Stroud Brewery is celebrating winning the Sustainability Award 2024 at the Circle2Success South West Business Awards.
Stroud Brewery founder and managing director, Greg Pilley, with the award
The award celebrates organisations that are driving positive change for people, communities, and the planet.
“It was tough competition, so we’re thrilled to be chosen,” said Greg Pilley, managing director and founder of Stroud Brewery.
“It’s so exciting to see how many other companies — both within brewing and in general — are now eagerly embracing sustainability as they understand how it’s a win-win all round. Not only do the environment and communities benefit, but businesses do, too.
“We’d like to send congratulations to ABP UK for being highly commended in the sustainability award, and to the fantastic finalists: Commercial, Gloucestershire College, Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking, G-TEKT Europe Manufacturing Ltd, and Timberpride Ltd. Their dedication to sustainability is inspiring.”
A pioneer since the 2000s, when marrying environmental responsibility with making great-tasting beer was virtually unheard of in the beer world, Stroud Brewery was the first brewery in the UK to be certified as both organic and a B Corporation.
As well as making beer with 100% organic ingredients, the brewery has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions almost as much as it possibly can and uses 100% renewable energy. In order to support the local economy, 60% of its suppliers are within a 50-mile radius.
The spent malt from brewing is given to local farmers to feed livestock, and all the water captured from the roof by a rainwater harvesting system is used to flush the taproom’s toilets.
More information about the brewery’s sustainability work is detailed in its latest Sustainability Impact Report. The brewery is offering some of its experience and learning to any pub that’s interested in becoming greener but doesn’t know how. Its Sustainability in Pubs – getting started guide is available here.
Wiper and True has installed four new 12,000-litre tanks to cope with demand. “These new additions to our family of stainless steel mean that we can now brew even more of our core range beers than before, whilst also providing extra opportunities for some delicious, exciting seasonal releases which we’ll release on rotation throughout the year,” says the brewer.
Thornbridge has collaborated with Sacremento brewery Urban Roots on Under The Trees, a 7.4% ABV West Coast IPA. It pours a clear, light gold with aromas of floral pine and grapefruit. The citrus flavours continue on the palate with a noticeable crisp and clean bitterness. Also new from Thornbridge is Everybody Good Time, a 4.5% ABV IPA collaboration with Bundobust.
There’s a new brew of Padstow Brewing Co’s smoked oatmeal stout, The Smoke. “It’s a glass of velvety deliciousness that comes from plenty of chocolate and roast malts, with oats for a pleasing mouthfeel and beech-smoked malt for that slightly smokey aftertaste,” says the brewer.