The growing popularity of speciality craft and home brews has breathed new life into the beer industry, creating a fierce yet friendly competition in the battle of the best brews. Craft and home brewing is changing the way we think of and enjoy beer, applying new-school technology to a process that dates back nearly 4,000 years. Today’s consumers want beer that tastes good, but they also want to enjoy a beer they feel good about drinking. Enter sustainable brewing.

Powered by clean, renewable energy sources such as solar, sustainable breweries are laying the foundation for the future of American brewing. Not only are these breweries meeting the needs of their customers, but they’re doing it in a way that’s ethical and environmentally responsible.

Solar makes perfect sense for brewing sustainability, and both large and small operations can benefit from making the switch to solar. Here’s how:

Reduce operational costs Although still considered an artisanal process, beer brewing has become increasingly mechanized and no longer requires the amount of manual labor it once did. From milling the grain to boiling the wort, the mechanization of beer brewing requires a great deal of energy. Utility costs are a major expense for breweries of all sizes and can put a strain on financial resources. Solar power has the potential to greatly reduce if not completely eliminate a brewery’s electric utility bill, leading to major cost and energy savings.

Reduce environmental impact One of the greatest motivators behind the sustainable brewing movement is environmental responsibility, which means working with the environment to create a quality product as opposed to working against it. Sustainable breweries powered by the sun can dramatically reduce their environmental impact, including their fossil fuel usage and CO2 emissions. Solar power is a reliable energy source that can both power and complement the brewing process in a number of ways. From heating water for mashing to simply keeping the brewery’s lights on, solar power has made the process of brewing beer more sustainable than ever before.

Inspire a culture of conservation: Beer lovers are more conscious and informed than ever before, and they expect more from the breweries that create their favorite beverages than just a tasty product. Breweries that implement sustainable business and brewing practices are eco-innovators in their community and their industry. Sustainable brewing promotes environmental stewardship and inspires beer lovers to do their part in protecting the environment. After all, nothing tastes better than a beer you feel good about brewing and drinking.

Sustainable brewing is more than just an ethical business practice; it’s a commitment to creating a better product and a cleaner world. And that’s something everyone can cheers to, so bottoms up!