Since that transformative pint a few days ago, I cannot get cask ales out of my mind. I began thinking about the benefits of other unpasteurized products like the probiotic nature of yogurt and wondered if beer could have similar benefits. Some quick Google research yielded that drinking beer like this could actually save the world. In fact, CAMRA, the UK-based Campaign for Real Ale claims just that. CAMRA’s Chief Executive states on their website:

We’re all becoming more environmentally conscious and drinking a local real ale in a pub is one way of making a small but significant contribution to save the World and promote local economies in a food and drink market dominated by global companies. Draught real ale means no wasted beer cans or bottles and if you choose a locally brewed beer, you’ll help reduce unnecessary beer miles.

The article further describes the social and environmental returns as mentioned above, a few of which I highlight here:

• local economy-based job creation,
• reduced carbon footprint due to fewer “beer miles,”
• reduced packaging waste resulting from reusable casks (which last up to 20 years!)
• reduced energy usage since the beer is not served at unnatural “superchilled” temperatures and require no electricity for handpulled serving

According to Chris O’Brien, self-proclaimed beer activist and author of Fermenting Revolution: How to Drink Beer and Save the World, these benefits fall under a sustainability model called “bioregionalism.” I haven’t read the book, but his article in The Guardian gives a nice overview of how microbreweries are leading the way in locally-driven sustainable business. If you want to break it down further, I would say it’s about “Drink Local, Act Global.”

And on that note, I think I will join the festivities of Blue Point’s upcoming Cask Ale Festival (see my Good Events calendar in the sidebar for more info on this January event). Who knows? I may be inspired to craft a few brews of my own…

Saving the world never tasted so good.

Aside from fitting into an international movement to discourage the use of plastic bags, the bag’s benefits include being waterproof, strong, and portable. Envirosax extends beyond a commitment to producing an eco-friendly product to ensuring fair labor conditions and supporting sustainability education in its business model–a true triple bottom line company.

I have decreased my plastic bag contribution to landfills, since I snagged my set. My only complaint is that it sometimes unravels out of its pouch-like mode. Dealing with this annoyance gave me another portable, and nearly free, idea based on the Envirosax product.

1. Take a canvas tote (I’ve been getting these free as promos from events)
2. Roll it from left to right (or right to left, for the lefties) into a strip
3. Roll that strip from bottom to top
4. Secure with a large safety pin

When you need to use the tote, just unhook and unravel, attaching the safety pin to the inside of the sack.

Did you try this or the Envirosax? If so, lemme know.