Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island uses innovative clean energy technologies to decrease its environmental impact. According to Energy News Network, the Westerly-area business was the first craft brewery in the Ocean State to implement carbon technology to capture and reuse waste carbon dioxide emissions on site. It also recently revealed a new solar project expected to cover at least a third of the company’s total electric usage.
Photo Courtesy Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island
Founded in November 2011 by Alan and Jennifer Brinton, Grey Sail Brewing implements Earthly Labs’ carbon dioxide capture system. It converts emissions to liquid carbon dioxide, which is used to carbonate its beer. The system’s plug-and-play carbon capture technology, called “CiCi” (short for carbon capture), captures waste carbon dioxide during the brewing process, which is equal to the absorption work of 1,500 trees each year.
The capture technology ensures that none of the waste is released into the atmosphere.
The technology’s waste reduction is significant, especially after the brewery increased its annual capacity to more than 15,000 barrels in 2017.
“Brewing is unique in that you generate carbon as a byproduct, but you also consume it, too,” Alan told Energy News Network. “This investment allows us to reap environmental benefits from brewing great beer.”
Photo Courtesy Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island
The system works because the yeast used to ferment beer breaks down malt sugar and converts it into two things: alcohol and carbon dioxide. In traditional systems, carbon dioxide would be released directly into the atmosphere. Now, a system of pipes captures it and converts it to liquid in a refrigerator-sized box, where it can be stored safely away from clean air.
To date, Alan told Energy News Network that Grey Sail captures approximately 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each month and more in the summer as beer production increases seasonally. The Earthly Lab system is unique because it is designed so smaller beer producers — those who brew under 20,000 barrels annually — can afford it.
Photo Courtesy Grey Sail Brewing
According to Eco-Friendly Beer Drinker, Grey Sail celebrated its 12th anniversary with the addition of more than 100 rooftop solar panels.
Grey Sail worked with CSG and Beacon Solar to install the panels, generating 59 megawatts of electricity every year.
Over the lifetime of the photovoltaic system, the panels will generate more than $400,000 in electricity savings while reducing greenhouse emissions.
“Every day, we are looking at ways to lessen our environmental impact in all aspects of our operation,” Alan told the site.
The brewery also makes sure community work is a part of its mission. Grey Sail partners regularly with Work Vessels for Veterans, a veteran-operated nonprofit that helps returning vets begin their civilian careers or educational pursuits.
Photo Courtesy Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode IslandGrey Sail is available in stores and restaurants in states along the Eastern shoreline, including Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. It offers nine year-round beers, as well as popular seasonal brews such as Leaning Chimney and Autumn Winds.
