TALLAHASSEE, FL. (WTXL) - Brewing Craft Beer in Florida is quickly becoming a booming business. With mom and pop breweries popping up daily throughout the region, some are worried about the quality of brew hitting the market. For one North Florida brewery it's all about making a great Craft beer that is also good for the environment.
Gabe Grass with Grasslands Brewing Co. says, "Right now we are sitting in the realization of a four year dream come to reality."
In 2011 Grass put his vision for brewing beer in motion. His dream? To brew quality beer that was environmentally friendly.
Grass, says, "We do want to promote our desire to increase environmental issues specifically in this area of the country and the coastal areas. We also care about animal conservation."
The spent grain is donated to Lemon Drop Animal Sanctuary in Havana. Due to the donation, the sanctuary is able to feed 160 animals every week. Most recently Grasslands partnered with Maui Brewing Co. for a market launch where a portion of the proceeds went to the Surf Rider Foundation. All things geared towards conservation and awareness of the environment. With a growing Craft Beer industry locally Grass says, Tallahassee is prime for success, "Florida is kind of behind the rest of the country. I think we are on the top 5 for the number of breweries in the state per state but we are on the bottom 5 for number of breweries per one-million residence."
It's a potential growth opportunity for the area. Grass believes Florida is on the cusp of a brewery boom for Craft Beer in Florida. But it won't come without its challenges.
According to Grass, "The obstacles I think are more on the grander scale. Capitalization for one, staying a float, but I think as we grow competing for shelf space in the packaging industry. Canning or bottling going into traditional grocery stores."
Grocery store shelves have been historically dominated by macro-breweries. Grass says, as the popularity of Craft Beer grows so will the shelf space. For now Grasslands is busy brewing beer it hopes to see on grocery store shelves all across the state. Grass says, it's their approach to how they brew their beer that sets them apart. Grasslands and other local breweries are committed to protecting the environment and recycling as much waste as possible.
Grass says, "We and Proof and MoMo's and Lake Tribe are all trying to promote is this growth of a specific niche that people are attracted to."
As the popularity of Craft Beer increases so does the commitment for a quality brew that leaves as little of a foot print on the environment as possible.
