Canberra brewery recognised with B-Corp certification

Canberra-based independent brewery Capital Brewing Co. has announced that it has achieved B-Corp certification.

This means that the company has been recognised for its work in producing an environmentally and socially friendly business. The certification comes after the brewery recently achieved a carbon neutral operation.

Tom Hertel, one of the company’s founders and managing directors, said: “Rather than simply being ‘for profit’, the three core elements of a B-Corp — a commitment to the planet, people and purpose — has been at the core of every decision we’ve made since we started Capital over five years ago. We are thrilled to now be one of the 300 Aussie businesses that have those commitments enshrined in our constitution.”

Laurence Kain, the company’s other founder and managing director, said: “Achieving B-Corp certification is no easy task, it’s not handed out to anyone who applies. The average score for companies who apply is 50.9 out of 200, with carbon-neutral status awarded just 2 points. We’re incredibly proud to have achieved a score of 102.4 and with that, be able to offer our customers the knowledge that by picking up an ice-cold Capital brew from the pub, they are also investing in a positive future.”

The brewery has instituted various energy, water, waste and chemical reduction strategies across its operations, including using 100% renewable electricity and installing an automated cellbar tank cleaning system to recycle rinse water and cleaning chemicals.

Additionally each year it diverts 709 tonnes of spent grain, hops and yeast to Landtasia Organic Farm. It also works with a farm in Victoria, Orana Park, in implementing sustainable cropping, and a charity in Jindabyne, Keep it Cool, that plants trees in the area.

Since B-Corp certification also relates to social benefits, not just environmental ones, the brewery is concentrating on its staff and the surrounding community.

“Our staff happiness is paramount and so is how we deliver for our customers. From staff safety, training and development, and strict quality control to ensure you always receive a top quality product, all our people are our top priority,” Kain said.

Capital Brewing Co is one of only a few breweries that is B-Corp certified in Australia. Find out more about the company’s approach to its B-Corp status on its site.

Image credit: Capital Brewing Co