This week, Global Drinks Intel announced the winners of its first ESG Awards, and it named Conrad Distillery as the Sustainable Spirits Producer winner. Based in the picturesque Queensland wine region, Conrad Distillery has come a long way since its start in terms of sustainability. It produces many spirits, such as gin, vodka, and coffee liqueur, all made from rescued wine.
In the first two years since operating, Conrad Distillery has diverted 20 tonnes of wine from the landfill-that would have otherwise been there-including Smoke Taint batches. It sets a target of tripling the volume of diversion in the next year, as it commits to a circular economy and less waste.
The other innovation used at the distillery is a closed-water cooling system accompanied by a recycling and catchment system that uses considerably less water. According to the firm, this saved them over 15 tonnes of water every year. For each batch produced, they now use three tonnes less than those standards set by the rest of the industry, and this ensures responsible resource management for the distillery.
Another cornerstone of the sustainability efforts at Conrad is its energy efficiency. The distillery works with equipment manufacturers to design an energy-efficient still, and complemented by on-site solar panels, all the production processes are carbon neutral. Carbon emissions resulting from the production process are offset through the Catalyst Market Indigenous trading platform-a move that not only offsets its environmental impact but also builds stewardship for the environment and culture in the indigenous people.
In fact, Conrad Distillery is dedicated to waste reduction through its bottle return program, where consumers directly contribute to the pursuance of sustainability initiatives. As a spokesperson for the distillery quotes, “Our consumers are not just choosing a premium product, but are also putting their money on a brand that cares for the planet, its people, and the principles of responsible governance.”.
The judges commended Conrad Distillery in their ESG Awards for having “a very strong awareness of their CO2 impact,” adding that efficient-stills and a strong approach to water conservation were key drivers in reaching their decision.
Alongside Conrad Distillery, which is also B-Corps Certified, Boatyard Distillery in Ireland collected a site for its tremendous approach to sustainability. Based on the shores of Lough Erne, Boatyard crafts organic spirits comprising both Double Gin and Vodka in glass bottles consisting of 60% recycled material.
Boatyard has also implemented some new packaging solutions, with spirits coming in 2.8-litre pouches for on-premise sales, which therefore generates lesser waste. Moreover, Boatyard makes use of the peels of the fruit that it uses during the gin-making process and distributes them to local bars in Northern Ireland, so this waste product acts as garnish there. All the liquid waste generated from Boatyard goes to anaerobic digesters, which turn that waste into electricity.
Both Conrad and Boatyard are among the latest examples of a new wave in spirits manufacture where sustainability is increasingly becoming the focus. These may be regarded as prototypes that epitomize best practice and innovative thinking for proper and more responsible stewardship of the environment while also ensuring greater social responsibility in the manufacture of spirits. Thus, as awareness of the impact of choice builds, these distilleries are at the forefront of driving ever more responsible, sustainable spirits to consumers’ glasses.
Recognition by Global Drinks Intel reminds us that the spirits industry can indeed be a great force for positive change-to demonstrate that premium products may also be aligned to sustainable and ethical governance. As such, in an effort by brands such as Conrad Distillery and Boatyard, more promise is to be found in the near future for the spirits industries with greater sustainability and environmental consciousness.