Certified for Sustainability: 11 Investments For Craft Malt, Beer, and Spirits Producers To Consider
Meet our pick of ten certification programs that not only demonstrate your brewery, distillery, or malthouse’s commitment to the environment; they also display that promise to your customers. Take a look at how your business can be more sustainable from agriculture practices to greener energy resourcing.
Words by Stevi Cameron, edited by Melissa Larrick; Photo by Rachel Cross
These eleven certification programs don’t just demonstrate your brewery, distillery, or malthouse commitment to the environment; they also display that promise to your customers.
We know labels aren’t everything, but in these cases we’ve seen real world examples of how they make a difference. We commend our many partners who support these programs with their participation, and we encourage those of you who are curious to read on.
Sustainability translates in many different ways for companies of all sizes and identities. We think that’s a good thing. Whether their initiatives are rooted in agriculture or emissions reduction, recycling and repurposing, or even employee retention and continued education; they’re all in place for the greater good.
Without further ado, meet our choice sustainability certifications and some of the companies who endorse them.
A Greener World
A Greener World (AGW) is a nonprofit organization providing several certification opportunities for businesses implementing and supporting sustainable practices in their production. Focused mostly on agricultural production, A Greener World’s growing family of trusted certifications includes Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Salmon Welfare Certified by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW, Certified Regenerative by AGW, Certified Non-GMO by AGW and Certified Organic by AGW (coming soon).
For farmers and brewers alike, this suite of certification is something to get excited about. The process of getting certified by AGW streamlines auditing and certification of a wide range of practices, helping farms to make multiple meaningful claims through a single audit. With one visit farmers can demonstrate non-GMO, water-friendly, environmentally sustainable practices—and more. By obtaining an AGW Certification, businesses are identifying themselves as a sustainable option, making it easier for consumers to know they are shopping greener.
Salmon-Safe
Salmon-Safe helps grain growers, farmers, and maltsters, like Mainstem Malt, to manage their impact on water quality and the biodiversity of the Pacific Northwest region. Not only does Salmon-Safe limit impact on the natural environment, but it also encourages the restoration and enhancement of habitats, making Salmon-Safe a great certification option for businesses and consumers with sustainability in mind.
Craft Malt Certified Seal™
This program designed by the Craft Maltsters Guild aims to produce quality ingredients in a sustainable way, proving to be a great option for brewers and distillers who use at least 10 percent of craft malt in their grain purchasing program or specific recipes. The Craft Maltsters Guild will connect your brewery or distillery to a broader range of customers and resources by advocating for small-scale production, resourcing materials within a 5oo mile radius, and supporting independently owned businesses. The Craft Malt Seal assists customers in making decisions that align with their values.
Cicerone™
How can having certified Cicerones in your brewery help the environment? Glad you asked. Breweries that have in-house Cicerone-certified staff members support the continued education of their teams and subsequently, their customers. Better educated servers and sippers equals more opportunity to discuss ingredients, sourcing, and processes that support our planet. The Cicerone certification empowers your business and your community by fostering trust.
B-Corp™
Getting certified with B-Corp and choosing to work with certified businesses, you can support a long-term commitment to ethical business practices. This certification that Mortal and Mainstem Malt maintain focus on businesses and their impacts on employees, community, and the environment. B-Corp promises sustainable business choices by measuring employee benefits for the longevity of employee duration, and also how a business gives back to the community and environment with donations and other means of support. B-Corp assists in holding your business to the highest of standards.
1 % for the Planet®
Membership to 1% for the Planet means committing 1 percent of your business’ profits to support climate change solutions. 1% for the Planet’s business membership connects your brewery, distillery, or malthouse (or prebiotic and kombucha company like Mortal!) with nonprofits worldwide that align with your values and frequently generate positive environmental solutions. With 1% for the Planet’s partnership advising process, your business will be accordingly paired with an approved environmental non-profit— so you can donate to a cause that fits your passions while also promoting your brand globally.
Living Wage
Obtaining a living wage certification represents your company’s dedication to a healthy and holistic work environment, not to mention the retention of employees. The Living Wage Network connects your company with several accessible Living Wage certifications based on size and type of business— Riverbend Malt House, for example, is certified by Just Economics in Western North Carolina. Verifying that your company sustains a living wage promotes your business as an empowering workplace.
Regenified™
Regenified is a practice and outcomes-based land verification and product certification program driving the growth of regenerative agriculture and the adoption of certified products. This certification gives Riverbend, the first craft malt house in the South and now as of March 2024 the first Certified Regenified malt house on the planet, the unique ability to manage, store, and process Certified Regenified grains while maintaining full traceability.
Oregon Tilth®
Oregon Tilth promotes sustainable farming with its Organic Certifications. In the certification process, Oregon Tilth identifies the need and singularities of your company to help obtain an array of National Organic Program certifications. Because the transition from a non-organic farm to an organic farm can take time, Oregon Tilth also certifies for Transitional Organic. The certification ensures both sustainability in agriculture while also setting your business up for long-term success.
Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program
Puget Sound Energy Green Power Program aids independent companies in using energy that comes from renewable resources. PSE can help lower pollution levels emitted by businesses or individuals in the PSE Green Power Programs. These programs, including Carbon Balance, Community Solar, Solar Choice, and Renewable Natural Gas, replace nonrenewable energy and install and maintain renewable energy, helping participants cut their emissions up to 50 percent. Monthly member fees range from $4 to $20 per month— which goes to supporting other local power generating projects that can make a sustainable impact.
Brewers Association Independent Seal®
An important part of having a sustainable business is maintaining independence. Independent businesses often support local sourcing through more access to local farms, customers, and the community. The Brewers Association Independent Seal strives to help companies commit to their communities long-term with a stamp of their promise to display on public facing spaces and beer labels. And, seal or not, the BA offers a Sustainability Benchmarking Tool for its membership— just sayin’.
Want to learn more about the companies certified with all of the programs above? We’re here to connect you. Give us a shout at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
BEER! A Love Story Teams Up With RadCraft To Protect Rivers This Earth Day
You’re invited to meet the cast and filmmaker of BEER! A Love Story with us on Earth Day!
Now until April 25, RadCraft is donating $1 from every movie rental to Protect Our Rivers, a nonprofit organization committed to river conservation efforts across the West. Click here for more information.
To celebrate this partnership, you’re invited to meet the cast and filmmaker of BEER! A Love Story with us on Earth Day!
What: This is a live, virtual opportunity to virtually meet the director, Friedrich Moser and some of BEERmovie’s cast– and check out clips from the film.
Where: Register for this Zoom chat here
When: Thursday April 22 at Noon PT/ 3pm ET
Why: RadCraft’s work and our passion is rooted in the elements, one reason we were drawn to filmmaker Friedrich Moser. His close connection with nature shines in BEER! A Love Story, which captures the raw beauty of barley fields in rural Italy, Austrian and Northwest hop farms, and beyond. He ventures across landscapes, cultures, countries, and languages through subtitles in this both realistic and romantic movie.
Join us for this event to support not only Mother Earth, but also independent film and craft beer! Please consider sharing this Virtual Earth Day event with your audience through IG stories / posts. Press assets can be found here.
From April 23-25, show us the independent beer you’re sipping while you watch BEER! A Love Story to be entered into a raffle to win sweet river and beer-themed prizes. Tag @radcraftbeer, @fueledbyhops_, and @beermovie2020– and don’t forget to hashtag #BEERmovie!
Please direct media inquiries about this event to Melissa Larrick at melissa@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT RadCraft
Founded in 2012 by Emily Hutto, RadCraft provides communications support to barley crafters. From breweries and distilleries to maltsters and their affiliates, RadCraft’s partners are makers of thoughtful products and cultivators of radical ideas. Beers and spirits should tell stories about brands, and RadCraft loves a good story. Lean more at radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT Protect Our Rivers
At Protect Our Rivers™, we believe in the essential role healthy rivers play in all our lives— not only for our natural ecosystem but for our humanity as well. We are a passionate collective of people and supporting organizations that believe in the critical need for river health. We work to have a positive impact on lasting river conservation, through hands-on action, education and access. Learn more at protectourrivers.org.
Documentary Film BEER! A Love Story To Support Water Conservation As Beer’s Most Important Ingredient
Now through April 25, RadCraft will donate $1 from each rental the documentary BEER! A Love Story to Protect Our Rivers.
DURANGO, CO— This April, RadCraft is proud to support healthy rivers in partnership with BEER! A Love Story. Now through April 25, RadCraft will donate $1 from each rental of this sensational documentary about craft beer to Protect Our Rivers.
Like rivers, breweries tend to be a source of culture and community. They also consume a great deal of water for which RadCraft makes a point to acknowledge in its philanthropic efforts. RadCraft’s work and our passion is rooted in the elements, one reason we were drawn to filmmaker Friedrich Moser. His close connection with nature shines in BEER! A Love Story, which captures the raw beauty of barley fields in rural Italy, Austrian and Northwest hop farms, and beyond. He ventures across landscapes, cultures, countries, and languages through subtitles in this both realistic and romantic movie.
BEER! A Love Story debuted earlier this year. This independently funded, 4K full-length feature documentary weaves together the stories of more than 30 international characters who speak the universal language of beer. Rent it here and learn more at beermovie.org.
Meet protagonists and filmmaker Moser on Earth Day, Thursday April 22 for a live virtual panel and movie preview. Participants at this free event can interact with the cast and view scenes in the film. More information to follow.
BEER! A Love Story Press Contact: Emily Hutto, coop@radcraftbeer.com
Protect Our Rivers Press Contact: Sarah Nelson at sarah@protectourrivers.org
ABOUT RadCraft
Founded in 2012 by Emily Hutto, RadCraft provides communications support to barley crafters. From breweries and distilleries to maltsters and their affiliates, RadCraft’s partners are makers of thoughtful products and cultivators of radical ideas. Beers and spirits should tell stories about brands, and RadCraft loves a good story. Lean more at radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT Protect Our Rivers
At Protect Our Rivers™, we believe in the essential role healthy rivers play in all our lives— not only for our natural ecosystem but for our humanity as well. We are a passionate collective of people and supporting organizations that believe in the critical need for river health. We work to have a positive impact on lasting river conservation, through hands-on action, education and access. Learn more at protectourrivers.org.