Not too long ago, I wrote a post about some of the most eco-friendly breweries in the nation. Now, it looks like we can add another to the list.

Central Waters Brewery in Amherst, Wisc., has been able to double its beer production without spending any more on natural gas after installing a solar water heater, reports Central Wisconsin Hub.

The solar water heating system is projected to meet 18 percent of the brewery’s hot water needs and save $1.4 million over its 30-year life span.

Not only is this great for the environment, but it’s also a great sign that a brewery can make more money and more beer while still remaining green. Some of the other methods for making a brewery more environmentally efficient aren’t exactly the cheapest, and it should be said that Central Waters got the help of a state grant for 25% of the funding, but that Central Waters is actually saving money while making more beer creates quite a precedent about the need and benefit of operating with solar power. Cheers to Central Waters Brewery for doing something that hopefully starts an avalanche of copy-cat procedures.

Environmental Leader — For Brewery, Solar Water Heater Means Twice as Much Beer for Same Energy Cost