We’ve noted before that Cincinnati’s MadTree Brewing Co. is a business that gives a fuck. Now, it’s earned the ultimate recognition of a company that aggressively balances both purpose and profit. MadTree Brewing Co. recently achieved a huge milestone by becoming a certified B Corporation, joining a select group of breweries in the United States that have earned this prestigious recognition. This certification marks a culmination of MadTree’s longstanding commitment to purpose-driven business practices, underlining its dedication to not just brewing quality beer but also making a positive impact on the community and the environment.
MadTree was founded in 2013 and since its inception, the company has been focused on crafting not only great beer but also on building something larger than the product itself. This indie Cincy brand has been deeply invested in both creating meaningful connections within communities (like funding scholarships for diversity) and protecting nature (like joining the 1% for the Planet initiative, pledging to donate 1% of sales to non-profits focused on environmental sustainability). Let’s detail some of the things that make MadTree Brewing Co. so great — most of which you can find in this B Corp Impact Report.
A very high performance on the B Impact assessment
In the B Impact assessment, MadTree Brewing scored an impressive 83.5, significantly higher than the median score of 50.9 for ordinary businesses who complete the assessment. This score reflects the company’s strong performance across several key areas ranging from governance and workers to community and customers.
Alcove Kitchen + Bar gets LEED Gold Certification
Last year, MadTree’s Alcove location achieved LEED Gold Certification in Cincinnati’s historic Over-The-Rhine — only one of four restaurants in the OTR/Pendleton area with this certification. LEED is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability that provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings. From a lush and expansive living wall with over 2,000 plants, to a Pollinator Garden with 1% For the Planet partner Rothenberg Rooftop Garden, the space is as beautiful as it is sustainable.
100% solar and wind powered and 100% compostable
MadTree Brewing Co. has been 100 percent wind powered since July 2021. This year, Alcove and its 1.0 facility became solar powered thanks to the City of Cincinnati. MadTree’s Oakley location remains wind powered with the help of Energy Harbor. Along with its Catch-a-Fire food partner, MadTree only uses compostable flatware, plates and napkins when not using non-disposable plates and utensils. That added up to 96,971 lbs of waste diverted from the landfill in 2022 compared to 78,087 lbs in 2021. That increase comes from adding Alcove to its portfolio. All in all, over 309,075 lbs of waste has been diverted since 2018. Ensue slow clap.
100% of MadTree’s spent grain is repurposed
MadTree is committed to keeping 100 percent of its spent grain out of the landfill and into the bellies of happy local livestock. The Cincy craft brewery has donated 6,886 tons of spent grain to Reinhardt Beef Farm since 2016. MadTree repurposed 1,827,632 lbs in 2022, 2 million lbs in 2021 and almost 14 million lbs since 2016. That’s a lot of pounds.
Over $30,000 in carbon offsets
There were 425 events at MadTree’s Oakley and Alcove locations last year, and every event (personal, wedding, corporate) included an optional carbon offset donation. Thanks to the generosity of many, MadTree and friends were able to secure $33,421 to invest back into its community through planting trees. 100 percent of offset dollars go to Cincinnati Parks Foundation to plant trees locally. This year, MadTree will focus on planting in Roselawn and Bond Hill — participating in the Climate Safe Neighborhoods program with Groundwork ORV, Cincinnati Parks Foundation and Cincinnati Parks.
More than $570,000 in donations
MadTree Co. has announced it is committed to donating $5 million of philanthropic impact by 2030. After three years of investing, the company said it’s 11 percent of the way there — investing more than $570,000 — which is an enormous number. A large percentage of how MadTree focuses those dollars is through its philanthropic giving to the 1% for the Planet nonprofit network locally. MadTree noted it’s donated $242,700 to local nonprofits.
Diversity and fair pay
MadTree Brewing Co. is evolving to represent a more diverse company. In 2021, MadTree’s staff was 40 percent female identifying along with 5 percent people of color. In 2022, MadTree’s staff had grown to include 43.8 percent female identifying and 16.5 percent people of color. Annually, the brewery analyzes pay equity based on gender identity. MadTree also signed the Pay Equity Commitment developed by the Hamilton County Commission on Women + Girls. Pay Equity in 2022 for MadTree had a $1.00 : $0.98 female : male ratio. MadTree has a FIE (Female Identifying Employee) group at the company, created for FIEs to connect and grow within its company and the brewing community. The brewery is also a partner with the Hamilton County Commission on Women + Girls and has recently added free feminine hygiene resources in both of its locations.
International Women’s Day
In collaboration with the Pink Boots Society, every International Women’s Day MadTree creates a beer that pays homage to an incredible woman who inspired the staff. To date, the craft brewery has celebrated Annie Oakley, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Malala and this year Katherine Johnson, celebrated mathematician. Katherine was an Imperial Juicy IPA featuring Apollo, Comet and Strata hops and a yeast called Cosmic Punch. This 10.1 percent ABV beer honored her 101 years of age. The company’s annual IWD beer is created, brewed, cellared, packaged and designed by the women of MadTree.
Big congrats to MadTree Brewing
MadTree Brewing’s certification as a B Corporation is a testament to its dedication to being more than just a brewery, but a business that actively seeks to be a force for good, both in its local community and beyond. This achievement sets them apart in Ohio and places them in the ranks of the few breweries nationwide that have been recognized for their comprehensive commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The B Corp certification doesn’t stop at the assessment. It encourages businesses to continually evolve operations through benchmarking, goal setting and improvement, so we’ll keep you updated on what MadTree Brewing does next.
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