Environmental Studies Program
Date of this Version
Spring 5-2012
Abstract
Continued growth in the craft brewing industry, coupled with natural resource limitations suggests the need for implementation of sustainable initiatives on a wide scale. These initiatives discussed include the areas of economic sustainability through cooperative growth and equilibrium, social sustainability through employee and community development, and environmental sustainability through energy and water conservation and renewable energy use. Specific techniques to achieve sustainability in the craft brewing industry are reviewed alongside case studies of craft breweries currently implementing these techniques. A sustainable metric is outlined for use in accomplishing these goals.