Craft Beer and Sustainability: When Science Meets Hops
What happens when university researchers, environmental activists, and craft beer enthusiasts gather around a pint? Science on Tap is born—a series of public events demonstrating that craft beer and sustainability have far more in common than you might think.
Craft Beer as a Sustainability Laboratory
The initiative was created through a collaboration between Brock University's Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) and Bench Brewing Co. in Lincoln, Ontario. Director Julia Baird wanted to bring research beyond university classrooms to a place accessible to everyone: a craft brewery taproom.
Bench Brewing founder Matt Giffen is no stranger to these topics: he had already discussed his brewery's sustainable practices in a panel at the Art in Action: Climate festival. When produced thoughtfully, craft beer is a model of a circular economy: short supply chains, local ingredients, and reduced water and energy waste.
At Maltese, we know this well. Our beers are made with carefully selected Italian raw materials, with constant attention to environmental impact and the enhancement of local territory. Every bottle tells a story of terroir and responsibility.
👉 Discover our Italian craft beers and choose the one that's right for you.
Oceans, Forests, and Biodiversity: The Topics on the Table
The first event in the series, held in June, explored the relationship between forests and energy. The next event—August 17 at 6:30 p.m.—will be led by Professor Jessica Blythe in a quiz format titled "Sink or Swim: Can We Save Our Oceans?". Two key topics will take center stage:
- Marine CO₂ removal: an urgent climate solution that still lacks adequate environmental impact assessments.
- The 30x30 goal: protecting 30% of land and water by 2030 while respecting the rights of Indigenous and coastal communities.
Upcoming events will include sessions on water security (with a board game!) and urban biodiversity. In October, Baird and Giffen will discuss sustainability in an operating brewery at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre.
Why Choose Sustainable Craft Beer
Choosing craft beer isn't just a matter of taste: it's a conscious act. Craft breweries like Maltese invest in:
- Local, traceable ingredients — hops, malt, and yeast selected from certified Italian supply chains.
- Low-impact production processes — optimized water and energy consumption.
- Responsible packaging — bottles and packaging designed to reduce environmental impact.
When you open a Maltese, you support a production model that respects the land it comes from.
👉 Explore our box sets — the perfect gift for anyone who loves quality beer and cares about the planet.
Beer as a Meeting Point
Science on Tap demonstrates that craft beer is much more than a beverage: it is a catalyst for community, dialogue, and change. Whether it's a scientific event in a Canadian taproom or an evening among friends with a Maltese in hand, quality beer creates authentic connections.
All Science on Tap events are open to the public and free, with an optional donation to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation.
👉 Order your Maltese beers now and bring the taste of sustainable Italian craft beer to your table.
