Hepworth Brewery has installed the UK’s first full-scale brewery wastewater-to-energy system, enabling the business to brew beer using renewable power generated entirely from its own effluent. Delivered in partnership with Bristol-based environmental technology company WASE, the installation represents a major advancement in circular brewing and supports Hepworth’s plan to reach 85 percent carbon neutrality by the end of 2025.

This is about more than just beer. With every pint of the Nexus Series, you’re not just tasting flavour; you’re tasting the future of sustainable brewing.”

WASE Co-Founder and CEO, Dr Thomas Fudge, says the collaboration highlights the wider potential for circular food and drink systems. “At a time when climate solutions need to be bold, practical and inspiring, Hepworth Brewery has partnered with us to demonstrate that even a single pint of beer can represent a powerful step toward a more sustainable, circular future.”

Building a circular brewing system

The new electro-methanogenesis system converts brewery wastewater into biogas, clean water and nutrient-rich digestate. Following a six-month onsite pilot, WASE is now installing the full-scale plant at Hepworth’s West Sussex brewery. once operational, it will process 17m³ of wastewater per day, generate around 362MWh of renewable energy annually and cut more than 100 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year. The installation will also eliminate the need for wastewater haulage and return treated water directly to the local environment.

Hepworth has already introduced a range of technologies to reduce energy use and environmental impact, including solar power and the world’s first beer-source heat pump. The new system builds on these efforts by further lowering resource consumption across water, energy and raw materials.

Hepworth & Company Brewers Managing Director, Andy Hepworth, says regional water resilience was a key consideration. “The treated water, instead of being hauled offsite for treatment – driving the equivalent distance of Scotland to South Africa and back in a year – is now safely returned to the local environment.”

He adds that the system strengthens biodiversity in a water-stressed region. “By creating a circular loop returning water back to the local environment we can increase the resilience of local ecosystems, such as an endangered, rare freshwater snail.”

The nutrient-rich digestate produced by the system is also expected to support local farmers by improving soil health, strengthening links between brewing and regenerative agricultural practices.

New renewable beer range

To showcase the circular brewing system’s potential, Hepworth and WASE have launched the Nexus beer series, brewed using renewable energy generated through the wastewater-powered process. The range includes Liquid Asset, a crisp lager; Electric Hop, a vibrant IPA; and Botanic State, a 0.5 percent pale ale, all made with local Bodiam hops and organic barley from Goodwood.

Fudge concluded: “This is about more than just beer. With every pint of the Nexus Series, you’re not just tasting flavour; you’re tasting the future of sustainable brewing.”