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brewery in California’s Bay Area has developed a more sustainable way to make beer by harvesting carbon dioxide directly from the air.
Based in Alameda, Almanac Beer Company has become the world’s first brewery to carbonate its beer using CO₂ captured from the surrounding atmosphere. The brewery runs a dedicated direct air capture machine onsite that continuously pulls in ambient air to extract carbon dioxide.
The captured CO₂ is purified and converted into food-grade liquid carbon dioxide, which is then used to carbonate its ale beer. Beyond creating the signature fizz and foam, CO₂ also subtly shapes the beer’s flavor profile.
The brewery’s team described the innovative process as groundbreaking and futuristic. By sourcing carbon dioxide from the air instead of traditional industrial supplies, Almanac greatly reduces the carbon footprint of beer production, turning the popular drink into a more environmentally friendly product.