Griffin Claw Brewing installs carbon capture system, will reuse 100,000+ lbs of CO2 waste annually

Griffin Claw Brewing Co., a local microbrewery and community leader has partnered with Earthly Labs, an Austin, Texas-based company to become the first craft brewery in Michigan to purchase their carbon capture technology to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The Earthly Labs plug-and-play carbon capture technology called CiCi, is super cool (our feature on it here) and sized so that craft breweries like Griffin Claw can capture 100,000+ pounds of waste CO2 from the brewing process each year and reuse it to carbonate and package beer.

How it works: Earthly Labs technology allows breweries to supplement CO2 supply by capturing and using their own natural CO2 which has fewer hydrocarbons and other impurities. 

“Griffin Claw is deeply committed to community,” said Pat Craddock, CFO at Griffin Claw. “Earthly Labs technology reduces our supply chain risk while reducing our emissions footprint. As a result, we reduce costs, make better beer, and invest in clean air. It’s a no brainer.” 

Why else this matters: The Brewers Association forecasted a CO2 shortage of up to 30% due to the downturn in ethanol production as a result of the global pandemic. Earthly Labs has witnessed the effect in some regions including parts of Michigan which has resulted in CO2 shortages for some breweries, delivery delays and price spikes.

As many breweries in Michigan and throughout the world experience a CO2 shortage due to the pandemic, this technology allows breweries to supplement by using their own.  To celebrate Griffin Claw Brewing will be releasing a specialty beer brewed with recaptured CO2, soon to be available in the Birmingham and Rochester Hills taprooms.  

“This year has shared how connected we are and how resilient we can be in the face of tremendous challenge, “said Earthly Labs CEO Amy George. “We are honored to work with community leaders like Griffin Claw who look for ways to do the right thing at every turn – from making sanitizers for health care workers to supporting veterans to investing in technology to address the climate challenge.”