I just heard about something wonderful – Organic Beer! I had never even considered it an option.

In fact, even Anheuser-Busch, makers of Budweiser, is testing two ‘organic’ beers in the U.S. market: Wild Hop lager and Stone Mill pale ale. They are using the names Green Valley Brewing Company name on the Wild Hop packaging, and the Crooked Creek Brewing Company on the Stone Mill pale ale.

What exactly is meant by organic beer?
For manufacturers such as Anheuser-Busch, the USDA is requiring at least 95% of the products used be organic. For the portion that is organic, what that means is you are supporting farm systems that don’t use pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, resulting in more natural and fertile soil, which means more species diversity, and often organic farms conserve water and produce fewer greenhouse gases.

So what is in the 5% that is non-organic?
Given that the USDA only requires 95% of the product to be made from organic ingredients, and that organic hops are difficult to come by currently, Anheuser-Busch has determined they can produce beer with non-organic hops and still claim to have USDA certified organic beer.

For those of you unfamiliar with the beer making process, hops are the essence of the beer. They provide the edgy flavour. So, as you can imagine there is some question as to the ‘organicness’ of the beer when one of the main ingredients is non-organic.

Many local microbreweries, however, are using organic hops and market 100% organic beer. Not only do you get the assurance of a truly organic beer from local breweries, you are buying local, cutting down on gas emissions from shipping/transporting beer from the major breweries, and you are supporting the ‘little guy’.

Since the majority of hops grown in the United States are treated with chemicals, making them non-organic, brewers seeking organic hops usually import them, mainly from New Zealand.

Is there a market for organic beer?
North American sales of organic beers grew from $9 million in 2003 to $19 million in 2005, according to the Organic Trade Association.

What other options do you have for organic beer?
Well, you can always make it yourself. If you want to order organic supplies and hops visit the web site for Seven Bridges Cooperative, they do note there is a shortage of organic hops, therefore they are limiting sales.

There are actually quite a few organic beer options such as:
-Prince of Wales' Duchy Originals Organic Amber
-Pinkus Organic Hefe-Weizen
-Samuel Smith’s Organically Produced Lager
-NatureLand Organic Beer is Canada’s first organic beer

You can also visit The Beer Review Journal and read what beer tasters are saying about various organic beers. Happy St. Patty’s Day and let me know if you happen to try any ‘green’ ;) beer!