Full Sail Brewing, nationally known for its award-winning beers, was recently recognized by the Portland Business Journal for their innovation in sustainability. The Innovation in Sustainability awards were announced Thursday, November 19, at the Portland Art Museum where a special Portland Business Journal insert, Sustainable Oregon, was unveiled. Cited were Full Sail’s responsible water usage and conservation, renewal energy use and conservation, support for waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and use of local ingredients. Irene Firmat, Founder and CEO, of the employee-owned Full Sail Brewing Company accepted the award.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized for our responsible practices in a state that is known for being on the forefront of sustainability. For us, this sense of responsibility has been part of our core principals since we first started brewing beer over 22 years ago. Over the years we have been committed to being stewards of the environment and have remained dedicated to operating our brewery in the most responsible manner possible. As an employee owned company we share this award with our all employees who are a key part of our daily commitment to these practices. Open communication and suggestions from employees have contributed greatly to the success of managing and maintaining a socially and environmentally fair business,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s Founder and CEO.

Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster agrees. “Our brewery’s amazing location nestled between the Columbia River and the snow-capped peak of Mt. Hood, in Hood River, Oregon makes us all feel a deep connection for our surroundings. Employees are the owners at Full Sail – and because Oregon is our home – we feel empowered to run the brewery in the most responsible manner every day. As much as we are committed to brew great beers, we are also committed to our community. It would be impossible to live and work in the Columbia River Gorge and not be inspired by the sheer beauty of the place. It is the blue skies, green forests, snow-capped mountains and pristine rivers surrounding us that insure our dedication.”

Some of the company’s sustainability measures include: Efficient brewhouse: The brewery is as sustainable and efficient as possible, starting with the parts of the building that were reclaimed and recycled when the brewery first opened in the old Diamond Fruit cannery. The company utilizes energy measures such as energy-efficient lighting and air compressors, and compresses the work week into four very productive days, which helps reduce water and energy consumption by 20 percent.

Sustainable brew process: Pure water literally flows from the peaks that surround the brewery, so Full Sail takes care to conserve this precious resource. While average breweries consume six to eight gallons of water for every gallon of beer produced, Full Sail has reduced its consumption to a mere 3.45 gallons, and operates its own on-site wastewater treatment facility. Local farms supply the other essential ingredients for award-winning brews: 85 percent of hops and 95 percent of barley come straight from Northwest farms.

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle: Full Sail uses 100% recycled paperboard on all its packaging (and was one of the first in the industry to commit to long-term purchasing of recycled paper products). Everything from office paper to glass to stretch wrap to wooden pallets is recycled. Even dairy cows are beneficiaries of brewery waste: 4,160 tons of spent grain and 1,248 tons of spent yeast are sent back to farmers every year to use as feed for cows.

Community-wide practices: Full Sail purchases 140 blocks of Pacific Power Blue Sky renewable energy per month. This practice results in the reduction of 168 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of planting 33,000 trees. Full Sail also supports over 300 events and charities each year, with a focus on those in Oregon. Employees at the company have inspired environmental change among other businesses in the Hood River area as well. Full Sail was a founding member of the Hood River Chamber of Commerce’s Green Smart program, an initiative that helps businesses and organizations within the Hood River watershed increase their productivity and profitability by improving resource efficiency and by reducing waste and pollution.

Earlier this year, Full Sail was named one of the “100 Best Green Companies to Work for in Oregon” by Oregon Business magazine for fostering an outstanding workplace that focuses on sustainable practices and the State of Oregon recognized Full Sail Brewing with Sustainable Tourism award for their leadership, stewardship and social responsibility. In 2008 Full Sail Brewing received the Businesses for an Environmentally Sustainable Tomorrow Award (BEST) from the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development and the Governor’s Award for Sustainability from the State of Oregon. In addition the company’s Portland Riverplace Brewery and offices received recognition as a RecycleWorks business for its excellent track record of recycling, reducing waste and buying environmentally preferable products.

About Full Sail Brewing Company
The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment 47 specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Session Premium Lager and Session Black. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 22 years. Full Sail is committed to brewing great beer while adhering to socially and environmentally sustainable practices. Their award winning brews are now available in nineteen states. Full Sail is a founding sponsor of the Hood River Chamber of commerce’s “Green Smart” program, and supports over 300 events and charities each year, the majority of which are local. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view.