The least discussed ingredient in beer: water
Everything you wanted to know about water usage at breweries in Fort Collins, Colorado…and generally speaking, some insight into how water plays such a major part in making beer.
According to Katie Wallace, New Belgium’s sustainability specialist, the brewery used approximately 86 million gallons of water in 2010. On average, 25 percent, or 21.5 million gallons, of that water is distributed in beer bottles. Another 25 percent evaporates as steam or goes out with spent grain, which is sold as cattle feed.
The remaining 50 percent, or gallons, is treated at New Belgium’s on-site process water treatment plant and discharged to the city. That water eventually makes it back into the natural system.
via Brewers tap into Fort Collins’ supply of superior water | The Coloradoan.
Breweries: New Belgium Brewing Co.
