Big Storm Brewing Co. Paves Way In Reducing Carbon Footprint

CLEARWATER, FL — Big Storm Brewing Co. announced it is the first Florida distiller and brewer to use innovative technology to reuse its carbon emissions.

Partnering with Earthly Labs of Austin, Texas, Big Storm is installing two CiCi systems that allow Big Storm to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the brewing and distilling process and reuse it to reduce CO2 emissions.

Big Storm will install one system for brewing and a second for its distillery.

“This move allows us to be more eco-friendly and better protect the environment,” said Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni. “We want to be proactive by reducing our carbon emissions to ensure a better future for everyone. We hope our commitment to sustainability inspires others.”

The fermentation process produces carbon dioxide. This technology will capture CO2 off beer tanks one week and distilling tanks the next. Both systems will purify the CO2, which will be reused onsite primarily to carbonate and package beer. Big Storm will be able to capture the equivalent of more than 1,500 trees' worth of CO2 every year.

See related stories:

• Big Storm Brewing Specialty Beer To Benefit Feeding Tampa Bay
• Big Storm Employees Help Build Home For Pinellas Park Family

“In addition to the environmental benefits, the recovered CO2 makes for a better product,” said Govoni. “Reusing the purified carbon will give the beer a nicer taste and mouth feel.”

Big Storm has made sustainability a key area of investment. The company will be part of Earthly Labs' Climate Leader program, advancing research and development for the distilling industry and sharing those insights with their peers.

“Leading distillers like Big Storm are studying their CO2 emissions and looking for ways to capture, reuse, sell or convert CO2 to keep it out of the atmosphere,” said Earthly Labs CEO Amy George. “Big Storm’s willingness to provide a live lab to innovate is priceless – helping us to accelerate market-driven climate tech innovation to meet the climate challenge.”

Installation of the Earthly Labs CiCi carbon capture unit, which is the size of a double door refrigerator, at Big Storm Brewing Co. began last month. Big Storm expects CO2 capture within a few weeks.

In the wake of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) in Scotland, carbon capture has emerged as an area of interest for the world to achieve emissions reductions targets.

Climate scientists estimate carbon capture technology is needed as part of the portfolio of climate mitigation strategies to solve for 20 percent of the problem, or 2 gigatons of CO2 by 2040. This combined with CO2 market shortages will fuel demand for small-scale carbon capture technology like Earthly Labs.

Founded in 2012 in Pasco County, Big Storm currently has four taprooms in the Sunshine State — Clearwater, Orlando, Odessa and Cape Coral.

Big Storm has embraced its tagline of “Florida’s Craft Beer Forecast,” by developing a dynamic lineup of Florida favorites like Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, steeped with hibiscus flowers, and Key Lime Shandy, brewed with key lime puree.