Bay area brewery captures air – a carbon-negative revolution

Alameda’s Almanac Adventureland taproom is pioneering a startling shift in beer production, pulling carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere to carbonate its flagship brews.

A lunar lander for sustainability

A group of local beer enthusiasts, known as the Beer Stooges, recently celebrated a new batch of Almanac’s “Flow” beer – a carbonated brew sourced entirely from ambient air. The brewery’s CEO, Damian Fagan, initially dismissed the idea as outlandish, but the reality, embodied by a custom Direct Air Capture (DAC) unit resembling a miniature lunar lander, is undeniably revolutionary.

The device, developed by Berkeley startup Aircapture, utilizes ceramic bricks packed with specialized structures to absorb CO2 from the parking lot. These intricate materials effectively act as sponges, capturing and storing one ton of carbon dioxide annually – equivalent to the sequestration achieved by an acre of hardwood forest. The process is remarkably efficient, releasing the captured CO2 in high purity for use in fermentation.

Cutting costs, reducing impact

“We see atmospheric CO2 not as a threat, but as an opportunity,” explains Matt Atwood, CEO and founder of Aircapture. “When we analyze carbon dynamics, we recognize a pathway to a more sustainable and economically viable process.” Currently, most commercial CO2 sources rely on fossil fuels, creating a complex supply chain and contributing to environmental concerns. Almanac is now procuring 20% of its carbon needs from Aircapture, offering a significantly cheaper and more environmentally sound alternative. This shift represents a tangible reduction in their carbon footprint and a smart move on their bottom line.

John Lopez and Charles Dennis, members of the Beer Stooges, were enthusiastic about the innovation. “I think it’s amazing. I think it’s freaking amazing,” Dennis exclaimed. “I think it’s a great initiative. I think this tastes great because of what they’re doing,” Lopez added, highlighting the community’s support for this bold experiment.

The success of Almanac’s carbon-capture initiative underscores the potential of emerging technologies to reshape industries and address pressing environmental challenges. It’s a testament to ingenuity and a glimpse into a future where breweries, and perhaps many other sectors, actively contribute to a cleaner planet.