For us, sustainability isn’t just a passion – it's a way of life! We try to make our product as sustainable as possible every step of the way -- from the wort, the packaging, all the way to the glass. One of the biggest resources we use in our beer is water, and it takes a lot to make as much beer as we do.

Our founder, Larry Bell, is a member of the Alliance for the Great Lakes and is very vocal about water conservation. We care deeply about our resource usage, so much so that we have a water reclamation system onsite at our brewery to make sure the water we use can be used multiple times and in numerous ways. But it doesn't stop there. We also have a vested interest in our community, so we partnered with the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and donated some of our barrels to help conduct a workshop for the residents of Kalamazoo to teach them one of the most effective ways to reuse excess rain water - rain barrels. Some of our employees took part. 

What is a Rain Barrel? A rain barrel is typically a 55-gallon barrel that is used to collect and re-purpose excess rain water from your roof. Excess rain runoff can erode stream channels, over-fill roadways, and overdose waterways with nutrients that can cause harmful algae blooms. That’s where the barrels come in! The barrel is put under the downspout of your home and collects the excess runoff. That excess runoff water can be used to water your lawn or garden for a later date.

If you are looking for a rain barrel to construct for yourself, there are plenty of options! Many local home and garden stores have barrels in stock during the spring and summer months. Be sure to check your local laws to see if there are any restrictions on collecting rain water.

For more information about rain barrels, visit the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council. Keep an eye out on their website for any future upcoming workshops!