UK Brewery Launches Beer Produced With Solar Power
Oakham Ales, a U.K.-based brewery, has announced its first beer brewed with solar power, produced in collaboration with consulting firm CUB UK and solar power developer Electron Green. The blonde ale was created at its facility in Peterborough, England, which is equipped with 1,000 photovoltaic panels.
Electron Green installed a new steel roof and solar system for free, retaining ownership while providing Oakham with discounted, fixed rates on solar energy. The panels are expected to reduce costs by £11,000 in the first year, 15% of electricity use, and in its lifetime, is expected to eliminate over 2,2000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
“As energy demands are expected to rise by 50% over the next decade, businesses need confidence in their energy supply and greater control over their costs,” Electron Green CEO Daniel Green said in a statement.
To celebrate its transition to solar energy, Oakham has released Sun City, a 3.7% alcohol-by-volume ale made with New Zealand-sourced hops. Now available in cask on location and for business orders, it combines the brand’s Nelson Sauvin with Nectaron, delivering a blend of pineapple, passion fruit, peach and gooseberry with citrus lime, grapefruit and herbal notes.
