CONCORD, New Hampshire, February 10, 2022 (ENS) – The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has joined the New Hampshire Brewers Association to open a new program honoring environmental leaders in the craft beverage industry from the more than 90 craft breweries in the state.
The fledgling Sustainable Craft Beverage Recognition Program expands on work the Department of Environmental Services has been doing with the craft beverage industry through the agency’s Pollution Prevention Program to improve energy efficiency, conserve water, minimize waste and reduce the volume and strength of wastewater.
It is a voluntary program offered to environmental leaders in the craft beverage industry who go above and beyond regulations to produce high quality, eco-friendly craft beverages.
The difference between craft beers and other beers is that mass-produced beers and can be watered down to make brewing cheaper, while craft brewers focus on richness of flavor, quality, and sustainability, as well as production costs.
The most troublesome environmental issues that craft breweries face are: water consumption, wastewater, solid waste and by-products, energy use and emissions to the air.
The Sustainable Craft Beverage Recognition Program will promote environmental best practices and provide technical assistance toward sustainable and operational goals.
The program was created as a way to publicly recognize craft beverage producers who are making sustainable choices, preventing pollution and conserving resources. The brewers and the state both view the program as a way to encourage other producers to establish sustainable practices.
To be recognized in the program, producers must meet sustainability requirements and provide information on an environmental initiative at their business that reduced the amount of water, energy, waste or greenhouse gas emissions generated.
Then the brewers submit applications to be considered for admission into the program. Once accepted enrollment is renewed yearly, and is based on the idea of continuous improvement.
The program offers support through videos, webinars, guidance documents and on-site visits to help producers continue to expand their sustainability efforts.
New Hampshire provides more resources for those who want to become sustainable brewers. The University of New Hampshire Brewing Science Laboratory is both a fully equipped professional beverage manufacturing facility and one of the most advanced analytical beer chemistry labs in the state.
Completed in the spring of 2018, the laboratory supports the university’s Brewing Science minor and provides beer testing services to New Hampshire brewers.
The Brewing Science Laboratory is licensed by the federal Tax and Trade Bureau to produce alcohol and by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission as a Beverage Manufacturer to produce and sell beer and cider. Beer produced in the lab is sold through University Hospitality Services for on-campus events, and to restaurants in the city of Durham, where the university is located.
Membership in the Sustainable Craft Beverage Recognition Program includes state recognition, technical assistance and networking opportunities.
Members will be featured on the New Hampshire Brewers Association Beer Trail Map and also shown on the New Hampshire Sustainable Craft Beverage Program Member Map.
The New Hampshire Sustainable Craft Beverage Recognition Program is open to all craft beverage producers in New Hampshire. For more information on the program or to apply, visit the Sustainable Craft Beverage website, or email nhppp@des.nh.gov.
Featured image: New Hampshire Brewers Association brewery members celebrate a new law signed by Governor Chris Sununu (rear row, center) that allows more flexibility to craft brewers in selling their products directly to consumers. August 13, 2021 (Photo courtesy New Hampshire Brewers Assn.)
