbon footprint. The company has also been transparent about its packaging and distribution processes, as well as its responsible sourcing practices for high-quality ingredients from farms practicing responsible farming methods. Another unique thing that Tito's has done was to build a 14-acre farm so fresh food is accessible to its employees.
Ørbæk Brewery
Also known as Ørbæk Bryggeri, this is a Danish brewery in Ørbæk, on the island of Funen. They produce a range of organic beers (ales, stouts, lagers, and seasonal brews), using ingredients sourced solely from certified organic farms. Organic farming avoids using fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and herbicides, protecting the soil and nearby water sources that these chemicals would seep into. They have a CO2-Recovery Plant that captures surplus CO2 emissions from the beer production process, which reduces CO2 emissions by 50 tons annually. The emissions are then repurposed for soda production and are done so without affecting the soda's taste or aroma. Ørbæk Brewery has been recognized as a model for environmentally responsible brewing in Europe.
Nc'nean Distillery
This Scottish organic whisky distillery produces experimental spirits and is a self-proclaimed pioneer in sustainable production. Nc'nean uses an assortment of renewable energy sources - solar panels, a biomass boiler, and a water source heat pump, all of which reduce their need for fossil fuels, thus lowering their carbon footprint. The packaging Nc'nean decided to use is recycled glass bottles and FSC-certified packaging. The distillery uses only organic barley in its whisky production. It has also placed a strong emphasis on preserving biodiversity on its estate, including protecting the local flora and fauna to preserve the natural habitat.
EcoSpirits
Based in Singapore, this is an innovative company that operates on a global scale with multiple spirits brands, distilleries, bars, and restaurants that implement sustainable practices. The initiatives and technologies they work with are designed to promote sustainability in the industry and aim to help in all aspects of the alcohol-making process, from production to transportation to packaging recycling. EcoSpirits works with spirits production companies to help them achieve sustainability certifications and labels, which have become more important to consumers.
Long Story Short...
So, cheers to these companies for using renewable energy, responsibly farming raw materials, reducing waste, implementing recycling initiatives, using electric vehicles for transportation, and transparency about their sustainability efforts. All while creating consistently excellent drinks!
Written by Andrea Jeschke
