You've heard of paddock to plate, but what about the brewery to the trough?
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Capital Brewing has entered into an agreement to divert 450 tonnes of brewing by-product into the production of food for cows and compost.
Capital Brewery managing director Laurence Kain said the agreement with Landtasia Organic Farms would see Capital Brewing's spent grain, hops and yeast transported daily from the brew house in Fyshwick to Landtasia's farm for processing into supplement feed for more than 500 head of cattle.
"There's no beer on a dead planet, so we're doing everything we can to minimise our waste and increase our re-use," Mr Kain said.
"The agreement gives Landtasia some certainty over a long period of time that they're going to be receiving that waste product from us for free."
Capital Brewing was forced to pour its beer waste down the drain, but this agreement will ensure six tonnes of spent grain and 4000 litres of trub by-product gets another life.
The 10,500-acre Landtasia farm near Bungendore estimated $75,000 in savings per year, which will be used to invest in larger compost-handling equipment.
Lantasia founder Richard Graham said the condition of the grain from the brewery was of a high standard and would be used to supplement feed for pregnant cows and in the fattening process before the cattle went to market.
"If you can make beer from it, you don't get anything better than that," he said referring to the quality of the by-product.
"It's very forward-thinking from Laurence and we were just lucky enough to have a meeting of the minds and implement this agreement."
Mr Kain said the transfer of hops and yeast to a farm was an unprecedented step for a craft brewery of Capital's size.
"Other brewers send their grain to cattle feed, but for a craft brewery this is a relatively novel approach," he said.
So, remember the cows when you next enjoy an ale from the Fyshwick brewery.
