Edinburgh-based Stewart Brewing has moved closer to Net Zero with a £330,000 investment in solar energy and carbon capture technology.
A £150,000 carbon capture initiative will harvest, collect and bottle CO2 produced at the brewer’s Loanhead site. This will prevent 250 tonnes of the greenhouse gas entering the atmosphere over a three-year period. The move also means the brewery will become self-sufficient in CO2 – used to make the bubbles in beer – and won’t need to have it produced elsewhere and transported to Edinburgh.
On top of this, a 210kW solar array – costing £180,000 – will meet around 65% to 70% of the company’s annual electricity requirement and will also power the carbon capture kit.
Scottish Enterprise and Business Energy Scotland assisted in funding both projects.
Co-founder and Managing Director Steve Stewart said: ‘‘One of our founding principles was to brew great beer in a sustainable and efficient manner and this remains at the heart of our business today, and these two projects will contribute significantly to that.”
Sticking with sustainability, Stewart Brewing also offers a refillable ‘growler’ service at its Loanhead taproom. Open seven days a week, customers can purchase one- or two-litre fills of its award-winning craft beer, from a selection of classic favourites and limited-edition special beers.
Steve concluded: “Growler Fills are the most sustainable way to drink beer. With 18 unique taps available, we’d love to see you at our brewery taproom soon for a fill of the finest, fresh craft beer.”
