Aslan Brewing is one of eleven breweries Patagonia Provisions has partnered with to promote using Kernza in beer.

Patagonia, Inc. is best known for their outdoor clothing and gear. But according to their mission statement, “We’re in the business to save our home planet.”

“With our apparel, maybe we can get to zero impact on our planet,” says Paul Lightfoot, general manager of Patagonia Provisions. “But food can be grown with regenerative agricultural practices; it can actively make things better.”

Patagonia Provisions was established as a division of Patagonia to promote regenerative agriculture and to promote food and beverages made from regenerative crops. “Eating is activism,” says the Patagonia Provisions website.

Patagonia Provisions, in collaboration with various other organizations, have made efforts towards making the consumption of beer more environmentally friendly. Patagonia Provisions have joined forces with the Land Institute, an organization established in 1976 with the goal of promoting perennial grain crops and polyculture farming practices, as well as eleven of the top breweries in America, all with the aim of promoting beer made from Kernza.

In the words of Tammy Kimbler, the chief communications officer at the Land Institute, modern grain agriculture generally takes place in areas where the natural ecosystem already established the soil. She questions why current agricultural systems function almost like mines, stripping the soil of its nutrients. Since Barley is not a native plant in North America, the Land Institute has been focusing on the domestication of native plants that can restore the local ecosystem.

Kernza is a product based on intermediate wheatgrass – a type of perennial grass that forms sods. Not only does it require less fuel and labor on the farm as a perennial plant, but also its deep root system, stretching up to 12 feet, helps retain soil, water, and nutrients. The roots of plants form a microbiome in the soil, and this microbiome gets obliterated each year due to annual crops like barley and wheat. With Kernza being a perennial plant, its root system and microbiome can remain undisturbed.

Kernza produces more oil but less starch when compared to traditional brewing grains. Since yeast feeds on starch to produce alcohol, Kernza can only form a minor portion of a beer’s grain content – about 15 percent typically. However, the oils in Kernza contribute to the beer’s flavor.

Unhulled Kernza perennial grain developed at The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas.

“It makes really, really good beer,” says Lightfoot. “With our products, it’s not just environmental. It has to also be of high quality.” In that vein, Patagonia Provisions has partnered with eleven of America’s most highly-regarded craft breweries to launch the Kernza beer project. Each of these eleven breweries was selected for their brewing skill and history of environmental stewardship:

Allagash Brewing Company — Allagash was founded in 1995 in Portland, ME and is best know for their Belgian-style Allagash White, the first beer Rob Tod brewed when he founded the company. Allagash is a Certified B Corp and supports social justice, local water quality and local farmers, buying over 1 million pounds of Maine-grown and Maine-malted barley every year.

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. — Arizona Wilderness is known for their unique regional beers, made from local ingredients such as prickly pears, pine needles and mesquite. The base of every brew is Arizona barley from Sinagua Malt, a company that transitions farmers away from more-water-intense crops like corn, saving millions of gallons of water.

Aslan Brewing — Similar to Allagash, Aslan is also a Certified B Corp brewery. Aslan is located in Bellingham, WA and prioritizes local, responsibly-farmed ingredients for their certified-organic beers. The brewing process aligns with the stringent organic standards, and the brewery infrastructure is created from recycled materials.

Bang Brewing — Since 2013, Bang has been an important part of the St. Paul, MN community. The company uses 100% organic materials and operates from a massive, wind-powered steel grain bin, specifically designed to lower water and energy consumption. Bang has brewed a greater number of beers with Kernza more than any other brewery.

The uniquely structured Bang Brewery is located in St. Paul, MN.

Hopworks Brewery — Established in 2007 in Portland, OR, Hopworks was the pioneering Certified B Corp brewery and the foremost Salmon-Safe brewery in the Pacific Northwest region. The manufacturer uses organic barley for the majority of its beers and brewed the inaugural Kernza beer in 2016.

Maui Brewing — Established in 2005, Maui is the most sizable craft brewery in Hawaii. As the first off-grid brewery in the USA, it solely utilizes solar panels, batteries, and biodiesel for power. This eco-friendly brewery dramatically reduces its environmental footprint by recycling nearly everything, including the carbon dioxide produced during brewing. Positioned as a key player within its community, Maui undertook substantial relief efforts in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfire.

Odell Brewing Co. — First opened in 1989 by brewer Doug Odell, in conjunction with his wife Wynne and sister Corkie, Odell is recognized as the first ever craft brewery in Fort Collins, CO, an area now widely renowned as a craft brewing hub. Famous for its innovative brews and philanthropy, Odell continuously works to lessen its environmental impact, with significant accomplishments such as halving its water consumption.

Rhinegeist — Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist, committed to sustainability, recycles materials such as plastic grain bags, aluminum, scrap metal, plastic film, and used grain. It also persistently endeavors to reduce its energy and water usage.

Russian River Brewing Company — Russian River has gained worldwide fame as the creators of the highly sought-after Pliny the Younger IPA, which is released just once a year, alongside a host of other award-winning beers. Beer enthusiasts frequently make the pilgrimage to Russian River’s original brewpub, located in Santa Rosa, CA, and their production facility in Windsor, CA also draws considerable attention.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Founded in 1980 in Chico, CA with repurposed dairy equipment, Sierra Nevada was started by Ken Grossman. Grossman brewed a Pale Ale that was rich in hops, and this action contributed greatly to the ignition of the craft beer revolution. Presently, Sierra Nevada ranks as the third-largest craft brewery within the US, while also leading in recycling, composting, and solar power application. They’ve also won several awards in recognition of their environmental conservation efforts.

Topa Topa – Inspired by a mountain range close by, Topa Topa was set up in Ventura, CA. The brewery produces beer targeted at its enthusiastic surfing, biking, and climbing community which it serves through its taprooms located in Ventura, Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Camarillo.