Beers That Give Back
Beer me! We're toasting to Beer Day by (1) cracking a few cold ones, and (2) celebrating Earth... because it's the only planet with beer on it (that we know of). Beer and Planet Earth -- what a dynamic duo. In fact, it's SO dynamic that a bunch of breweries think so, too. As 1% for the planet members, these breweries care about good ingredients and good business.
What does it mean to be a 1% for the Planet Brewery?
As fellow members of 1% for the Planet, these breweries have pledged to support environmental justice with profits and products. They also taste delicious. 1% for the Planet members measure success in business by how much they're able to give to nonprofits each year. (PS, we’re 1% FTP Members too). Here's a round up of some of our favorite international 1% FTP breweries.
(PSA: If we don't name a brewery in your neck of the woods, check the 1% directory then let us know. We love new breweries.)
Bent Paddle Brewing Co
From Duluth, MN and made with water from Lake Superior and local ingredients. Their aluminum cans are made from more than 50% recycled content (and cans are lighter to ship and get about 30% more volume per truckload than glass bottles, so less of a carbon footprint!) and they've supported over 500 community organizations through their "Paddle It Forward" initiatives since opening in 2013.
Maine Beer Company
From Freeport, ME -- home to our Freeport Toad&Co store and our East Coast Toads (Freeport, not the brewery... kind of). This is a local's favorite and they are all about supporting the locals. They give back to The Billion Oyster Project + 24 other nonprofits! Also, we love their tagline: "Do what's right."
Topa Topa Brewing Co.
From Ventura, CA, just a hop and a skip from Toad HQ in Santa Barbara. Aside from making great beer in small batches and supporting Heal the Ocean + 22 other nonprofits, the folks at Topa (as we call it) are just downright good company. Over the years we've partnered up on community fundraisers and 1% FTP events and they are always game -- ready and willing with smiles, high fives, and of course, cold kegs of beer. We've even collabed on a beer and it was pretty tasty, if we do say so ourselves. They're one of our coolest (and favorite) neighbors. Don't believe us? Check out our interview with co-founder Jack Dyer.
Tempest Brewing Co.
From South Scotland, UK, and this is some bloody good beer! In 2010 the head brewers were crafting home brews in a garage in New Zealand that was SO good, they moved back to Scotland and got serious. Fast forward to 2018 and they land on RateBeers 100 best breweries in the world, and in 2019 they became the first brewery in the UK to join 1% for the planet. This means getting involved in various projects to offset their carbon footprint and connecting with local environmental causes. Slàinte mhath!
Moustache Brewing Co.
From Riverhead, NY, this micro-brewery based out of the east end of Long Island, NY is made up of a husband and wife team that started in 2012 as a one barrel operation. They've (obviously) since grown, and now support local nonprofits like the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program. ( PS - Google "Shinnecock Bay" -- it's real pretty).
New Belgium Brewing Co.
From Fort Collins, CO, New Belgium is the grand daddy (or mammy!) of 1% FTP breweries. In 2008 it was the first brewery to join 1% for the planet and they've since donates hundreds of thousands of dollars from the sales of their "Fat Tire" beer to organizations like Leave No Trace and 311 others! Good beer, good intentions, and great role models.
4 Pines Brewing Company
From Manly, Australia and they aren't just a 1% FTP company, they're also a Certified B-Corp, which means they meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. Among things like sourcing sustainable and domestic ingredients from ethical farmers, 4 Pines also does an annual garbage audit (!!!) to see how much they're recycling vs. tossing (good news, they recycle more), a water audit, and an energy audit -- all with the intention of improving a little bit more every year. Also, they make great beer that supports Surfrider Foundation Australia and others.
Hopworks Urban Brewing
From Portland, OR (another town the Toad calls home!), HUB is all about good collaborations like working with farmers for organic ingredients and seeking third-party certifications to make sure every step of the supply chain is done in a sustainable way. Which, BTW, they've totally nailed. In 2015 they were the first brewery in the Pacific Northwest to become a certified B-Corp member, and in 2016 they joined 1% for the Planet. Hopworks focuses their giving on water, forest, and bike related causes through special collaborations and partnerships with non-profits like Oregon Wild and 19 other nonprofits.
MadTree Brewing
From Cincinnati, OH, MadTree might have our favorite tagline EVER: Inspiring Madness, Rooted in Purpose. And that purpose is, unsurprisingly, saving the trees. So far they have donated 15,000 saplings to regenerate the forests donate 50k pounds of spent grain to feed local livestock each week, and engage patrons of the taproom with the greatest drinking game of all time: customers can toss a buck to go to non-profits like the Arbor Day Foundation.
Have a great International Beer Day (and a great international beer year), and don't forget to drink responsibly!