Beartown Brewery has invested in 200 sustainable plastic barrels as part of its ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact and strengthening long-term resilience.
Mikey and Joe Manning, of Beartown Brewery
The barrels, purchased second-hand and refurbished, are now being rolled out across the brewery’s trade network.
Traditional steel kegs are often rented, at an average cost of around 25p per barrel per day. By owning their own 200 barrels, Beartown remove that ongoing cost.
In addition, the lighter-weight casks help to reduce fuel consumption during transportation, lowering emissions across distribution.
The investment forms part of a wider sustainability programme delivered in partnership with Marka, a hospitality sustainability accreditation specialist. Through the collaboration, Beartown have been reviewing their carbon footprint across brewing, packaging, and supply chain activity.
Alongside the barrel investment, the brewery is currently working with Marka on its Inception IPA as part of a carbon-neutral trial. The initiative measures the beer’s full life-cycle emissions and offsets remaining carbon through UK peat bog restoration projects. The trial aims to demonstrate that more sustainable brewing can be commercially viable, and that consumers are willing to choose environmentally responsible beer.
“This is a practical investment that makes sense for the business and for the environment,” said Joe Manning, managing director of Beartown Brewery. “Renting kegs at 25p a day adds up quickly, so owning our own barrels gives us long-term control and significant savings.
“Buying them second-hand was important to us. It allows us to extend their lifespan and operate more responsibly. Sustainability isn’t something we talk about lightly — it’s about taking real, measurable steps that improve how we operate day to day.”
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