At North Coast Brewing Company, our passion for craft beer goes hand-in-hand with our responsibility to care for the planet. Sustainability isn’t a buzzword here—it’s a core value that guides our decisions every day, from how we brew and package our beer to how we manage waste and support our community.

Breweries are energy-intensive, resource-heavy operations, but we believe that with a little creativity and commitment, we can reduce our environmental footprint without compromising the quality of our beer.

“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to environmental stewardship extends from our brewing processes to our community partnerships. We are proud to share the progress we’ve made toward minimizing our ecological footprint, including our internal water recycling program, TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certification, and our non-GMO Project verification.” – Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Owen.

Sustainability in Action: How We Repurpose Our Spent Grain

One of the most significant byproducts of brewing beer is spent grain—those grains that are left over after the wort (the liquid base of beer) is separated during the brewing process. While it may seem like waste, spent grain is actually a highly nutritious byproduct, loaded with fiber and protein. Instead of sending it to a landfill, we work closely with Fortunate Farm just down the road in Caspar, CA to deliver our spent grain, where it’s used as compost to enrich soil. As it composts the mass of material breaks down by about half, into a soil that is microbially and micronutrient rich, pH balanced, low in bulk density, and carbon rich. The finished compost is the only input to the farm soils.

This practice not only prevents unnecessary waste but also helps reduce the carbon footprint of transporting this byproduct over long distances. By working with local farms, we create a circular economy that benefits everyone—our brewery, the local agriculture community, and the environment.

Compostable Packaging Reinforces our Sustainability Goals

Packaging is one of the most visible—and wasteful—elements of the brewing industry. The trend towards single-use plastic rings for six-packs of beer is something that many breweries have been rethinking in recent years.

With the installation of our new canning line, we are excited to be able to leave behind bulky cardboard wraps in favor of sleek, sustainable can rings. These eco-friendly can holders are made from natural plant fibers and other compostable materials that break down naturally over time, unlike the traditional plastic rings that can take hundreds of years to degrade. Compostable packaging options like Eco-Can Holders are a crucial step toward reducing waste, and they align with our mission as a Zero Waste Facility.

By using these compostable alternatives, we not only make it easier for our customers to dispose of packaging responsibly, but we also contribute to the larger movement toward a plastic-free future. It’s a small but meaningful decision that makes a significant difference overall. Our commitment to sustainability extends far beyond the beer itself, and we’re proud to see the industry making strides toward cleaner, greener alternatives in packaging. “Compostable carrier rings are a great solution for us and the planet,” said Jennifer Owen, Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer. “We hope to inspire others to make the switch.”

Sustainability in Every Drop: Our Approach to Water Conservation

Water efficiency is a top priority at North Coast Brewing Company. We are proud of our internal water recycling program, which allowed us to recycle 93,758 gallons of water internally last year. This is an 8.2% increase in water recycling compared to 2023!

Additionally, we monitor and optimize water usage in every step of our brewing process, collaborating closely with our brewing crew to ensure we’re using the least amount of water possible without sacrificing quality. In the brewing world, where water scarcity is becoming an increasing concern, we believe that every drop counts—and we’re committed to minimizing our water waste.

Make Every Day Earth Day!

Being an Earth-friendly brewery isn’t just a one-day-a-year effort. It’s a year-round commitment to making better, more sustainable choices in every aspect of our operations. Whether it’s delivering spent grain to local farms, switching to compostable packaging, or reducing energy and water consumption, we are constantly looking for ways to make our brewery more environmentally responsible. By integrating sustainability into our daily practices, we’re helping to ensure that craft beer can be enjoyed today and for generations to come without leaving a lasting negative impact on the planet.

To read more about our Earth-friendly initiatives, check out our annual Sustainability Report.
Cheers to a greener future!