“Going Green” is more than just a fad these days; it is a way of life for some people. Even if you haven’t made much of a commitment to minimizing your eco-footprint yet, you are at least aware of the growing environmental awareness that seems to be rapidly expanding. Tax-breaks for upgrading to energy saving appliances, corporations supporting environmental groups and “greener” consumer products at the supermarket are all indicators that the times are changing and it is more and more important for businesses to lead the way in this new era. The Greatest Beers of the World interviewed some local business owners who have been pioneering green practices.
TexMex Connection located in North Wales, PA has established themselves as the “Green” restaurant by becoming certified by the non-profit Green Restaurant Association. Their pride and joy is their annual 5K “Race for Open Space,” which benefits the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association. This is their 22nd year hosting the event and they hope to raise $100,000 this year alone. Additionally, all of their food waste and about 99% of all disposable trash is sent to their compost pile and the remaining 1% is transported by Sustainable Waste Solutions to a local waste facility that turns it into usable energy that powers about 30,000 homes. Their list of sustainable practices reads like a laundry list: all the grease from the kitchen is converted to BioFuel, they use chemical-free cleaning supplies, low-wattage bulbs, water-free toilets and low-flow valves, Energy Star appliances, and the list goes on! Buying local foods and local beers is important to them as well, and more often than not you will find Prism Beer on tap, brewed less than a mile away from the restaurant. Needless to say, TexMex is a restaurant that is clearly leading the pack towards a better future.
What about your local microbrewery? Berks County’s own Kutztown Tavern has taken big steps towards improving their efficiency and has more to come in the near future. They have installed high-efficiency Lutron Controllers which operate with timers and motion sensors and they use light bulbs that cost $80 a piece, but which last for over 15 years. 
Their next big step comes this May, when they close the restaurant down for about two weeks to renovate the interior and install solar panels so that they can convert their hot water heater to utilize solar-thermal energy. Brewmaster Bob Sica says “the whole building will rely on water heated by solar-thermal energy: the restaurant, the brewery and all the apartments above.” And because Sica will be able to use water that has been pre-heated by the Sun, the amount of energy needed to get the water to the necessary 185˚F will be significantly reduced, and as we all know less energy usage means more money saved. Going green is not just good for the Earth; it’s good for the wallet too!
Let’s say you want to take a break from shopping at Whole Foods this summer and have a romantic night out with your loved one. For some of the best Italian food this side of the Atlantic, look no further than Mamma D’s Italian Restaurant and Winery, located in Pipersville, PA. They have their own garden where they organically grow fresh vegetables and herbs, their outside bar utilizes solar powered batteries, and they use their wind turbine to pump collected rain water into their sod-rooftop irrigation system. The owner and chef Louie Desiato tells us that the sod roof helps keep the restaurant cool in the summer months and helps to shave the cost of air conditioning to a minimum. During the winter months, the same solar and wind power system helps them run their micro-winery. Their beer selection is considerable, and there is something for everyone. From Stella Artois to Früli, and Uinta Anglers to Prism Bitto Honey, they have every taste covered. They even have a home-made organic hard apple cider that is fermented in brandy barrels.
Don’t forget the entertainment! If you find yourself purchasing chemical-free detergents or buying cage-free eggs, why let your consumer responsibilities end there? Everyone deserves a good time now and then and nothing beats a good concert. Puck in Doylestown is the only concert venue with a rooftop lined with solar panels! Moore Energy installed them this past year and though it was an expensive project, within the next four years Puck will be seeing their return on investment. Solar energy has huge untapped potential, and Puck is setting the example by showing other local business that long-term investments in sustainable energy are worth the effort. Lynn Goldman from Puck says that “the task (solar panel installation) may seem daunting when you first approach it, but Moore Energy made it very easy. They handle all the paperwork and get you set up to receive your tax breaks.” Check out their “Beer and a Movie” event May 12th. Pair your favorite movie with a Long Trail beer, kick back, relax, and enjoy the show!
“We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive.” – Albert Einstein
