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Rejoice! We've sourced local and climate concious beers for you.

Go overseas and aside from Vegemite, the next product you’ll get asked about is probably going to be Fosters. Everyone knows that Australians love beer.

We're one of the top 10 beer-drinking countries in the world and 42% of the alcohol sold in Australia is beer.

But, can you enjoy a beer and still claim to be climate-conscious?

Thankfully, yes! Craft beer has taken off in the last ten years or so, and with it comes an attitude of buying and selling locally, sustainable use of waste products, and a move towards more energy efficient production

The rule I like to normally go with when I purchase anything is 'local first'. It cuts down on the carbon miles and encourages supporting the little guy! As such some of these beers will be more appropriate for people in certain locations rather than others. But, all over the nation there are great local and backyard brewers doing delicious things in the craft beer scene. So there's sure to be someone near you cooking up something good!

Also, If possible drink from the keg! Less packaging means less landfill. Alternatively, many smaller brewers now sell growlers - a refillable half-gallon (just under 2 litre) bottle -that you can take to be to filled over and over!

Here's a few brews that are doing their bit for mother nature :

Bare Cove Raddler (SA):

Preservative and additive free, Bare Cove was the first certified carbon-neutral beer in Australia!

There's added lemon so this one has a bit of a summer vibe

Mountain Goat Organic Steam Ale (VIC):

Mountain Goat was the first in Australia to create a certified organic beer. Their brewery uses solar panels, harvests rainwater, and reduces water use where possible.

Coopers Pale Ale (SA):

One of the original craft beers to hit Australian shelves; Coopers brewery has won more than one award for excellence in environmental practices. Coopers has a cogeneration plant on sight which enables them to provide most of their energy in-house, with excess power being sent back to the South Australian energy grid. It saves an estimated 15,000 tonnes of C02 emissions a year. They also use saline ground water, which is taken from 200 meters underground and treated on site. On top of this they recycle 35 million litres of water a year and all glass and cardboard used in packaging is 100% recyclable.

Cascade Green (TAS):

Certified carbon-neutral and bottled in the lightest weight, highest recycled content glass bottle currently available in Australia. Packed in 100% biodegradable cardboard and printed with vegetable ink!

The Good Brew Co (VIC)

If you live in Melbourne then this bar on a bicycle is worth checking out. 'Deano' loves sustainable beer and will cycle his way to your party to provide to act as your climate conscious hostess with the mostess!

Frenchies Organic Pale Ale (NSW)

Frenchies is a small 'gypsy' brewing company, operating out of existing breweries in Sydney. They compost spent grain and donate the remainder be used as cattle feed. With a focus on local ingredients, their single barley malt beer can be traced from field to glass, while the organic pale ale is preservative free and uses certified organic ingredients.

I spoke to Frenchies Co-Owner, Vincent De Soyres about why he thought more brewing companies were taking on sustainable production methods. "Our team are all passionate trekkers and mountaineers, so for us it's important that we do what we can to take care of the land, and I think with the new generation of brewers we're seeing similar attitudes come up across the whole industry. Essentially, brewing is at the crossroad of agriculture and industry, therefore, with some good will, it's not hard to give back to the environment".

Did we miss any beers that you think should have made the list? Let us know in the comments section below.

READ THIS NEXT: The low down on natural wine and why you should be drinking it.

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Bindi Donnelly Former Head of Digital Suggest an article Send us an email

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