2023 Sustainability Report
Last year we decided it was time to share our sustainability efforts with you all - so you can hold us accountable and feel good about drinking our beer.
Since Remnant was founded we have aimed to reduce our impact on the planet while simultaneously crafting some of the highest quality beer in New England. We've honed in on four key categories to guide our sustainability efforts and measure our impact: prioritizing local ingredients, repeat usage and proper recycling of can carriers, repurposing spent grain as animal feed, and reducing our CO2 emissions and water usage. Dive deeper into these initiatives below…
1. WE USE LOCAL INGREDIENTS IN OUR BREWING PROCESS!
New England is home to an incredible bounty of top-tier ingredients, and we're thrilled to support our local growers and suppliers. Our commitment goes beyond just sustainability—it's about showcasing the unparalleled quality that comes from our own backyard.
Four Star Farms in Northfield, MA grows the Cascade (“Masscade”) hops featured in every batch of our Bow St Session, as well as Chaos, Pepite and Crystal in some of our IPAs and Pale Ales.
Valley Malt in Holyoke, MA provides Warthog Wheat for Hang Time and other IPAs, locally grown malted Maize for Hella Crispy Corn Lager, and Spelt - alongside other grains.
Our dedication to local doesn't stop there. In fact, we take it right to our own backyard—literally. With five varieties of hops grown in Charlie’s (our Head Brewer) backyard and lovingly harvested by our staff each September, our Vestige Saison embodies the true spirit of farm-to-glass brewing.
In addition to malt and hops, we’ve used all kinds of MA-grown ingredients like cranberries, chanterelle mushrooms, coriander seed, and thyme. And our aged delights find their home in barrels from local artisans like Bully Boy Distillery, Deacon Giles Distillery, and esteemed wineries across the region.
Supporting our friends at local businesses is great but our use of local ingredients significantly reduces our carbon footprint too. By sourcing from our neighbors rather than across the globe, we're not just crafting exceptional brews—we're making a positive impact on our planet.
2. 100% OF OUR CAN CARRIERS ARE GIVEN A SECOND LIFE THROUGH INNOVATIVE RECYCLING
Four years ago, when Rob Vandenabeele from Eco Friendly Beer Drinker reached out with his ingenious plan to repurpose PakTech can carriers, we knew we had to be a part of it. Together, we've kept countless pieces of plastic—otherwise destined for oceans or landfills—out of harm's way. Rob supplied us with a large box placed at our front door, inviting guests to drop off their used can carriers. Every week, our team meticulously sorts through these carriers, keeping the clean ones of specific colors for our canning runs. Any extras are swiftly returned to Rob, who ensures they find new life at other breweries or are properly recycled.
In 2023 we didn't purchase a single new can carrier. Instead, approximately 12,000 Remnant 4-packs were packaged using these re-used carriers! And that's not all—thousands more were collected and handed back to Rob for further recycling and re-use. To all our incredible guests who've joined us in this sustainability journey, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your efforts have made a tangible impact, and we invite you to continue bringing back your PakTechs throughout 2024 and beyond.
3. ALL OUR SPENT GRAIN GOES TO FEED FARM ANIMALS!
Breweries generate (literal) tons of spent grain every year. Many breweries send theirs to composters, a commendable step towards sustainability, but here at Remnant, we take it a step further. Against The Grain is a local company that picks up our spent grain and ensures that all of it goes to feed livestock like cows and pigs. This not only diverts tons of grain from landfills but also plays a crucial role in conserving water that would otherwise be used in monocrop farming.
In 2023 alone, all 75,243 lbs of Remnant's spent grain went towards nourishing farm animals. This simple act saved a staggering 1,672,209 gallons of water and prevented 24,147 lbs of CO2 from entering our atmosphere!
4. WE ARE REDUCING OUR CO2 AND WATER USAGE
In 2023, we took significant strides towards reducing our carbon footprint and conserving precious water resources through a series of efficiency measures. To minimize our CO2 emissions, we've adopted practices such as using Nitrogen instead of CO2 to move our beer from fermenter to brite tank and kegging off beer. This simple switch not only reduces our carbon footprint but also ensures a cleaner, more sustainable brewing process.
Water is a precious resource, especially in brewing. That's why we've made it a priority to limit water usage at various stages of our brewing process. Our meticulous approach includes managing the level and temperature in our hot liquor tank—the heart of our brewing water supply. By optimizing these factors, we not only reduce water waste but also cut down on the electricity needed to heat our brewing water.
Through these efforts, we've not only reduced our environmental impact but also improved the efficiency of our brewing operations. Every step, from the selection of ingredients to the final pour, is a testament to our commitment to sustainability. Together, let's toast to the power of brewing with purpose. Visit us and be a part of something truly special.
