PR / Beverly, MA (September, 2024) – Gentile Brewing, Coastal Mass Brewing, and Old Planters Brewing have been recognized as “green beverage producers” by the recently launched BetterBev Recognition program. The distinction was awarded by the UMass Boston Green Brewery Project as part of a coalition of New England states receiving support from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Prevention (P2) Grants. About 50 of New England’s more than 600 breweries have earned recognition so far, half of those in Massachusetts.
The first of the four breweries to open in Beverly, Gentile Brewing is notable for its energy conservation and emissions reductions efforts. In addition to highly efficient LED lighting throughout its facility, its cold storage refrigeration is provided by a CoolBot temperature controller in tandem with a standard air conditioner that significantly lowers energy use. Lighting and refrigeration combined typically account for more than half of a brewery’s energy consumption, so the decrease in emissions and savings in utility costs benefit both air quality and Gentile’s bottom line.
Coastal Mass Brewing also excels in energy conservation, having opted for an all-electric brewhouse that results in better efficiency for brewing. It’s energy-to-beer ratio is almost half of the industry average for microbreweries according to Brewers Association (BA) benchmarking data. To lower emissions even more, Coastal Mass purchases its electricity through renewable energy certificates from an in-state community solar farm. The switch from basic grid service to community solar conserves some 33 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E) emissions annually. According to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, that equates to the amount of carbon sequestered by 38.9 acres of U.S. forest in one year.
Old Planters Brewing also has some impressive efficiency credentials, boasting water, electricity, and purchased CO2 usage numbers that rank in the top 25% of the BA’s benchmarks for microbreweries. One of its strategies was to work with the state’s Mass Save efficiency incentive program to upgrade the building envelope and pipe insulation and to install LED lighting in both the brewery and taproom. Old Planters’ efficiency even extends to consumption of its finished product, most of which is sold on-premises and in draught format, resulting in a significantly lower carbon footprint than beer that gets canned and distributed throughout the state.
BetterBev was created to help beverage producers fully understand their environmental practices, principles, and impact, with the goal of reducing production inefficiencies, improving health and safety, and conserving natural resources. Recognition is earned after a beverage producer’s state oversight organization works with them to perform an audit and assessment of their environmental practices and impact. The process covers criteria ranging from water use to energy efficiency and conservation to waste reduction and even environmental culture.
For a list of the oversight organizations responsible for managing the green beverage producer program in each New England state visit the BetterBev website.
About Old Planters Brewing
Old Planters was the name given to the founders of Beverly in 1635 and we chose this name as a direct connection to the city where we were born and raised. The idea of community rings true in our taproom as well, a meeting place to hear local musicians, enjoy local artists, and get a taste of various foods in the Beverly area. It’s also a space where we would like ALL members of our community to feel welcome and accepted. We believe beer should be fun/accepting and our goal is to always have a variety of beers that speak to a wide audience.
About Coastal Mass Brewing
Coastal Mass Brewing, voted one of the ten best new breweries in the country in 2019 by USA Today’s 10 Best, produces a perpetually changing lineup of hand crafted, bright, and explorative microbrews. Its beers are available in distribution on the North Shore of Massachusetts and in the rustic and charming Coastal Mass taproom located in the Porter Mill building in the heart of revitalized downtown Beverly. Learn more about Coastal Mass Brewing by visiting coastalmassbrewing.com
About Gentile Brewing
Gentile Brewing Company is a family-owned and operated nano craft brewery located in Beverly, Massachusetts. As Beverly’s first craft beer taproom we are community-focused, family and dog-friendly, and strive for inclusivity in all that we do. Our beers can simply be enjoyed and not fussed over.