6 reasons why homebrewing is green

Yesterday while I was helping my husband wash bottles for our next batch of homebrew – a Hefe Weissbier, if you need to know – I had a revelation.

Homebrewing is really green!

Homegrown hops - from the back yard!

Think about it:

1.  We source local ingredients as much as possible.

First, we grow our own hops and dry them to use all winter long.  We shop local homebrew stores that feature East Coast grains.

And this summer, we’re going to experiment by adding Jersey Fresh fruits to the batch!  This way we control what goes into our beer, which results in a better quality brew.

2.  We use our own filtered tap water.

Beer that you buy in the store is shipped hundreds of miles to get to you.  Do you know how heavy liquids are?  No wonder the price of beer has skyrocketed with the price of gasoline.  It costs a lot of money to ship that 6-pack.  By using our own water, we keep costs down.

3.  We brew in small batches.

This uses less energy than the big beer producers.  Plus the quality is so much better!

4.  We recycle our bottles.

And I don’t mean in the red bin every Friday   We keep our bottles, clean them, and reuse them for the next batch.

5.  We use less chemicals than the big guys.

Most of our cleaning is done with soap, water, and a handy scrub brush.  We also have a high-pressure water-spout attachment to get to the bottom of the bottles.

6.  We share with family and friends.

We’re not allowed to sell it, so we have to share it!

Having a get-together that features your own homebrew is fun and gratifying.  The beer doesn’t travel to get to the party, so it naturally tastes better.

Pair your homebrew with local produce for a gathering that is not only green, but very tasty, too!

So on this Earth Day, consider going green by giving Home Brewing a try.  Here are some resources to get you started:

Northern Brewer Homebrew Supply – equipment, education, and more

American Homebrewers Association – The Community for Homebrewers

Brew Your Own Bottle – local supply store in Haddon Township, New Jersey

brewjersey – Searching for the best brews and craft beers in South Jersey

Further reading:  A Wife’s Guide to Homebrew