Hepworth Brewery has partnered with Bristol-based waste to energy tech company, WASE, to convert all of the brewery’s wastewater to clean water and biogas.
To celebrate the success of the partnership, Hepworth Brewery and WASE have collaborated on a new beer series, focussed on demonstrating the huge potential of circular brewing.
Hepworth Brewery has implemented a huge number of measures – including installing the world’s first beer-source heat pump and solar – to reduce energy and water consumption and its carbon and environmental impact.
The brewery has partnered with WASE to use innovative electro-methanogenesis technology, which turns brewery effluent into renewable energy that can power beer production and offset fossil fuel usage. As a result of all the sustainability initiatives, Hepworth brewery is on track to achieve 85% carbon neutrality by the end of 2025.
The circular brewing solution not only increases business resilience by eliminating wastewater haulage costs and reduces energy costs, but also supports the environment by returning water to local ecosystems, generating renewable energy, producing organic fertiliser, and reducing carbon emissions. The partnership began as a 6-month pilot project with Hepworth Brewery trialling a minwase plant on site.
With the successful completion of this pilot, WASE is now installing a full scale WASE solution at the site as a UK brewery first-of-its- kind which will result in the treatment of 17m3 of wastewater every day, 362MWhs of renewable energy generated every year, and over 100 tonnes of CO2 saved annually.
“At a time when climate solutions need to be bold, practical, and inspiring, Hepworth Brewery has partnered with us to demonstrate that even a single pint of beer can represent a powerful step toward a more sustainable, circular future,” said co-founder and CEO, Dr. Thomas Fudge.
“The story doesn’t stop at energy,” added Andy Hepworth, managing director of Hepworth & Company Brewers Limited.
“The treated water, instead of being hauled offsite for treatment – driving the equivalent distance of Scotland to South Africa and back in a year – is now safely returned to the local environment. “
“As a local business, we’re very aware that Sussex is an area facing growing water stress and drought conditions, “ continues Andy. “By creating a circular loop returning water back to the local environment we can increase the resilience of local ecosystems, such as an endangered, rare freshwater snail.”
And there are additional benefits. WASE’s technology recovers valuable nutrients from the wastewater and converts them into digestate, a rich organic fertiliser that can be used by local farmers, improving soil health and closing the loop between food and waste in a way that supports regenerative agriculture.
“Our project with WASE transforms a traditionally linear process into a fully circular model,” continues Andy. “The project benefits the brewer, the environment, local wildlife, and the agricultural community.”
To celebrate their partnership, Hepworth Brewery and WASE have launched a new beer series – a trio of beers crafted by Hepworth and powered by wastewater. The ‘Nexus’ series includes three beers; Liquid Asset (a crisp, refreshing larger), Electric Hop (a vibrant, flavour-packed IPA), and Botanic State (a 0.5% full-bodied, nature-inspired pale ale).
Each beer has been created to represent a pillar of the water-energy-food nexus. The brewing method utilises local award winning hops from Bodium and organic barley from Goodwood, both in Sussex.
“I believe the industry is at a significant turning point, where consumers are becoming increasingly aware of, and influenced by, the sourcing of products. Our drivers are two-fold – producing beer in a way that does not negatively impact our planet, and providing our customers with the best tasting, circular products they want,” concludes Hepworth.
“Our collaboration with Hepworth Brewery, and the shift in the brewing industry more generally, shows that even an industry as old as brewing – humans have been brewing for over 7,000 years – can adapt to the risks of climate change and operate more sustainably. And they’re doing this without waiting for policy or government intervention,” says Fudge.
“This is about more than just beer. With every pint of the Nexus Series, you’re not just tasting flavour; you’re tasting the future of sustainable brewing. And I’ll cheers to that.”
The new range of beers is being launched to coincide with London Circular Economy Week 20-25th October to show how circular economies exist today and can be achieved and delivered in 2025.
