Northern Monk, together with Toast and Muntons Malt, have brewed a beer using regenerative grain and surplus bread to celebrate Earth Day 2024.
Using regenerative barley from Muntons, and fresh, surplus bread supplied by Toast, the 5.0% Pale Ale, One for the Earth, commemorates Earth Day, an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
60% of the grain bill is Regenerative Agriculture malt from a single farm in Yorkshire, a farming process which helps improve soil quality and biodiversity and through Munton’s low carbon production is some of the lowest carbon footprint malt in the world. Combined with 10% of the grain bill, which is from surplus bread product that would otherwise have gone to waste.
Brewed with Toast who turn leftover loaves to liquid gold, and Muntons Malt suppliers, who are recognised globally as leaders in sustainability, the beer is made with a portion of rye malt, alongside bread crumb, for a golden hue and an earthy, spicy depth alongside the usual mouthfeel-boosting properties of flaked oats.
Ciaran Shier, Northern Monk’s Positive Impact Director, said: “The concept for One for the Earth first started last year when we were given the opportunity by our malt supplier, Muntons, to procure regenerative agriculture malt from a single pioneering farm near our home in Yorkshire. Having learned about the positive impact regen agriculture has on soil health, biodiversity and carbon emissions we jumped at the opportunity to bring some into our supply chain.
“Earth Day presented us with an ideal opportunity to brew our first beer with this malt but we wanted to take it one step further by combining it with an abundant food waste – bread. So we reached out to the experts at Toast for their advice and they helped bring the concept to reality.
“We are very mindful of our environmental impact and are on a mission we call Faith in Futures to improve our positive impact on the planet which includes being carbon neutral in our direct emissions by 2030. Collaborating with two other like-minded businesses in Muntons and Toast Ale to produce One for the Earth is an exciting step for the Faith in Futures project by exploring what is possible in producing a beer that’s better for the planet.”
Kate Dixon, Head of Sustainability, Marketing & Innovation, said: “It’s exciting to see a product come to life that embraces our commitment to sustainability from seed to sip, and celebrates the power of strong partnerships.
“We’ve worked closely with Graham Potter, a passionate grower in Yorkshire to produce the lowest possible carbon barley that has been processed in our low carbon maltings. Working closely with Northern Monk and Toast Brewing who are equally as passionate about the planet makes this is a collaboration we are truly proud of!”
Louisa Ziane, Co-founder of Toast Brewing said: “Food production is the biggest contributor to climate change and nature loss, but one-third of all food is wasted. That’s why we brew with surplus bread and collaborate with fantastic breweries like Northern Monk to inspire the entire beer industry to join us! We were thrilled to work with them and Muntons to produce this epic beer for Earth Day.”
First held in 1970, Earth Day now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org involving more than 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
Hopped with Citra, Bru-1 for distinct pineapple notes and a touch of the distinctive Sabro for a hint of tropical flavours, the beer will be released on Earth Day 2024, Monday 22 April.
One for the Earth will be available from northernmonk.com, Northern Monk Refectories in Leeds and Manchester, toastbrewing.com, Good Company Tap Café in London and usual independent stockists.
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