Brewer Reduces Water And Energy Consumption

Inside Brewery Vivant's pub.

When you are committed to making the world just a bit better, it doesn't mean that you have to ignore pleasure. Many people consider being able to kick back with a good brew to give pleasure. After all, what's not to like about joining friends and sampling the local ale or beer?

Did you know that there are some breweries here in the US that utilize environmentally friendly processes to make their products? One of the first breweries to become LEED certified is BREWERY VIVANT, located in Grand Rapids, MI. It even started out by recycling an historic funeral home into its site for producing micro-brews.

Now, this brewery was one that didn't have to contend with scarcity of water supplies, since it is located so close to Lake Michigan. Even most home brewers know that making beer requires a large supply of water. But because water is scarce in other locations, the owners of Brewery Vivant have always respected their use of water resources.

According to Kris Spaulding, sustainability director and owner, "We rely so much on fresh water for our product, given that beer is mostly water. That dependence gives brewers an appreciation and respect for water and nature that is deeper than many other industries."

Although water is so integral to the beer-making process, Brewery Vivant still went to work trying to find ways to reduce the company's water usage. By 2013 they had come up with a plan to make their beer with a five to one water to beer ratio, significantly less than what is used by other breweries. The following year they thought that they had discovered a process to reduce the ratio even further, but discovered, to their disappointment, that they had actually increased the ratio.

But in order to earn the LEED designation, this brewery went even further in areas that didn't involve the brewing process. Throughout the building, the company utilizes high-efficiency lights, along with motion sensors that allow lights to be turned off automatically when they aren't in use. They also utilize green energy by CONSUMERS ENERGY, provided by wind turbines and and landfill gas recapture.

The company culture also promotes energy sustainability among its employees. Through its "You Can Beer The Change" project, Brewery Vivant offers monetary incentives for employees to come up with ways to reduce energy waste and brewery emissions. Since most employees live fairly close to the brewery, the company also offers rewards for using public transit, walking, or biking.

In the brewery, barrels of beer age.

Now, the company isn't just a brewery; it also runs a pub. If you go, you'll be reminded of the ambiance of an old world monastery, minus the monks. Food is made from scratch, ingredients are locally harvested, and the cuisine is European. It makes a great match for their Belgian- and French-inspired beers.

Locally grown greens, supported by Brewery Vivant.

Thanks for information from this article by Kayla Schultz for Yes! Magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/drink-your-way-to-sustainability-with-these-climate-conscious-microbrews; and the above links.

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