OktoberForest in New York
Celebrating the connection between healthy forests, clean water and good beer.
Beer has four main ingredients: water, grain, hops and yeast. While water may seem like beer’s simplest ingredient, there's a lot involved in getting that clean water to breweries, and to our taps. This October in New York and around the globe, we’re celebrating the connections between clean water, great beer and the forests that make it all possible.
Did you know that New York State contains almost one acre of forest for every state resident? 18.7 million acres of forest!
From the Adirondacks and Catskills to the Finger Lakes and Great Lakes, forests help keep our freshwaters clean and plentiful. And all the parts of the forest―from the canopy all the way down to root systems―play a role in protecting our water supply.
The Nature Conservancy protected its first acre of land in New York 65 years ago. We have since helped save 750,000 acres in the Adirondacks, on Long Island, around the Finger Lakes, and in the Catskills. Because of climate change, healthy landscapes are more important than ever—to absorb and store carbon, sustain wildlife, protect communities from flooding, and ensure safe and abundant drinking water for people.
Our thanks to these brewers participating in OktoberForest in New York!
Flying Bison Brewing Company
Buffalo, NY
"Clean, fresh water really is beer’s most important ingredient. Flying Bison Brewing Company is located on Lake Erie and we brew our beer with water from the lake. Clean, plentiful water in Lake Erie depends on healthy surrounding natural areas, such as forests. We depend on strong vibrant forests in Western New York to play a major role in maintaining our fresh water supply. Next time you’re in our taproom enjoying a pint, say thank you to your forests!"
― Dennis Brinkworth, Sales Manager
Genesee Brewing Company
Rochester, NY
"Brewing beer is a natural process that incorporates clean, refreshing water. Nearly every beer on the planet is about 95 percent water. It’s important to our brewery and community to plant trees that help mitigate storm water run-off, which is one of the most significant environmental issues facing our Great Lakes. As a brewery, we work hard to measure and reduce the amount of water we use while also spending time in nature, planting trees, restoring natural habitats, and caring for our waterways by removing litter and waste."
― Mary Beth Popp, Vice President of Corporate Relations, Genesee Brewery parent-company FIFCO USA
Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and Big Slide Brewery & Public House
Lake Placid, NY
"Clean water is vitally important to all breweries; it is the backbone of the entire beer and has a direct effect on all aspects of the finished product. But healthy forests & clean water are especially important to our brewery. Being in the heart of the Adirondack Park, our entire economy thrives from healthy forests.
Our visitors travel from all over the world to experience the Adirondack Park in all its glory, not only in autumn but throughout every season. Here at the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and Big Slide Brewery & Public House, we strive to do our part in protecting our lakes and forests, participating in local events, fundraisers, and shoreline clean up days each year."
― Kevin Litchfield, Director of Brewing Operations
Liquid State Brewing Company
Ithaca, NY
"The main ingredients for beer: clean water, barley and bountiful hops, rely on a strong commitment to sustainable practices in all our operations. As brewers, our decisions ensure a healthy environment and a happy community of beer lovers. All our waste products are either reused, recycled, or treated; our brewhouse is up-cycled, and every decision we make is through a lens of sustainability. Our future relies on it!"
― Jamey Tielens, Co-owner & Brewer
Plant a Billion Trees
The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign is a major forest restoration effort with a goal of planting a billion trees across the planet.
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