Local Guernsey business Second Meridian Brew Co. – also known as 2M – has started brewing beer using solar power.
The first net-zero beers will launch in Herm one week after World Earth Day this month.
2M was established in 2018 by friends Sam Hamperl, Joe Baines, Matt Ashworth and Will Steele-Moore. The group started brewing beer as a hobby, which they turned into a successful business outside of their full-time employment in 2022. Their beers are available at Fat Rascal and Good Rebel and are featured at the Herm Beer and Cider festival.
As of 19th March 2023, sixteen 450-watt solar panels were installed to run the brewery. At maximum capacity, the panels can generate 7.4kwh of energy. Eight panels are fitted to the West and eight to the East for maximum efficiency during daylight hours. On a clear, sunny day, the panels can generate up to 6kwh of power.
2M do not brew every day, meaning most of the power generated by the panels is fed directly back to the island’s grid. This offsets days where the group are brewing and use more than the power generated by the panels on the same day, resulting in a net-zero carbon footprint.
Using renewable energy was always a top priority for the group of friends. They opted for solar power as it takes more energy during the summer months to ‘cold crash’ the tanks and keep the beers cool, compared to in winter.
2M’s first net-zero beers will be called ‘Drip’ and ‘Ripples’ and will be showcased at the Herm festival on 29 April, one week after World Earth Day on 22 April.
Second Meridian Brew Co. co-founder, Sam Hamperl, said: “Turning our hobby into a business as friends has been incredibly hard work, but also hugely rewarding and it gives us the freedom to do what is important to us. Using renewable energy was always top of our list; brewing beer will mean nothing without a healthy planet to drink it on.
“We would like to see every business in Guernsey across any industry look at how they could be using renewable energy.
“Whether it be buying local produce, or using companies that ensure fairtrade practices or utilise renewable energy, consumers have a lot of power in their choices. We hope anyone enjoying our beer will also feel pleased that they are helping to support the environment.”
