Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Cold Town, we believe great beer should have a great impact — not just on the people who enjoy it, but on the planet as well. We’re committed to making our brewing process as sustainable as possible, always looking for ways to reduce our footprint while delivering top-quality beer.

Sourcing & Brewing Responsibly

• Supporting Local: Our malt is sourced from a single supplier in Scotland, ensuring high quality while supporting local businesses and reducing transport emissions.
• Vegetarian & Vegan Friendly: All our beers are vegetarian, and most are vegan, as we avoid using isinglass-derived finings. Check product details for specifics.
• Pure Ingredients: We never use artificial colour additives and carefully select ingredients to minimise our impact on local ecosystems and wildlife.

Sustainable Brewing Practices

• Zero Waste Grain: The spent grain from brewing is rich in nutrients, particularly nitrogen, making it an excellent fertiliser. Instead of discarding it, we pass it on to a local farmer to support sustainable agriculture and reduce waste.
• Eco-Conscious Location: Our brewery operates in a repurposed brownfield site, avoiding unnecessary land development and creating jobs in the heart of the city.
• Low-Impact Travel: More than 80% of our team cycle, walk, or use public transport to get to work, cutting down on emissions.
• Efficient Deliveries: We prioritise local distribution, using our Cold Town van to reduce lorry traffic and optimise delivery routes to lower emissions.
• Water Conservation: Our brewing process is designed to be as water-efficient as possible, helping us reduce overall consumption.

Recycling & Packaging

• Recycling Where We Can: We continuously look for ways to reduce waste by recycling materials wherever possible.
• Aluminium Over Glass: We choose cans over bottles because they’re lighter to transport, easier to recycle, and help reduce overall carbon emissions.
• Minimising Plastic: We actively work to reduce plastic use and are striving to eliminate it wherever possible.
• Malt Bag Recycling: We have recently introduced a recycling programme for our malt bags, ensuring that more of our brewing materials are disposed of responsibly and reducing unnecessary waste.

Giving Back to the Community

• Local Partnerships: We collaborate with small businesses, believing great beer is best when shared with a strong community.
• Eric Liddell Centre: We’ve supported the Eric Liddell Centre alongside McLarens on the Corner, helping provide essential resources for individuals affected by dementia, disabilities, and mental health challenges.
• Doddie Beir & My Name’5 Doddie Foundation: Our partnership with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation is at the heart of our commitment to making a difference. We brew Doddie Beir to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) research, honouring the legacy of Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir. With every pint of Doddie Beir poured, we contribute to vital research and support services for those affected by MND, helping to drive forward the search for a cure. We pledge at least £11,500 annually to the foundation, ensuring continued support for their important work.
• Supporting Students: During the pandemic, we donated over 3,000 cans of beer to students in lockdown at Heriot-Watt and Queen Margaret Universities, hoping to bring them a little comfort in tough times.
• Heriot Watt Brewing School Support: Over the years, we have employed several Heriot-Watt brewing students and graduates within our team, nurturing talent. Heriot Watt is one of the UK’S leading brewery .schools and we are delighted to work with them on an ongoing basis.
• Women in Beer: Cold Town Brewery proudly supported the Women in Beer sponsorship, recognizing the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion within the beer industry. By providing this sponsorship, Cold Town aimed to uplift and celebrate the incredible women making waves in brewing and beer culture. The initiative highlighted the efforts of women in all areas of the industry, from brewing and innovation to business leadership, fostering an environment of equality and support.