TGIF! Think Green, It’s Friday!

Hooooooray! It’s Friday! It’s time to let loose! In a green state of mind? We hope so. Here are a few tips to making your weekend best friends with the environment.

Last week, we tackled the idea of green cocktails. This week, with the help of planet green.com, we’re going to tackle a similar subject. Green beer!

“Beer isn't just the poster beverage for college parties, your after-work wind down, or lazy Sunday afternoons—no, beer is also a key player in a multi-billion dollar industry that reaches into the far corners of the world. Everyone loves beer—even environmentalists—and that might be why there's been a recent boom in green, organic spirits, sustainable and renewable energy powered breweries, and environmentally conscious, discerning drinkers. That's why it's as pertinent time as ever to think about what we all can do to green our beer drinking—and there's more to do than you might think. From supporting sustainable, even solar powered breweries, to drinking organic, pesticide-free beers, to steering clear of excessive packaging in cans and bottles”, there is much you can do to make your next drink one for the environment.

Here are a few steps you can take towards a greener beer. And don’t worry, they’re on the house.

*Drink organic brews

“Organic beer is a growing force in the industry, with dozens of brands and even more brews to choose from. If a beer carries an organic label, that means it's been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as adhering to strict, legally binding farming regulations. It means you can expect the barley and hops to be organically grown: no toxic pesticides, no artificial fertilizers, no chemical preservatives; just fresh, non-toxic ingredients. Drinking organic (and buying organic) is also a good way to support more sustainable agriculture, and even to combat global warming.”

*Support green beer companies

“Keep an eye out for beer companies that are going the extra mile to achieve environmental responsibility—some companies are truly making a noble effort towards sustainability.”

*Drink beer from draught instead of from bottles

“The keg-inclined out there among us have reason to celebrate, greenly-drinking the draught is greener than downing the bottles. It only takes some simple visualization to understand why this is so: the kegs you'd buy for your college parties, and those that sit 'neath the counter at your favorite bar—how many beers does each hold? Depending on the size, it could be hundreds. That's hundreds of saved cans or bottles, provided you're reusing your cup.”

*Recycle your bottles, cans, and other packaging

“If you've just finished off a 12 pack of Silver Bullets, make sure to get those cans into the recycling bin—an aluminum can will likely be recycled and back on the shelves within 60 days . Aluminum is a sustainable metal and can be recycled ad infinitum (well, almost). If it's bottles you've got, make sure those get recycled too—most curbside programs will take both. And don't forget that cardboard box casing—unless it's drenched in beer and ruined, that's some perfectly good fodder for the paper section of your recycling bin.”

Here’s to your green weekend!