Sustainability at The Foundry
At Canterbury Brewers & Distillers, sustainability isn't a marketing exercise—it's simply part of how we think. We're always looking for better ways to make use of everything we create, from the grain in our mash tun to the historic building we call home. It's a journey of continual improvement, where small everyday decisions sit alongside ambitious long-term projects.
Rooted in Kent
We're proud to champion local wherever we can. Our beers are brewed using English brewer's malt grown in the South of England, while our wild yeast is cultivated from the grounds of St Augustine's Abbey—a living connection to Canterbury's brewing heritage. Local botanicals, seasonal ingredients and Kent's famous green hops help give our beers and spirits a true sense of place.
A Building with a Past
The Foundry occupies a beautifully restored Victorian industrial foundry that once produced cast metalwork shipped across the world. By giving this remarkable building a new purpose, we've preserved an important part of Canterbury's industrial heritage while avoiding the environmental impact of a new build. It's a setting full of character that reflects our belief in making the most of what already exists-and it gives our brewery and distillery a character no new build could replicate.
Where Others See By-Products, We See Value
One of our most exciting sustainability projects is our luxury mushroom-growing initiative. What began as a small experiment at The Foundry has now grown into a dedicated operation at our nearby farm. Using spent grain from our whisky production, together with reclaimed water and captured carbon dioxide from our distilling process, we're creating ideal growing conditions for premium gourmet mushrooms.
Many of these mushrooms make their way back to The Foundry kitchen, demonstrating how innovative thinking can transform brewing and distilling by-products into something delicious and valuable. It's just one example of our commitment to creating a more circular way of working.
Recovering Energy
Our heat reclamation system captures heat generated during the brewing and distilling process and puts it back to work. Rather than allowing that energy to escape, it's reused to help heat parts of our brewpub and provide hot liquor for future brews. By recovering and reusing energy that would otherwise be lost, we've significantly reduced both our energy consumption and carbon footprint while creating a more efficient brewing process.
Brewing with Purpose
We brew and distil in small batches by design. Producing smaller quantities allows us to maintain exceptional quality while making more efficient use of ingredients, energy and resources. Every beer, spirit and bottle we produce reflects careful craftsmanship rather than mass production.
Always Looking Ahead
Sustainability isn't a destination—it's a mindset. Whether it's improving packaging, increasing energy efficiency, developing new circular projects or working with local partners, we're always asking the same question:
How can we make better use of everything we create?
We're continually exploring new ways to recover value from our brewing and distilling processes. From heat and water to grain and carbon dioxide, we're excited about what comes next as we continue building a more sustainable future for Canterbury Brewers & Distillers.
