By David Hewitt
The organic food, beverages, and green living in general movement is reaching all sectors of the economy. Retailers and advertisers are aware that people are becoming more environmentally conscious, and are willing to invest in the future by purchasing organic products. Even the alcohol, beer, and wine industry are now marketing “green alcoholic drinks”, albeit still in somewhat limited quantities and selections. But, as is usually the case with any new innovation, product line, and supply and demand variables, the progress towards green “sustainable” alcoholic beverages is beginning! Any start towards organic products is better than no start at all.
For a food product to be considered truly “organic”, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has specific standards that the product must meet. The food must be free of pesticides, herbicides, industrial solvents and chemicals, insecticides, fertilizers, and so on. The organic certification process takes place at all stages of food production. Any food considered “100% organic” then receives a USDA Certified Organic Seal. The production of organic ALCOHOL is somewhat different from food production, as will be outlined.
The U.S. Government agency responsible for certifying organic alcohol is the TTB.gov, or Alcohol, Tobacco, Trade and Tax Bureau, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The National Organic Program, part of the USDA, created the specific regulations regarding the production, handling, processing, labeling, and marketing of all organically produced products. The TTB works closely with the USDA to make sure all the alcoholic beverage producers’ claims of “organic” meet the specified criteria. The four basic categories for organic alcohol beverages are; “100% Organic”= All organic ingredients; “Organic”= 95% organic ingredients; “Made with Organic Ingredients”=70% organic ingredients, and may contain chemically added sulfites; an “Ingredients Statement” which will list specified organic ingredients. Look on the alcoholic beverage label for “Certified organic by…”, but NOT the USDA Organic seal found on food products.
There are many different organic alcoholic beverages to choose from, especially among the micro-breweries. Try searching for organic beverages on general green living websites, such as www.greenamerica.org. When you go into your local tavern or store, ask the manager about organic beers from Butte Creek, in Montana; Natureland by Pacific Western Breweries; and Golden Promise and EcoWarrior from England. You can search BeerTown.org for a local micro-brew producer; Wolaver’s markets three organic beers; Dogfish Head Brewing Co.; Frey Vineyards, in Redwood Valley, CA. are organic wine makers; other wine and fine spirit producers are Chartrand Imports, Organic Vintages, and Silver Thread Vineyard.
Even the hotels are getting requests for organic spirits. Marriott International has some 300 full service hotels that have a beverage program. Their organic alcoholic beverage program includes (or will include in the future) micro-distilled spirits, vodka (Tru Organic Vodka), gin, tequila, rum, Scotch whiskey, and cordials. Some categories are still waiting for the introduction of organic alcohol, such as bourbon and single malt Scotch. Can’t find what you want? Then try making your own! It is safe, legal, and dramatically reduces costs. Home beer- and wine-making kits are widely available, even in the organic category, and you will be well on you way to doing your part in building a sustainable-living, eco-friendly planet for us ALL to live on!
The organic food, beverages, and green living in general movement is reaching all sectors of the economy. Retailers and advertisers are aware that people are becoming more environmentally conscious, and are willing to invest in the future by purchasing organic products. Even the alcohol, beer, and wine industry are now marketing “green alcoholic drinks”, albeit still in somewhat limited quantities and selections. But, as is usually the case with any new innovation, product line, and supply and demand variables, the progress towards green “sustainable” alcoholic beverages is beginning! Any start towards organic products is better than no start at all.
For a food product to be considered truly “organic”, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has specific standards that the product must meet. The food must be free of pesticides, herbicides, industrial solvents and chemicals, insecticides, fertilizers, and so on. The organic certification process takes place at all stages of food production. Any food considered “100% organic” then receives a USDA Certified Organic Seal. The production of organic ALCOHOL is somewhat different from food production, as will be outlined.
The U.S. Government agency responsible for certifying organic alcohol is the TTB.gov, or Alcohol, Tobacco, Trade and Tax Bureau, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The National Organic Program, part of the USDA, created the specific regulations regarding the production, handling, processing, labeling, and marketing of all organically produced products. The TTB works closely with the USDA to make sure all the alcoholic beverage producers’ claims of “organic” meet the specified criteria. The four basic categories for organic alcohol beverages are; “100% Organic”= All organic ingredients; “Organic”= 95% organic ingredients; “Made with Organic Ingredients”=70% organic ingredients, and may contain chemically added sulfites; an “Ingredients Statement” which will list specified organic ingredients. Look on the alcoholic beverage label for “Certified organic by…”, but NOT the USDA Organic seal found on food products.
There are many different organic alcoholic beverages to choose from, especially among the micro-breweries. Try searching for organic beverages on general green living websites, such as www.greenamerica.org. When you go into your local tavern or store, ask the manager about organic beers from Butte Creek, in Montana; Natureland by Pacific Western Breweries; and Golden Promise and EcoWarrior from England. You can search BeerTown.org for a local micro-brew producer; Wolaver’s markets three organic beers; Dogfish Head Brewing Co.; Frey Vineyards, in Redwood Valley, CA. are organic wine makers; other wine and fine spirit producers are Chartrand Imports, Organic Vintages, and Silver Thread Vineyard.
Even the hotels are getting requests for organic spirits. Marriott International has some 300 full service hotels that have a beverage program. Their organic alcoholic beverage program includes (or will include in the future) micro-distilled spirits, vodka (Tru Organic Vodka), gin, tequila, rum, Scotch whiskey, and cordials. Some categories are still waiting for the introduction of organic alcohol, such as bourbon and single malt Scotch. Can’t find what you want? Then try making your own! It is safe, legal, and dramatically reduces costs. Home beer- and wine-making kits are widely available, even in the organic category, and you will be well on you way to doing your part in building a sustainable-living, eco-friendly planet for us ALL to live on!
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