Brewing for the Future: Balancing Tradition and Sustainability
Mary T. Serviss, Dries Van Hout, Scott J. Britton, Andrew J. MacIntosh
Abstract
The brewing industry has long been at the forefront of sustainability, and as this global trend continues to expand, new opportunities emerge. While implementing sustainable practices offers numerous potential benefits, not all programs have yielded expected outcomes. This note aims to first define the industry’s impact, explore the diverse reasons behind sustainability efforts, and subsequently examine the various strategies employed to achieve sustainability goals and capitalize on available opportunities. Due to geographic and policy disparities worldwide, the opportunities for breweries often vary, with limited overlap across regions. Nevertheless, breweries worldwide have successfully reduced their environmental impact, and with ongoing technological advancements and the implementation of incentives, even greater opportunities exist. The brewing industry is well-positioned to leverage both tax and social incentives, enhancing consumer perception while driving meaningful progress toward a more sustainable future.