Alcohol-free brewery Drop Bear Beer Co has launched a new range of cans as it converts from bottles as part of its commitment to the environment.
The start-up said the move is central to it becoming Wales’ first ‘B Corp’ brewery (and one of less than ten in the UK.
Attaining B Corporation status is a natural transition for the company and will identify the brewery as meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability.
Founded by Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena in 2019 in Swansea, Drop Bear has to date carbon offset 60.08 tonnes of greenhouse gasses and planted over 730 trees – an average of 12 trees per employee per month.
Earlier this year the business secured an £1.9m equity investment - which included £1.5m from former chief executive of FTSE 100 Admiral Henry Engelhardt, to build one of the world’s first dedicated alcohol-free breweries. The brewery, the location of which has yet to be identified somewhere along the M4 corridor in South Wales, is scheduled to open next spring.
Ms Drummond said, “Drop Bear is passionate about driving authentic positive change in this world. Businesses of any shape, size, or industry can and should do their part. Our transition to cans from bottles is the next natural step in Drop Bear’s sustainability journey as we continue our rapid growth.
“Aluminium has a higher recycling rate than glass. As more cans may be stacked on a pallet, food miles are saved, further reducing our carbon footprint.
“Drop Bear has always stood strong on sustainability from day one, and this is something that Sarah and I have wanted to do for a while now, so we’re really excited to finally be able to make this move.
“When it comes to the quality of the beer and sustainability, we don’t want just to meet standards; we want to set the bar higher. The rising popularity of cans amongst consumers is also a key factor to consider as we scale up, for so many different reasons - consumers want cans.
The firm’s range currently consists of four beers: Tropical IPA, Yuzu Pale Ale, Bonfire Stout, and New World Lager – all of which are below 0.5% ABV.
In its second year of operation the company saw a growth in sales of over 650%, and projections for the end of 2021 are expected to be in triple figures.
Ms McNena said, “We are expecting to see bumper growth in the next few years, especially with the new brewery, which will see us head and shoulders above the competition as one of only two dedicated alcohol-free breweries in the UK and less than five in the world.”
