Stone Brewing Berlin To Add Cans In Germany

We actually broke this news back in Nov, but here we have some follow-up info from Rosengard-Mag in an interview with Greg Koch:

We looked at more than 130 possible sites in 9 countries before deciding on the beautiful property and historic buildings we found in the Mariendorf neighborhood of Berlin at the old GASAG facility. We soon fell in love with the city itself as well. So, while some may argue that carrying a bottle of artisanal beer is the ultimate chic fashion statement, that’s not what influenced our selection of this location. And actually we’ll be putting our beer in cans, not bottles! We apologize in advance that our ‘fashion accessory’ won’t add to the glittery shards so fashionable adorning Berlin’s sidewalks and parks!

In some ways, it’s not our job to convince, it’s simply our job to maximize the quality and environmental responsibility of our beer and let folks decide for themselves. However, I can tell you that many experts today feel that cans are better packaging for beer. Period. At Stone we are committed to sustainability and always keep in mind our carbon footprint when delivering the freshest beer possible to fans. StoneBerlin will be our hub for distributing throughout Europe and cans, which can be recycled anywhere, only require one-way transport. Returnable bottles are highly embraced in Germany and we recognize that for some companies with relatively small distribution radiuses, returnable bottles may be a good choice. For a company like Stone distributing all across Europe and beyond, studies have shown that the additional trucking, storage, energy consumption for machinery and hot water, and the high use of cleaning chemicals is inefficient and an environmental negative. By using cans for our Berlin-brewed beers, we’ll be able to transport our beer using less fuel and in the most recycled package.
This can above WAS approved in the U.S. however so far it looks like it will be a Germany-only release.

This update from Stone:

BERLIN (February 16, 2016) – Stone Brewing Berlin is announcing its 2016 Beer Release Schedule, which includes the fact that the brewery will be packaging its Berlin-brewed beers exclusively in kegs and…aluminum cans. The brewery, known for its bold and creative beers, will take a similarly innovative approach to packaging, putting the quality of its beers and environmental responsibility at the forefront of its European brewing operations. 

“Experts today feel that cans are better for beer. Period,” says Greg Koch, Stone Brewing CEO & co-founder. “At the heart of our business is a dedication to fresh, high-quality beer and cans are the ideal packaging for preserving the unique, bold flavors we work so hard to achieve. Additionally, research shows clearly that cans offer incredible benefits in terms of sustainability and we are confident they will be the smartest decision in reducing our carbon and environmental footprint.”

• Cans maintain the quality of the beer – Cans optimize the protection of flavor. They have an absolute barrier to oxygen and are the only individual packaging with an absolute barrier to light,²  preventing “stale” and  “skunky” off-flavors.
• Modern aluminum cans have zero impact on flavor – One misconception about the quality of beer stored in cans is that aluminum migration can take place and result in a metal-tasting beer. Modern industry standards in can production prevents any aluminum reaction with the beer.³
• Cans are lightweight and essentially unbreakable – They’re the easy choice when on the go at camping spots, the beach, hiking trails, parks, sporting events and more.

Stone Brewing is known for being one of the most environmentally committed breweries in the US. The same environmental philosophy will be applied to the company’s new operation in Berlin, Germany. This includes state of the art energy recovery system of our new brew house, which is expected to save 32 percent in thermal energy and 23 percent in water consumption during the brewing process.⁴

“Cans only require one-way transport and can be recycled anywhere,” said Koch. “Returnable bottles are highly embraced in Germany and we recognize that for some companies with relatively small distribution radiuses, returnable bottles may be a good choice. For a company like Stone distributing all across Europe and beyond, studies have shown that the additional trucking, storage, energy consumption for machinery and hot water, and the high use of cleaning chemicals is inefficient and an environmental negative. By using cans for our Berlin-brewed beers, we’ll be able to transport our beer using less fuel and in the most recycled package.”

When it comes to recycling, aluminum beverage cans in Germany have a consumer-driven recycling rate of 96 percent⁵ and current capacity would allow every aluminum can across Europe to be recycled.⁶ Aluminum can be infinitely recycled with no loss of quality⁷ and used aluminum cans can be recycled and back on the shelf as a new can in as few as 60 days—something that happens over and over again.⁸ Furthermore, each recycled beverage can saves up to 10 times of carbon dioxide equivalents. Recycling aluminum has more advantages than recycling any other beverage package.⁹

Stone Brewing will release four year-round beers in 2016, all of which will be brewed on the new Berlin 100-hectoliter brewhouse. The beers packaged in aluminum cans that will be distributed throughout Europe are:

Stone IPA – This is the iconic West Coast-style IPA that launched a generation of hop fanatics.

Additional limited releases and specialties from Stone San Diego will also be available throughout Europe. A full release schedule can be found online athttp://berlin.stonebrewing.com/stoneberlin-2016-beer-release-schedule.

Upon completion of the brewery, visitors will be welcome to experience Stone’s brewing style, environmental approach and organic-focused destination restaurant, Stone World Bistro & Gardens – Berlin.

“I’ve heard it said that Berlin is paved in broken glass and bottle caps. We hope no one minds that we won’t be able to contribute to that particular element of Berlin culture,” Koch said with a laugh. 

REFERENCES

1. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from Brewers Association: https://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics/craft-brewer-defined/
2. Kunze, Wolfgang, Technologie Brauer und Mälzer, ISBN: 978-3-921690-65-9, Auflage: 10. überarbeitete Auflage, Juli 2011, 1100 S., 900 Abb., Hardcover.
3. Schrenk, Dieter, MD, PhD, Literature report on food packaging materials and their potential impact on human health, Professor of Food Chemistry and Toxicology, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Germany, 2014.
4. Retrieved February 11, 2016 from Krones [PDF] page 5: http://www.krones.com/downloads/equitherm_en.pdf
5. Received January 28, 2016 from European Aluminium Association: http://www.european-aluminium.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/EAA-Press-Release-2012Canrecyclingresult_20150316.pdf
6. Metal Packaging Europe (2014). Metal Recycles Forever [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://new-box.com/wp-content/uploads/METAL-recycles-forever-presentation.pdf
7. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from European Aluminium: http://www.european-aluminium.eu/sustainability/life-cycle-assessment/
8. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from Beverage Can Makers Europe: http://www.bcme-deutschland.de/website/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/BCME_Deutschland_-_Ueber_die_Dose.pdf 9. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from Beverage Can Makers Europe: http://www.bcme-deutschland.de/website/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/BCME_Deutschland_-_Ueber_die_Dose.pdf

Stone Brewing is known for brewing beers we like to drink — bold, big-character, unique beers that often defy traditional style guidelines. Meet Stone, and understand why we’ve committed to canning our StoneBerlin beers.