Brewing for Impact Revolutionizing Sustainable Brewing Practices

Brewing for Impact with Sustainable Brewing

For more than 30 years, Garrett Oliver has been an innovator in the brewing industry, known for both his exceptional brewing skills and his commitment to social change. This year, he celebrates three decades with Brooklyn Brewery by launching the “Brewing for Impact” campaign. This initiative emphasizes sustainable brewing and social awareness by spotlighting fonio, an ancient West African grain. Oliver’s belief is that beer can unite people, cultures, and traditions, and the adaptability of fonio plays a crucial role in this vision.

Highlighting Fonio in Sustainable Brewing

Oliver has reached out to a variety of breweries worldwide to participate in this campaign. These include Maison Kalao from Senegal, Thornbridge from the United Kingdom, Omnipollo from Sweden, Carlsberg from Denmark, Russian River from the United States, Jing-A from China, and Guinness, along with Brooklyn Brewery. Each brewery will create a unique beer using fonio, a grain that has thrived in West Africa for more than 5,000 years.

Pioneering Fonio Brewing

Garrett Oliver began experimenting with fonio in 2019, inspired by Senegalese Chef Pierre Thiam of Yolele, a food company central to bringing fonio to the Western world. Fonio is not just a delicious millet grain but also offers a sustainable brewing option that supports rural African communities. This campaign aims to showcase the potential of fonio to revolutionize the craft beer movement by making it more sustainable.

The Impact of Sustainable Brewing on Africa

The significant contributions of Africa to the beer world often go unnoticed. Oliver wants to change that. He sees “Brewing for Impact” as perhaps his most important work. The wider adoption of fonio could eliminate the need for irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides while supporting soil regeneration and providing income for smallholder farms in West Africa. Many of these farms are predominantly female-led, creating both economic and social benefits.

Global Campaign Rollout

Announced at the Craft Brewers Conference, the “Brewing for Impact” campaign will roll out a series of limited edition beers throughout the year. These will emphasize fonio’s potential to encourage positive change in the industry. A portion of the proceeds from these limited-release beers will be donated to The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling, which provides scholarships for BIPOC within the brewing and distilling trades.

Collaborations and Releases

• Maison Kalao (Senegal): April – “Brooklyn A Dakar” Pilsner, inspired by Oliver’s innovative use of fonio.
• Thornbridge (UK): May – The world’s first Pale Ale – Cask Beer made with fonio, blending tradition and innovation.
• Omnipollo (Sweden): June – “Blacker Chocolate Stout,” a sustainable reimagining of Oliver’s first brewed beer at Brooklyn Brewery.
• Carlsberg Laboratory (Denmark): July – A 100% fonio beer showcasing sustainable brewing practices.
• Russian River (US): August – Fonio Belgian blonde ale, rooted in a shared commitment to excellence and sustainability.
• Brooklyn Brewery (US): September – A new pale ale brewed with fonio, embodying the campaign’s ethos.
• Jing-A (China): October – A West Coast IPA made with fonio, bridging brewing cultures.
• Guinness (US): November – “Fonio Stout,” reflecting Oliver’s respect for the iconic brand and his ties to Ireland.

Table of Key Breweries and Their Contributions

The “Brewing for Impact” campaign is poised to make a significant mark on sustainable brewing. By focusing on fonio, it aims to create fantastic beers that are not only delicious but also beneficial for the environment and communities. Garrett Oliver’s vision for sustainable brewing through fonio is a shining example of how the craft beer movement can evolve to be more inclusive and environmentally friendly.