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(Courtesy Devils Backbone)
Devils Backbone Brewing has capped off 2019 with the installation of 1,242 solar panel at its outpost production facility….But that was just the brewery’s latest step to lessen its carbon footprint.
Here’s the deal…
The Devils Backbone Outpost Production Brewery has been ambitious about looking out for the planet and its Lexington, VA backyard in particular. And the new solar array on the roof of its means 16% of the production brewery’s purchased electricity will be coming from renewable sources, eliminating what is projected to be the dispersal of almost 943,526 pounds of CO into the environment in 2020.
But the solar panel’s installation is just part of Devils Backbone’s Heartland Initiative a series of programs and partnerships that fall under five pillars: Neighbors, Environment, Industry, Operations, and Family.
“From our inception over 10 years ago, Devils Backbone has been at the forefront of employing green technology on our properties. We are the only brewery in the state of Virginia that has a wind turbine producing clean energy for our operations,” said Devils Backbone Founder, Steve Crandall….
“I’m proud to announce that we are now utilizing a large solar array to further cut our carbon footprint in Rockbridge County.”
The installation of solar panels at Devils Backbone is part of a larger, company-wide commitment from Brewers Collective, the craft business unit of Anheuser-Busch who acquired the brewery in 2016.
(Courtest Devils Backbone)
As part of Anheuser-Busch’s Elevate program Devils Backbone worked with ForeFront Power and PCI Solar to design and install the solar array. That installation was completed in October and the panels were interconnected to the electrical grid by November.
But that’s only a part of the brewery’s commendable community efforts in 2019…
- The Volunteer Challenge: A new program to support employees in their efforts to volunteer in the community. Employees were challenged to volunteer at least eight hours of community service within the calendar year, and upon completion Devils Backbone issued $100 to the non-profit of the employee’s choice. Year-to-date, 1,700+ hours of volunteer service have been completed and more than $2,500 has been committed to charities across the Devils Backbone footprint.
- Hoopla Recycling Program: For the first time, the 2019 Hoopla festival at the Basecamp property in Nelson County incorporated a recycling program. During the three-day festival, Devils Backbone successfully recycled 1,200 pounds of aluminum, plastic, and cardboard, which helped to conserve three cubic yards of landfill airspace, 4,000+ kW-Hrs of electricity, 400+ metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and 2,200+ gallons of water.
- Season of Giving: This special program features and supports non-profit organizations local to the Outpost and Basecamp breweries. Each quarter, an item on each menu is designated as the Season of Giving dish, and each time it’s ordered Devils Backbone donates $2 to the selected non-profit. To date, six non-profits have been supported with over $6,300 in donations. Organizations include the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Nelson County Pantry, Coming Home Well, Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center, Rockbridge Area Relief Association, and the Community Table.
We can get snarky about the big beer conglomerates here at American Craft Beer. So it’s only fair that we applaud companies like Anheuser-Busch when they adopt sustainability strategies and take steps to better their community that make for a better world!
And here’s another admirable thing that AB InBev’s Brewers Collective did in 2019…
