The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Water reuse technology company Epic Cleantec has introduced what it calls a breakthrough moment in sustainable beverage production: two commercial beers brewed with highly purified recycled water recovered from showers and laundry systems.

Shower Hour IPA and Laundry Club Kölsch, developed in partnership with Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company in San Carlos, California, mark the first wide-release beers in the US made from recycled water sourced directly from buildings equipped with Epic’s advanced reuse systems.

The water undergoes multistage treatment using state-of-the-art purification processes, resulting in what the company says is “exceptionally pure” brewing water.

“As water and infrastructure challenges grow worldwide, buildings continue to discard perfectly good water with tremendous potential for reuse,” said Aaron Tartakovsky, co-founder and CEO of Epic Cleantec. “By creating Shower Hour IPA and Laundry Club Kölsch, we’re giving people a fun and approachable way to see recycled water in a new light.”

Epic previously generated major buzz in 2022 with OneWater Brew, an experimental batch that went viral and earned recognition from TIME and Fast Company. The new release represents the company’s first full-scale commercial offering.

While both new beers highlight the use of recycled water, Shower Hour OPA further integrates sustainable agriculture and brewing practices, with a recipe that includes:

• Azacca hops, semi dwarf varietals requiring less irrigation and offering strong disease resistance.

• Fonio grain, a drought-tolerant African cereal known for fast growth without fertilisers and for improving soil health.

• Kveik yeast, a fast-fermenting strain that thrives at high temperatures, lowering the brewery's energy consumption.

Chris Garrett, founder and CEO of Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, said: “These first-of-their-kind beers are a testament to what's possible when innovation, sustainability and craftsmanship converge. We’ve led with pristine recycled water and for the IPA, responsibly sourced ingredients that reflect our commitment to environmental stewardship.”

The beers will be available at major retailers across California, including BevMo!, Total Wine & More and Bianchini’s Market, as well as select independent stores throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Distribution is also beginning in Virginia, Oregon, Ohio, Kentucky, Vermont, New Hampshire, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Alaska and Washington, DC.