Whiskey, Beer, and Wine Producers Clean up Their Act

Could tech make having a stiff drink good for the environment? As reported by David Worthington at Smartplanet, Tulibardine distillery in Scotland has partnered with energy startup Celtic Renewables to turn whiskey byproducts into butanol based biofuel, so booze hounds can feel they’re doing their part to save the planet. The project, which repurposes sugary waste produced during the distillation process, represents an eco-friendly—and cost-cutting—trend in the spirits industry. It also helps Tulibardine save on the £250,000 yearly cost of byproduct disposal. Companies like Magic Hat Brewing Co., Anheuser-Busch, and Coors have launched similar projects to use brewing byproducts to produce clean fuels. In a parallel trend, Scottish distiller Diageo saves money and resources by using tidal power to electrify its production, and a number of vineyards worldwide have turned to solar power to lower costs.