Solar brewed beer

By Ryan Burgess

See it on Capital News 9.

Forget about the color, one restaurant in Great Barrington is ahead of the game.

They've gone eco-friendly.

"The first thing that we looked at as far as building green was the solar hot water system," said Barrington Brewery Co-Owner Andrew Mankin.

It's the reason they're now making Solar Brewed Beer. A $55,000 solar panel was installed on the roof to save energy. They've had this idea brewing for a while, but they're not alone.

"As businesses read more and more about how everything we do can impact climate change and global warming, everyone wants to do their part," said Center for Ecological Technology Director Laura Dubester.

It's a trend that's growing across the County and the impact can also be seen in the wallet.

"What's good for the bottom line can also be good for the environment because the Brewery has made its investment, for example, in solar hot water without grants or incentives," said Dubester.

And they've done more than just brew solar beer. The carpeting is made from recycled plastic. The bar came from reclaimed chestnut. It's a big investment, but worth the risk.

"In the long run it's certainly going to pay off. Initially it's a big investment, but in the long run it pays off for everyone. The business, the environment," said Barrington Brewery Manager Susan Jurgenson.

The brewery also churns out 28,000 gallons of beer a year. So the decision to go green doesn't just produce great tasting beer. It also saves a ton of money.

"Because we're a Brewery and also a restaurant, we use a tremendous amount of hot water," said Mankin.

About 1,000 gallons a day to be exact. It's why the experts say that answering a simple question can pay huge dividends.

"How we can design and build in an environmentally sensitive way something that also meets our economic needs," said Dubester.

The answer at this Brewery is something you can raise your glass to.