Energy Efficiency, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  July 18, 2019

Crafting a decrease in energy usage

Craft Brew Alliance (CBA), a leading craft brewing company, posted a decrease in their all-in electricity and gas usage, including breweries, pubs, and offices, of 2,759 Gigajoules in 2018 compared to 2017, with 16% of their energy coming from RECs, on-site solar and biopower.

CBA highlighted these accomplishments in its sixth Annual Sustainability Report today. For this year’s report, CBA is incorporating certain metrics using standards set forth by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

 “As the seventh-largest craft brewer in the U.S., we’re committed to walking the walk when it comes to sustainability,” said Julia Person, Corporate Sustainability Manager, CBA. “That’s why we track total CO2 emissions across our facilities and have started including SASB metrics in this year’s report. From our bio-powered Portsmouth brewery, to our new Hawaii brewery’s innovative solar solution, to our Portland brewery’s industry-leading water and energy usage intensity and our support of more than 500 local community non-profits across the U.S., we’re proud of the work we’re doing to curb our resource usage and help brew a better planet for today and tomorrow.”

Among the highlights reported by CBA:

• Multiple carbon offset projects that offset 600 metric tonnes of greenhouse gases, equivalent to 10% of total carbon emissions.
• With the help of our suppliers, a sharpened focus on packaging lifecycle management, arming the company with data on the cans, glass, cardboard, and kegs that flow through our supply chain.
• In its Portsmouth, New Hampshire brewery, the company improved HVAC systems and added new controls to manage heating and cooling usage. A goal has been set to generate 90% of available kWhs on their biopower system and continue to purchase 100% green power through RECs.

CBA is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and operates breweries and brewpubs across the U.S. CBA beers are available in all 50 U.S. states and 30 different countries around the world.