The brewing industry and environmental challenges

The brewing industry is one of the largest industrial users of water. In spite of significant technological improvements over the last 20 years, energy consumption, water consumption, wastewater, solid waste and by-products and emissions to air remain major environmental challenges in the brewing industry. This article reviews some of these challenges with a focus on key issues: water consumption and waste generation, energy efficiency, emission management, environmental impact of brewing process and best environmental management practices which do not compromise quality of beer. The review is meant to create an awareness of the impact of beer production on the environment and of, practices to reduce environmental impact. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.