The 34th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment, hosted by PEC, was held Oct. 17 at the Woodlands Inn and Resort. This post is part of a series celebrating the six local initiatives and two individuals recognized for their contributions to environmental protection and restoration in the region.
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Brewing beer is a science, and brewers are constantly looking for ways to make a better product. Some of recent science’s most significant advances, from pasteurization to the pH scale, were made in service of the beer industry.
Fred Maier, Co-Founder and Vice President of Susquehanna Brewing Co., comes from a long line of brewers. His great, great grandfather emigrated from Germany in 1849 and joined what was, thanks to an influx of German immigrants, a thriving beer industry.
“Lager brewing was like Silicon Valley back then,” Maier said.
In honor of that legacy, Susquehanna Brewing Co., based in Pittston, has put itself at the forefront of sustainable brewing practices. As Maier explained, making beer is an energy- and water-intensive process. To cut back on its consumption, Susquehanna Brewing has invested in technology that uses 25% less natural gas in the brewing process and saves thousands of gallons of water each week.
Maier’s mindset around natural resources, namely that they should be well cared for, reflects the values of his company.
“We have great water, so let’s take care of it,” he said.
One of the biggest challenges to the beer industry, Maier added, is climate change.
“It has a massive effect on our business,” he said.
The Susquehanna Valley was once a primary hop growing region (most brewing hops now come from the Pacific northwest), but Maier’s company wants to revitalize the growing of local hops to make the supply chain more sustainable and consistent. Toward that end, Susquehanna Brewing is working with farmers and researchers at Penn State to develop mold-resistant varieties.
To recognize that dedication to sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices, PEC awarded the Susquehanna Brewing Co. a 2024 Environmental Partnership Award. They were honored at the 34th Annual Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment on Oct. 17 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, Plains, PA. To learn more about the awards and to see the full list of this year’s winners, click here.