PR / Melrose, MA (September, 2026) – Melrose brewery Hannah’s Brewing has been recognized as a “green beverage producer” by the BetterBev program. The distinction was awarded by the the Energy Transition Institute at UMass Amherst, which serves as one of the administrators of the BetterBev recognition program through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pollution Prevention Program. Hannah’s joins a growing number of beverage producers in Massachusetts and beyond that have earned recognition for their environmentally conscious business practices. While brewing is resource-intensive by nature, there are many opportunities for most businesses to reduce their environmental impact and improve their bottom line.
Hannah’s achieved an exemplary rating in its packaging operations, selling some 80% of its beer on-premise and from serving tanks. This not only conserves resources but also decreases beer loss from kegging and vehicle emissions from deliveries. Not surprisingly, the brew house also has a very low purchased CO2-to-beer ratio, according to 2021 data from the Brewers Association. Such business decisions are a big deal when you consider that life cycle analysis of packaging format and distribution is responsible for the most significant environmental impact of beer production.
Other operational practices that helped Hannah’s earn recognition include an electric-powered brew house, engineering that prevents the wasteful practice of once-through process water, and a consumer take-back program for hard-to-recycle plastic can carriers that gives them a second life through reuse. Not only do such decisions decrease resource use and cut down on waste but they also result in cost savings that make fiscal sense.
The BetterBev program was launched to help beverage producers understand their environmental impact, increase efficiency, improve health and safety, conserve natural resources, and improve their businesses. Recognition is earned after a beverage producer’s local BetterBev administrator works with them to assess their environmental practices and impact. The process covers a range of criteria including water and energy use, waste, and even environmental culture. Learn more at betterbev.org.
Hannah’s Brewing
Melrose’s first brewery and taproom was dreamed up during the COVID Pandemic by two Melrose alums who decided to get back to their roots and set up shop in their hometown. With that in mind, they named their establishment after two influential and supportive family members conveniently both named Hannah. The doors opened in March of 2024, with the goal to offer an array of quality beers to the community and make craft brewing accessible to the founders’ tight knit community.