The role of brewing in the emerging circular economy: A case study

As the global food system grapples with the challenge of supporting a surging population while mitigating environmental impact, the circular economy concept has emerged as a significant framework for sustainable practices. This model emphasizes the need to redesign systems to eliminate waste, retain materials in use at their highest value, and regenerate natural ecosystems. Central to this discourse is the pressing issue of food waste—a substantial yet often overlooked contributor to carbon emissions.

In the UK alone, over 9.5 million tonnes of food are wasted every year, despite much of it remaining safe and edible at the moment of disposal. Notably, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports that approximately 4.6 million tonnes of that waste is still consumable. As governments in Europe and beyond aim to create more sustainable food systems, businesses like Beyond Belief Brewing Co. are stepping up to lead the charge. By transforming surplus food directly into beer, they are tackling the food waste crisis head-on.

Brewing a Revolution

At the heart of Beyond Belief Brewing Co.’s mission is a patented method for upcycling fresh surplus pasta—a high-carbohydrate product that would ordinarily be discarded—into a vital ingredient for crafting unique and quality beer. This innovative process allows the brewery to substitute 50% of its base malt with this surplus pasta, yielding a product that matches traditional brewing methods in alcohol yield while championing sustainability.

Fresh pasta serves as an attractive feedstock for brewing thanks to its high starch content, which benefits the fermentation process. When incorporated into brewing, the pasteurization of surplus pasta mimics the malting of barley, thus permitting its inclusion at the initial stages of brewing. This seamless integration of surplus food into existing processes is essential for scaling the circular economy; it allows for the utilization of surplus without necessitating substantial changes in infrastructure, which can often hinder efforts for sustainable transitions.

Malted barley typically accounts for approximately 40% of brewing-related carbon emissions; thus, replacing it with alternative carbohydrate sources can greatly reduce the industry’s environmental footprint while actively diverting food from waste streams. The cultivation and malting of barley, which entail heavy resource use, significantly contribute to these emissions. Implementing food surplus systems like those at Beyond Belief Brewing Co. not only serves an economic purpose but also a crucial environmental one.

Transforming a Linear Industry into a Circular One

Historically, the food and drink sector has followed a linear timeline: extract, produce, consume, and dispose. This outdated model is no longer sustainable in a world grappling with resource scarcity and environmental degradation. By redefining food waste under a circular economy framework, Beyond Belief and similar businesses transmute surplus materials from a burden into a valuable resource.

The pasta utilized in brewing remains calorically rich at the time of acquisition. Much of it is often rejected by suppliers due to overproduction or minor imperfections that do not compromise food safety. Instead of contributing to gaseous methane emissions via landfill or processing—as seen in anaerobic digestion—this surplus food can find new life as an essential ingredient in beer.

This methodology exemplifies cascading use; higher-value applications for surplus food are prioritized before exploring lower-value options, thereby maximizing resource utility. Rather than viewing surplus food as an endpoint, Beyond Belief demonstrates that it can spark a new beginning in sustainable practices.

A Broader Policy Context

The UK Government is committed to ambitious targets under initiatives such as the Resources and Waste Strategy and the Courtauld Commitment 2030, which aim to halve food waste by 2030 and promote resource efficiency. Alongside this, the EU’s Circular Economy Package has established similarly bold objectives.

Companies like Beyond Belief Brewing are pivotal in helping the UK meet these goals. However, for such groundbreaking enterprises to flourish, policy frameworks must adapt to support these initiatives more effectively. This includes establishing clear regulations surrounding surplus food use in manufacturing, enhancing food redistribution networks, and incentivizing businesses that adopt circular models.

As it stands, a significant amount of surplus food remains inaccessible due to logistical, legal, or reputational challenges. A cohesive system that can differentiate between genuinely inedible waste and edible surplus is urgently needed to unlock the potential of this valuable resource.

Scaling the Impact

While beer represents just one sector within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, the implications of Beyond Belief’s brewing model extend far beyond. This case study paves the way for diverse possibilities in reusing food surplus—from artisanal bread to spent grains, forgotten fruits to coffee grounds.

Crucially, the design of such systems must prioritize not only technical feasibility but also commercial viability and societal relevance. Integrating these circular processes within existing systems ensures a broader and sustained impact.

In a world that demands better stewardship of resources, the role of brewing in the emerging circular economy demonstrates the vast potential that exists in rethinking our approach to food waste. As more innovators like Beyond Belief Brewing Co. arise, the hope is that they inspire larger systemic changes in both policy and practice, heralding a new era of sustainability across various sectors. The journey toward a truly circular economy requires collaboration, creativity, and commitment. By recognizing the true value of surplus food, we can take meaningful strides toward a more sustainable future.

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