Brewing Vegan Beer for a Greener Earth: A Vegan Approach to Brewing
In the world of craft beer, vegan options are becoming increasingly popular, and breweries are adopting sustainable practices to reduce their environmental footprint. Here's a roundup of some vegan beers and the innovative methods used by breweries to make their operations more eco-friendly.
Vegan Beers
Many popular beer brands are vegan-friendly, including Bud Light, Budweiser, Miller Light, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Schlitz, and Old Style. However, it's important to note that Coors Light in the UK contains isinglass, making it non-vegan. Similarly, Busch Light, Busch, Busch N/A, and Busch Ice are all vegan, but Leinenkugel's shandy and weiss lines contain honey. Michelob is vegan except for the honey wheat beers, and Rolling Rock is vegan as well.
However, Guinness and New Castle are vegan, although in 2016, some people reported allergic reactions to the levels of fish in the packaged beer. Blue Moon is not vegan in the UK due to the use of isinglass, and the honey wheat and honey summer ale are not vegan in the US. Sam Adams line, except for Cherry Wheat and Honey Porter, are not vegan.
Vegan Brewing Methods
Traditionally, fining agents like isinglass, gelatin, and Irish Moss have been used in brewing to provide clarity. However, these are seeing a downward trend due to various reasons. Vegan breweries clarify beer without animal-derived fining agents by using alternatives such as seaweed-based agents (Irish moss, kappa carrageenan), mineral and clay agents (bentonite clay, activated charcoal), plant protein finings (proteins extracted from peas or potatoes), natural haze acceptance/unfined beers, and filtration techniques like diatomaceous earth.
Sustainable Brewing Practices
Breweries are known for their water and power consumption, as well as the various waste streams they create. To address these issues, breweries are implementing green infrastructure early on, using LED lights, electric power as much as possible, and cutting down on plastic. Reducing water usage or offsetting it is another way to make a brewery more sustainable.
Dead Bird Brewing Company, a vegan brewery and winery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a prime example of a brewery that prioritizes sustainability. Nick Kocis, the owner and brewmaster, has over a decade of experience in the craft beer industry and is committed to making Dead Bird Brewing Company a model of environmental responsibility. They engage in various sustainable practices, including partnerships with the Milwaukee Riverkeepers, use of eco-friendly biodegradable chemicals, water redirection from a permeable pavement parking lot, and a smart lighting system.
Finding sustainable ways to deal with waste streams is also crucial. Spent grain can be shipped to other locations, used for mushroom cultivation, fish ponds, dog treats, or pizza crust. The taproom at Dead Bird Brewing Company features a vegan food menu, a parking lot with patterned pavers, a garden with native Wisconsin plants, a beer deck made of recycled plastic, and a roof with 208 solar panels.
Chemical and yeast runoff can affect local water treatment facilities. Reduction in chemical usage or using enzymatic cleaners can lessen the impact. Timing can also be important for sustainability; for example, heating hot liquor tanks overnight can reduce strain on the electrical grid and make electricity cheaper.
Packaging has seen a shift towards more recyclable materials such as aluminum cans and biodegradable six-pack rings made from spent grain. However, it's important to note that honey is technically not vegan.
In conclusion, the shift towards vegan beers and sustainable brewing practices is gaining momentum in the industry. Breweries are finding innovative ways to clarify beer without animal-derived substances and are adopting eco-friendly practices to reduce their environmental footprint. As consumers become more conscious of their choices, we can expect this trend to continue.
[1] Vegetarian and Vegan Beers [2] The Science of Brewing [3] Craft Beer & Brewing [4] Dead Bird Brewing Company [5] Brewing Techniques
- As consumers embrace healthier lifestyle choices, a growing number of popular food-and-drink brands such as Bud Light, Miller Light, and Pabst Blue Ribbon offer vegan-friendly options, demonstrating the potential for vegan beers to become mainstream in the craft beer sector.
- In the realm of science and brewing, innovative methods are being employed to produce vegan beers, with breweries turning to natural haze acceptance, plant protein finings, and seaweed-based agents to achieve clarity instead of traditional animal-derived fining agents like isinglass and gelatin.
- Demonstrating a commitment to both health-and-wellness and sustainability, some lifestyle-focused breweries such as Dead Bird Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opt for eco-friendly practices like water redirection, smart lighting systems, and partnerships with local organizations to reduce their environmental impact, thus blending both the vegan and green movements within the food-and-drink industry.
