DRINKS MAKERS SOUNDING THE ALARM

Drinks makers are already ringing the alarm bells about these dramatically changing conditions. Diageo has warned that water scarcity is threatening drinks production and is the most severe climate change-related threat to drinks makers. According to the company, it had 43 production sites in water-stressed regions across the world last year and has now set targets to replenish more water than it uses in these water- challenged regions by 2026. With water making up 90% of a beer, and 60% of a spirit, it’s a challenge all drinks makers will be faced with.

However, some producers are already making climate change key to their liquids. California has long suffered from droughts. So perhaps it’s no surprise a Californian brewer has just teamed up with a water-recycling company to create a water-scarce beer. Well, that’s the sexy way of putting it. The less sexy way is to say Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company has worked with Epic Cleantec to create Epic OneWater Brew, a beer made from greywater collected from the showers, laundry and bathroom sinks in a San Francisco apartment building. Sadly, announced in May, it’s not for sale. It’s been produced to illustrate the possibilities, yet it is a fully drinkable, all-singing, all-dancing beer. However, it proves to other brewers exactly what’s possible.