You can save the world! And you don't even have to wear a cape or hold auditions for a sidekick. All you have to do to save the world, is drink beer. That's right, drink beer. But you already do that? Well of course you do! But one type of beer in particular will help save the environment: organic beer.

You've probably heard of organic foods, organic beer works the same. According to the United States Department of Agriculture to be USDA certified organic a product must meet the following requirements: All ingredients must be grown organically. Meaning no use of toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and they must be grown in soil that has been free of chemicals for at least three years. They also can not use genetically modified ingredients. The product may contain 5 percent non organic ingredients if these ingredients are on the pre-approved list of hard-to-source ingredients. This includes hops which in recent years have become harder to come by. (For more information on the hop and barley shortage see Mike's story “How Much Will You Pay For Your Next IPA?").

Eating organic is beneficial for our bodies; as well as the environment. Products grown organically have a huge impact on the environment. According to the O'Mama report “studies show that organic farming reduces erosion and ground-water pollution and that it significantly reduces the impact on wildlife. Cornell University estimates that at least 67 million birds die each year from pesticides sprayed on US fields” Drinking local organic beer, or local beer in general also helps the environment. The transportation of anything uses fossil fuels, especially beer, which is a liquid contained in heavy bottles. Buying locally reduces transportation and fossil fuel use immensely. Unfortunately most organic hops are transported from New Zealand, but with an increased demand, more farmers and brewers will be able to afford to grow and buy locally. So get out there! Talk to your local brewery. (Find the one nearest you in our brewery database). See if they offer an organic beer and if not tell them you would like to see one. The biggest motivator is demand. The Organic Trade Association figures from 2005 state that organic beer sales increased 40 percent. Anheuser-Busch jumped on the band wagon and now produces two organic beers: Wild Hop lager and Stone Mill pale ale, produced under the names Green Valley Brewing Co, and Crooked Creek Brewing Co. respectively.

Want to try a local organic beer? Reach for New Belgium's Mothership Wit. It's Oregon Tilth certified organic. A wheat beer made with the organic ingredients: wheat malt, coriander and orange peel spicing. And again ask your local brewers about getting more organic beer, thus saving the environment, one beer at a time.