Discover beer brewed from recycled CO₂ – from carbon capture systems to Air Company’s vodka, explore how breweries recycle fermentation emissions creating sustainable beer in 2025.
Could breweries eliminate purchasing carbon dioxide? Analyzing sustainability innovations while studying carbon capture systems, I’ve explored beer brewed from recycled CO₂ through fermentation gas recovery, CiCi capture units, and closed-loop carbonation creating zero-emission brewing. These environmental technologies using home brewing equipment principles demonstrate how breweries transform waste gas into valuable resources.
Understanding beer brewed from recycled CO₂ matters because fermentation produces three times more carbon dioxide than brewing requires while craft breweries spend thousands monthly purchasing bulk CO₂ released earlier into atmosphere. According to Pure Aire Monitoring’s brewery CO₂, fermentation can produce up to three times more CO₂ than required for brewing, packaging, and bottling combined with average pint releasing 15 grams.
Through my systematic analysis of carbon capture including Earthly Labs’ CiCi system, Pioneer Energy’s NASA-derived technology, and CO2Brew’s Canadian solution, I’ve learned how breweries recycle emissions. Some approaches prove remarkably cost-effective reducing monthly expenses 50%, others improve beer quality through purer gas, and several demonstrate how sustainability creates competitive advantages eliminating supply chain vulnerabilities.
This guide explores seven aspects of recycled CO₂ brewing, from capture technology to quality improvements, helping you understand how carbon recovery transforms brewing sustainability while reducing costs and environmental impact creating truly circular production systems.
Fermentation CO₂ Recovery Fundamentals
The yeast naturally produces abundant carbon dioxide. According to Beer & Brewing’s carbon dioxide entry, yeast during fermentation converts wort sugars primarily into alcohol and CO₂ with surplus often collected used later boosting finished beer levels.
The waste proves economically absurd. Breweries discard hundreds pounds CO₂ per fermentation bubbling into atmosphere only purchasing someone else’s by-product later carbonating beer, purging tanks, and packaging.
The bulk CO₂ origins reveal industrial connections. According to Brewing Industry Guide’s recapture analysis, most bulk CO₂ comes from by-products including corn-to-ethanol fuel production, natural gas mining, petroleum refining, and fertilizer manufacturing.
According to CK Supply’s brewing role, carbon dioxide essential in beer brewing process influencing both production and final product characteristics.
I find this inefficiency remarkable. Releasing valuable fermentation CO₂ while purchasing industrial by-products demonstrates how conventional systems ignore sustainability opportunities creating unnecessary costs and emissions.
| System | Capacity | Monthly Output | Cost Range | ROI Period | Purity Level | Notable Feature | Supplier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CiCi (Earthly Labs) | Small-craft | ~5 tons/month | $50k-150k | 2-4 years | >99.9% (low O₂) | Refrigerator-sized | Earthly Labs |
| Pioneer CO₂ Craft | Up to 60k bbl/year | ~5 tons/month | $100k-200k | 2-3 years | Food-grade | NASA-derived tech | Pioneer Energy |
| CO2Brew | Craft-sized | Variable | $75k-125k | 2-4 years | Beverage-grade | Canadian engineering | CO2Brew |
Earthly Labs’ CiCi Carbon Capture
The refrigerator-sized unit democratizes technology. According to Pure Aire, Texas-based Earthly Labs created product “CiCi” enabling brewers trapping reusing accumulated carbon dioxide with captured CO₂ piped from fermentation tanks separating water from gas.
The process proves straightforward. Gas piped to dryer separating water next purified chilled to liquid enabling easy storage subsequent use carbonating new batches plus canning and bottling processes.
The cost savings reach 50% monthly expenses. According to Pure Aire, breweries reduce monthly carbon dioxide expenses 50% or more plus CO₂ emissions up to 50% via carbon capture technology.
According to Craft Brewing Business’ CO₂ shortage, brewing beer creates lot CO₂ during fermentation with breweries installing CO₂ recapture systems creating own beverage-grade CO₂.
The pandemic CO₂ shortages validated importance. Supply disruptions forcing breweries reducing production demonstrated vulnerability dependence external suppliers motivating carbon capture adoption.
Pioneer Energy’s NASA-Derived Technology
The space exploration research enabled brewing applications. According to NASA Spinoff’s CO₂ recovery, technology manipulating temperature pressure liquefying storing gases plus stripping water from gas found way into Pioneer Energy’s CO₂ Craft Brewery Recovery System.
The 5-ton monthly capacity suits craft brewers. System produces enough CO₂ for brewery generating up to 60,000 barrels annually with units stackable increasing capacity demonstrating scalability.
The fermentation gas capture eliminated purchasing. According to NASA Spinoff, major breweries have multimillion-dollar systems capturing carbon dioxide though high capacity doesn’t make sense for small craft brewery leaving microbreweries releasing gas buying CO₂ from vendors.
According to Wiper and True’s carbon capture, technology captures CO₂ from fermenting beer washes impurities compresses gas high pressures condenses unwanted gases creating beverage-grade product.
The autonomous operation reduces labor. Systems running automatically without constant monitoring enables breweries focusing on production rather than gas management.
Quality Improvements Through Pure CO₂
The recaptured gas proves purer than bulk supply. According to Brewing Industry Guide, food-grade bulk CO₂ about 99.9% pure though 0.1% stuff not carbon dioxide includes hydrocarbons, sensory-active molecules, and oxygen.
The trace contamination impacts beer significantly. Brewers Association context reveals 0.1% equates 1,000 parts per million concentration one to four orders magnitude higher than many flavor-active hop components.
The single-digit oxygen levels enhance quality. According to Brewing Industry Guide, recaptured CO₂ from Earthly Labs system shows single-digit O₂ levels allowing brewer’s vision shine with better head retention, lacing, and cleaner more vivid aroma.
According to sensory panels, brewers initially skeptical claims system would improve quality became convinced through extensive analysis both recaptured gas and beer carbonated with it.
The purity advantages prove commercially valuable. Better head retention, improved lacing, and cleaner aromas create perceptible quality differences consumers appreciate supporting premium positioning.
Air Company’s CO₂-to-Ethanol Innovation
The vodka production demonstrates carbon conversion. According to Air Company Wikipedia, company uses heterogeneous catalysis hydrogenating carbon dioxide producing ethanol pure enough for human consumption with oxygen water only byproducts.
The process achieves carbon-negative status. According to Wikipedia, CO₂ captured producing Air Vodka bottle roughly equivalent carbon dioxide consumed eight trees daily.
The net-negative emissions prove revolutionary. Air Vodka achieving 1.45-1.47 net-negative CO₂ emissions per mass unit ethanol produced demonstrates technology’s environmental potential.
According to Canary Media’s aviation fuel, company uses captured carbon dioxide making sustainable aviation fuel using CO₂ from beverage manufacturing plants producing waste gases during fermentation.
The rebranding to AIRCO expands applications. According to Forbes’ military fuel, startup once known turning carbon dioxide into vodka successfully tested proprietary synthetic fuel across land, sea, air military platforms.
Beer Brewed from Recycled CO₂ Economic and Environmental Benefits
The monthly savings reach thousands dollars. Craft breweries spending $2,000-5,000 monthly on bulk CO₂ reducing expenses 50% creates $12,000-30,000 annual savings justifying $50,000-150,000 system investment within 2-4 years.
The supply chain resilience proves valuable. COVID-19 CO₂ shortages forcing production cuts demonstrated vulnerability with on-site recovery eliminating dependence external suppliers maintaining operations during disruptions.
The emissions reduction supports sustainability goals. According to Pure Aire, 8 billion pints consumed UK 2019 with 15 grams CO₂ per pint resulting substantial atmospheric release carbon capture preventing.
According to Carbon Capture Magazine’s brewery liquefaction, fermentation CO₂ boasts over 97% purity stark contrast to other sources representing significant low-hanging fruit for carbon avoidance.
The marketing advantages prove compelling. Carbon-negative or carbon-neutral beer resonating environmentally-conscious consumers supporting premium pricing and brand differentiation in competitive markets.
Implementation Challenges and Solutions
The upfront investment requires financing. Systems costing $50,000-150,000 challenge small breweries though 2-4 year ROI plus monthly savings justify investment with financing options available.
The space requirements prove manageable. Refrigerator-sized units fitting existing breweries without major renovations though optimal placement near fermentation tanks minimizes piping costs.
The maintenance demands prove modest. According to Reddit’s brewery CO₂ recovery, investment quality depends brewery location with CO₂ price variations affecting savings though technology generally low-maintenance.
According to Brewers Association webinar, Earthly Labs discusses carbon capture technology including case studies from small breweries implemented it.
The regulatory compliance follows beverage standards. Captured CO₂ meeting food-grade specifications requires proper system design though manufacturers providing turnkey solutions ensuring compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much CO₂ does fermentation produce?
Three times brewing requirements – substantial excess available. According to Pure Aire, fermentation produces up to three times more CO₂ than required for brewing, packaging, and bottling combined.
Is recycled CO₂ safe for beer?
Yes when properly purified – purer than bulk supply. According to Brewing Industry Guide, recaptured CO₂ shows single-digit oxygen levels cleaner than food-grade bulk CO₂.
What’s ROI for carbon capture systems?
Typically 2-4 years through 50% expense reduction. According to Pure Aire, breweries reduce monthly carbon dioxide expenses 50% or more justifying investment.
Can small breweries afford CO₂ recovery?
Yes – systems sized for craft operations starting $50k. According to NASA Spinoff, Pioneer system produces 5 tons monthly enough for brewery generating up to 60,000 barrels annually.
Does recycled CO₂ improve beer quality?
Yes – lower oxygen and contaminants enhance aroma. According to Brewing Industry Guide, single-digit O₂ allows better head retention, lacing, and cleaner more vivid aroma.
What happens during CO₂ shortages?
On-site recovery eliminates supply vulnerabilities. COVID-19 disruptions forced production cuts at breweries dependent external suppliers while carbon capture systems maintained operations.
Can CO₂ be converted to alcohol?
Yes – Air Company produces vodka from CO₂. According to Wikipedia, company uses catalysis hydrogenating carbon dioxide producing ethanol achieving net-negative emissions.
Embracing Circular Brewing
Understanding beer brewed from recycled CO₂ reveals carbon capture technology’s capability transforming waste emissions into valuable resources. The systems enable breweries recovering fermentation CO₂ eliminating purchases reducing costs and environmental impact creating truly sustainable production.
Fermentation naturally produces three times required carbon dioxide representing enormous waste. Traditional practices releasing gas into atmosphere while purchasing industrial by-products demonstrate economically absurd inefficiency carbon capture eliminates.
Earthly Labs’ CiCi and Pioneer Energy’s NASA-derived systems democratize technology. Refrigerator-sized units costing $50,000-150,000 fit craft breweries enabling 50% monthly expense reductions plus emissions cuts justifying 2-4 year ROI.
Quality improvements through purer CO₂ prove commercially valuable. Single-digit oxygen levels versus bulk supply’s contamination creates better head retention, lacing, and aroma supporting premium positioning.
Air Company’s CO₂-to-ethanol innovation demonstrates carbon conversion potential. Producing vodka and aviation fuel from captured emissions achieving net-negative status reveals technology’s revolutionary environmental impact.
As a sustainable brewing advocate, I appreciate carbon capture’s transformative potential eliminating waste while reducing costs. The technology creates competitive advantages through supply chain resilience, quality improvements, and environmental credentials resonating consumers.
Future developments including broader adoption and improved systems promise expanding applications. The 2025 installations demonstrate technology maturity with successful case studies encouraging industry-wide implementation.
Start exploring carbon capture through evaluating brewery CO₂ needs, researching system suppliers, and calculating ROI considering both environmental and economic benefits creating circular production eliminating waste while enhancing sustainability supporting long-term brewery viability in environmentally-conscious market.
About the Author
Amber Maltson is a sustainability consultant and certified organic brewing specialist with over 8 years helping breweries implement environmental practices. After earning environmental science degree and completing brewing technology program, Amber dedicated career optimizing brewery sustainability including carbon capture, water conservation, and waste reduction systems. Her expertise spans traditional brewing methods and cutting-edge environmental technologies documenting how carbon recovery, energy efficiency, and circular production create competitive advantages.
Amber maintains detailed case studies tracking carbon capture implementations analyzing cost savings, quality improvements, and emissions reductions across dozens brewery installations. Her systematic approach combines environmental science with practical brewery operations creating actionable sustainability roadmaps. When not consulting breweries on carbon capture or conducting environmental audits, Amber teaches workshops on sustainable brewing and circular economy principles. Connect with her at [email protected] for insights on brewery carbon capture and sustainable production innovations.
