Towards a more sustainable beer

Beer is part of the social and gastronomic life of Spain, but its industrial production consumes a lot of energy, water and generates waste. This study looks at how to move towards more sustainable production in the beer sector.

💡 What was studied:

• The entire life cycle: from the cultivation of malt and barley, through the production of containers, to the output of the packaged beer.
• Packaging comparison: single-use glass bottle, returnable bottle, aluminum can and steel barrel.
• Innovative measures: integration of heat pumps, biogas production from sludge, electrification of processes and use of less polluting fertilizers.

🔍 Key results:

• Reusable packaging (returnable bottles and kegs) is much more sustainable than single-use packaging.
• The packaging and cultivation of barley are primarily responsible for the environmental footprint before the beer leaves the brewery.
• Reducing emissions in packaging, improving agricultural practices and promoting recycling are fundamental steps to reduce environmental impact.

✅ Why it matters:

These strategies not only help meet climate goals, but also allow the beer sector to move towards a circular, more efficient and responsible economy for the planet.

📥 Do you want to know all the details and see the graphs of the study?

You can download the full publication at the attached link.