Craft Brewers Explore Water and Energy Savings at Conference in Chicago

CHICAGO, July 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Craft brewers will convene in Chicago, IL, October 4-5, 2012 to learn about water quality, water conservation and alternative energy systems, with presentations by industry experts and speakers donating their time and expertise. The fifth Great Lakes Water Conservation Conference will be held at the Goose Island Wrigleyville Pub, 3535 North Clark, Chicago, IL, sponsored by Briggs of Burton, Inc., The Goose Island Beer Company, The Louis Glunz Beer Company, and S. S. Steiner, Inc.

Panels and presentations on Thursday, October 4, will feature installations for conservation and water savings at brewpubs, distributors, and breweries, on-site wastewater treatment, alternative energy systems, sustainability marketing, and more. Tours on Friday, October 5, include a visit to the Plant, a sustainable business incubator on the near west side of Chicago, and the barrel-aging warehouse at Goose Island's Fulton Street Brewery.

Speakers and topics include Randy Barr, wastewater treatment, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI; Larry Bennett, water quality and wells in the Marcellus Shale, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY; Rene and Matt Greff, owners of Arbor Brewing Co., Ann Arbor, and the Corner Brewery, Ypsilanti, MI, on sustainable energy and brewery retrofits; Ian Hughes, best practices for water savings, Goose Island Brewery; Mike Kallenberger, green marketing, Tropos Consulting, Hartland, WI; Matthias Neidhart, sustainable operations in importing and distribution, B. United Importers, Redding, CT; Katie Wallace, sustainability initiatives at New Belgium Brewing, Ft. Collins, CO; and more to be announced.

Why participate? Water policy in the Great Lakes region - the source of 20 percent of the world's supply of available freshwater - is changing rapidly. The Great Lakes Compact requires all water-intensive businesses within the watershed to implement water conservation practices. This conference offers case histories and practical solutions for water and energy efficiency.

About the sponsors:

Briggs of Burton, Inc., Rochester, NY (www.briggsplc.co.uk), are expert process engineers operating in the brewing and distilling sectors since 1732 and responsible for many high profile brewhouses and distilleries across the globe. This includes the most recent large-scale brewhouse in North America, a near doubling of capacity at Diageo's largest grain spirit distillery, and a brewhouse for Carlton United in Brisbane, Australia, setting the international benchmark for water efficiency. Graham Broadhurst, Vice President, Engineering, says, "The correct systems design, implementation and operation are fundamental in reducing water usage and creating opportunities for cost savings."

Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. has 124 years of experience as a family-owned and -operated beer distributor in Chicagoland. Founded in 1888 by Louis Glunz in Chicago, it is among the oldest beer distributors in the United States. The company is owned by president Jack Glunz, grandson of Louis Glunz, with day-to-day operations led by five of his seven children as members of the fourth generation. As an innovator and trendsetter, Glunz represents Illinois' largest portfolio of craft, specialty and import beers: 827 brands and 172 breweries worldwide. 

The Goose Island Beer Company opened on Clybourn Avenue on Chicago's near north side in 1988, a time when only a handful of brewpubs existed in the Midwest. Living near Lake Michigan - one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world - founder John Hall decided that Chicago would be the ideal location. By 1995, the brewpub had become so popular that Hall decided to open a larger brewery and bottling plant to keep up with demand. In 1999, Hall opened a second Goose Island Brewpub near Wrigley Field. Today, Goose Island brews an innovative selection of over 50 craft beers. Goose Island Beers are now enjoyed in 36 states and Europe.

S. S. Steiner/Hopsteiner started in 1845 as a small hops dealership and today is one of the largest international hop growing, trading and processing firms. 

Early registration is $175 for Thursday, $225 for the entire conference, until July 31. On August 1, registration is $195 for Thursday's presentations, and $275 for the entire conference. View sample of past presentations, sponsor opportunities, and speaker bios online at http://www.conserve-greatlakes.com. 

For more information, contact organizer Lucy Saunders at [email protected] or via voice message at 800-760-5998.

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SOURCE Great Lakes Water Conservation Conference