Ideal Bite bills themselves as a “Sassier Shade of Green”. They offer daily tips on ways to live a more “green” life. No, this isn’t living in a commune, making your own clothes out of hemp, and eating nothing but granola (although you could if you want). Rather, they’re trying to reach the rest of us and help us take a smaller “bite out of the apple”. (They’re based in New York City, hence the apple.)

Beer, fortunately, is fairly gentle to the environment. Granted, brewing beer uses a lot of water, and time, energy and land is devoted to barley that could be used for growing food, but the actual brewing process produces no pathogens and many of the byproducts of beer can be used for other things. Further, several brewers are now using wind power and other renewable sources for their power needs.

However, if you’d like to be a little “greener” (and I’m not talking about Heineken bottles), Ideal Bite suggests going for an organic beer:

• Organic beers use the freshest ingredients, often supporting small local farmers.
• With overall beer sales topping over 223 million barrels in 2004, going organic will drive down the prices of microbrewed organics.
• Organic ingredients are more temperamental, so the brewers put more care into the process, giving you a better beer.

They then offer some suggestions:

• Wolavers - certified organic and mighty tasty.
• Eel River Brewing Company – several great organic options, including IPAs, porters and ambers.
• Samuel Smith’s Organic Lager – the British standard, goes with everything.
• Although Brooklyn Brewery and New Belgium brewery can’t claim to be organic, they are both powered 100% by wind.

I expect that brewing your own would be even better for the environment. I also know that there are more brewers than those listed using wind power now.

What are your tips for “greener” beer consumption?