Several breweries around the world are harnessing geothermal steam power to create signature craft beers – and some even reference geothermal energy or hot spring’s mineral content in their brews’ names. These venues use geothermal steam to boil the water needed during the brewing process, and some then return the vapor back to the Earth, creating a sustainable circuit. Let’s look at three examples of where energy innovation meets craft beer.
Vapori di Birra in Tuscany, Italy
Located in the medieval village of Sasso Pisano, Vapori di Birra has been utilizing geothermal steam to create its in-house beers since its founding in 2013. By early 2019, it produced 40,000 bottles per year and exported 1,600. Vapori di Birra uses the geothermal power produced at the nearby Sasso 2 plant, which draws from Sasso Pisano’s boraciferous fumaroles: natural vents in the Earth that release vapor tinged with borate and sodium.
According to the plant operator, Enel Green Power, for each point in the brewing process that requires heat, vapor is routed from the plant to the brewery, and at the end of the brew, the used vapor is sent back to the plant, where it is cooled and returned to the subsoil. The beers are never in direct contact with the vapor, so the intrinsic properties of the malt and other materials remain intact.
Vapori di Birra has told Enel Green Power that it saw a 25-percent reduction in energy cost from switching from traditional to geothermal methods. As an homage, the names of the brewery’s eight craft beers each reference geothermal energy. Try the Sulfurous, a Weiss that packs a punch at 14.8-percent alcohol, or the fruity and caramel Magma, an American ale.
Ölverk Pizza and Brewery in Hveragerði, Iceland
A short drive from Iceland’s capital city, Ölverk Pizza and Brewery pipes steam from the town’s abundant geothermal features to fuel its 300-litre brewing system. Each batch takes 11-15 days to craft, and the steam is used to heat the water, hops, barley and yeast.
The town of Hveragerði is south of Hengill, an active volcano surrounded by geothermal areas. The region is also home to the country’s two largest geothermal power plants. Join a large group (you need 20 people minimum) for a 40-minute tour of the brewery and learn all about the volcano, the region’s geothermal power and Ölverk’s two-barrel brewing process.
The tour includes four beer samples, but if you’re still thirsty afterward, try Ölverk’s sour, Grænihver, named for the light green color of the hot spring in nearby Hveravellir Geothermal Area. The brewers describe it as light and both “sweet and sour at the same time.” If a sour ale is too adventurous, opt for Ölverk’s IPA, Rótandi, which the owners say is cloudy like the nearby hot spring water. Pair it with a wood-fired pizza from Ölverk’s brewpub before continuing on your way. Menu highlights include unconventional toppings such as hot dogs, coconut flakes and seaweed.
Riff Raff Brewing in Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Pagosa Springs, Colo. is a hot spot (pun intended) for high-end art, wellness activities and geothermal energy. It’s also home to Riff Raff Brewing, an establishment that leans heavily into two areas: “The Big Lebowski” and sustainability.
Riff Raff Brewing uses swimming pool heating parts to harness the geothermal energy from the hot springs near the San Juan River, completing their brews and warming the restaurant during winter. The equipment costs its owners just $35 per month to run during its first ten years of use.
Order Riff Raff’s signature lamb burger, The Big Lambowski, and try one of its six flagship beers. Standouts include the El Duende Green Chile, a light ale brewed with hatch chiles, and the Plebian Porter, a dark brew with chocolate and caramel notes.
When you’re finished, rest and digest in one of the pools at The Springs Resort just up the road. Day passes are available to the public to access the resort’s 25 mineral hot spring pools. You can even alternate between soaking in the hot springs and the San Juan River to combine the many health benefits of mineral soaking and contrast therapy.