Pennsylvania’s New Trail Brewing Company highlights the state’s parks and forests via the company’s commitment to reforestation and environmental causes. Opened in January 2018, the Williamsport-based brewery produced 32,000 cases of its popular Hazy IPAs, pilsners, amber ales, and stouts in the first year alone.
However, the brewery’s environmental mission is what truly makes it stand out from the (six) pack.
New Trail’s mission is to highlight the natural resources and beauty of the greater North Central Pennsylvania region while producing top-quality beers and distributing them to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This mission aligns with the background of Mike LaRosa, New Trail’s director of brewing operations and partner. His environmental studies were a huge influence on his desire to combine brewing with the state’s wilderness.
Photo Courtesy New Trail Brewing Company
“When I went to college, I thought that I was going to change the world all by myself, and as I went through my studies, I learned change happens one step at a time,” LaRosa told The Business Download. “In that idea, I realized I could make an impact through an industry I had become passionate about. New Trail’s goals have been aligned with raising awareness for Northern Central Pennsylvania’s beauty and finding causes we all can get behind, like planting trees.”
“Reforestation benefits breweries by improving water quality through natural filtration processes in forests, which enhances the purity of water sources used in brewing,” he explained. “Healthy forests also contribute to carbon sequestration, helping offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with brewing operations and supply chains.”
“Additionally, reforestation supports biodiversity, fostering a stable ecosystem that can provide sustainable resources for brewing ingredients like hops and barley,” LaRosa continued.
That dedication to the environment led New Trail to capture top honors at the 2023 Craft Beer Marketing awards, including a Global Crushie in the Bigger than Beer: Cause-related Beer Project or Campaign category for a unique brew: the Replenish IPA.
Replenish IPA is part of the brewery’s New Trail State Park Beer Series, highlighting state parks and forests across the Keystone State. The series is designed to salute the parks with limited edition releases, with proceeds from the sales going directly to the park it represents.
For Replenish IPA, one dollar from every case and a portion of kegged draft sales are donated to the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation’s fund to plant and replenish the native tree population. Since the project began in September 2022, New Trail has donated $25,000 for reforestation.
Photo Courtesy Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
“As the brewery grew, we wanted not only to highlight the Greater Northern Central Pennsylvania area but focus on the treasures that we have throughout the state in their backyards,” LaRosa said.
“We partnered with Pennsylvania Parks and Forest to target specific parks and projects happening at those parks that we could help them reach their goals.”
LaRosa also loves to drink the beer he brews for this series.
“I recently enjoyed an I Love My State Parks, as it was a part of a nationwide campaign to promote stewardship and preservation in all state parks,” he said. “However, I hold French Creek State Park (the beer) near and dear to my heart as it was a local park to me as a child, and I have fond memories of being there.”
Photo Courtesy Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation
New Trail also connects with a wide range of people and organizations in areas dedicated to elevating the quality of Pennsylvania’s outdoor resources, including local trails, the Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation, and PA Trail Dogs.
“The brewing industry is an agricultural-based business, and we use materials, like malted barley and hops, grown in North America primarily. It is important for us to help maintain our climates,” LaRosa said. “At New Trail, we feel that being outside is good for the mind, body, and soul, so we’d like to do our part to preserve it for future generations.”
