Solar thermal brewing systems are becoming attractive to brewers (photo: Flickr)
- If you don’t know by now, I have a soft spot for the brewing industry. On weekdays, I tread through green building projects and disputes, but on the weekend, I spend time designing and crafting beer. Local craft brewers Big Al Brewing and Hales Ales are now finding ways to be green in the brewery.
Months back, I chatted about the first solar thermal brewing system in the Seattle area. South Park neighborhood’s Big Al Brewing took on a sizable investment in a relatively innovative energy system. Seattle’s Net Zero Impact installed a brand new solar hot water system, necessitated by significant production growth at the brewery. Big Al required an additional 2,000 gallons of water per day to meet demand, and with financial incentives for green building, this upgrade was a great move.
The new hybrid system is expected to save Big Al approximately $12,000 per year and pay itself off in roughly 2 1/2 years. While the initial investment carries a cost of roughly $89,000.00, Big Al was only on the hook for roughly $30,000.00, thanks to energy efficiency incentives. Sounds smart to me.
Recently I found out that another local brewer is making an energy upgrade. The Daily Journal of Commerce is reporting that Fremont’s Hales Ales is now installing a similar hybrid solar thermal brewing element. Using the same contractor, Hales will save about $15,000.00 per year in natural gas costs.
A green-built brewing system seems to be a no-brainer. When I sat down to help design and plan a growing brewery, I noticed that significant upgrades can be made in the areas of heating and cooling, steam collection, water recycling, and material reuse. Good to know that some brewers are thinking about being more sustainable.
