Great Lakes Beer, the socially, financially and environmentally friendly beer.

I am no stranger to the Great Lakes. I've been blessed to live in the mitten state for more than two decades (Yes, I use my hand as a map when trying to explain where I live to foreigners). I've spent summers swimming in the lakes and winters skating on them. And springs and falls I've spent drinking them....errr, allow me to explain.

Beer is made from four main ingredients: hops, malt, yeast and water. The majority of it being water--90%-ish. Now picture the Great Lakes, the largest bodies of freshwater on Earth ...there's the potential to make a lot of beer. And one of our favorite Midwestern brands does just that: Great Lakes Brewing Company takes all of its beer water from the fourth largest lake, Lake Erie. And while this carefully crafted beer is ridiculously delicious and sold in all the local bars and party stores, the company is well-liked because of its charisma.

"Great Lakes Brewing Company is an environmentally and socially conscious brewer of award-winning, all natural beer," as it is written on its Facebook Fan page, and as most who know it would agree. The company consisting of both a brewery and a restaurant was started by the Conway brothers. Located on Market Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio, it is focused on being financially, socially and environmentally responsible. Its "ultimate goal is to mimic nature, where 100% of resources are used in closed-loop ecosystems," as it is written on its site. The final goal is to one day have ZERO waste. For now though, Great Lakes Brewing Company has implemented many "zero waste initiatives" including growing its own herbs and vegetables and fertilizing them with compost created from the restaurant/brewery's waste; taking grains from the beer brewing to make bread and pretzels; using extra beer as an ingredient in some of the dishes (sometimes even chocolate chunk ice cream, mmmm); and turning restaurant-used vegetable oil into fuel for its delivery truck named the "The Fatty Wagon." Even its menus, cardboard packaging, napkins and other various paper products are made from recycled stuff. Owner Daniel Conway states, "In the process of seeking ways to make our operations more environmentally friendly, we've been able to cut operating costs at the same time. It's simply a matter of taking the time and making the commitment up front to explore the technology that's out there, and find a way to do it that makes environmental, financial and social sense." Check out the other green projects the company has undertaken here.

Great Lakes Brewing Company has got such an awesome thing going on. A lot of companies could take a tip or two. It's more than just being sustainable; it's about the people, the persona and the spirit. And Great Lakes Beer Company is totally rocking it out. If you're in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wisconsin or my beautiful home state of Michigan (and you're of age) you'll have to pick up a bottle or two to try it out. And if you're not, you'll have to add it to your to do list. In the meantime, you can find the Great Lakes Brewing Company on Facebook or follow it on Twitter for the latest scoop.

By Gawky Green of Two Girls Go Green

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