TOAST ALE – IT’S EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN, OR THE BOTTLE
Toast Ale is a beer brewed from surplus fresh bread. They are based in London and make great tasting beer from a food product that would otherwise go to waste. We chatted with Michael Lawrence to find out more about Toast and how beer is helping to save the planet …
What inspired the creation of Toast Ale?
Creating beer from bread has been around for thousands of years, but it was in 2015 that Tristram Stuart, our Toastmaster, first came across this idea at the Brussels Beer Project, Belgium. Since then, we’ve been rediscovering an old tradition – and giving it a modern twist to help fight food waste and inspire action to solve the climate crisis.
How is Toast making a difference?
Food production is responsible for 80% of deforestation, 70% of freshwater use, 30% of greenhouse gas emissions and is the largest contributor to soil erosion and biodiversity loss. Yet one-third of food goes to waste. We’re here to change that.
We directly reduce the emissions of the food industry by using unused fresh bread in our brewing process. This prevents bread from being wasted and reduces the demand for barley (and associated land and water requirements, and carbon emissions). We also collaborate with breweries all over the world, leading a movement for a more circular economy.
The problems of food waste are more complex than just saving bread, so we donate all our profits (or 1% of revenue – whichever is higher) to charities that are fixing the food system. And we use our voice to educate and inspire. We’re uniquely placed as a product that brings people together, and everything we do is an invite into the sustainability conversation.
In 2018, we became the first UK brewery to certify as a B Corp brewery, meaning we meet the highest standards for environmental and social responsibility, accountability and transparency.
How much difference has Toast Ale made since its launch – can you measure it?
Since we started, we’ve rescued over 1.8m slices of bread from going to waste whilst reducing the demands of barley in the brewing process.
Doing so means we’ve been able to reduce emissions, whilst also saving on land and water:
- 42 tCO2e have been avoided – that’s the equivalent to 5,228,821 smartphone charges.
- We’ve reduced water requirements by 238,000 litres of water, enough for a daily shower for the next 14 years.
- We’ve also reclaimed 16.5 hectares of land – enough to feed 46 people for a year on a typical UK diet.
Alongside this impact, we’ve donated over £30,000 to charities fixing the wider food system.
But perhaps most importantly – we’re inspiring a generation of change-makers, inviting people into the sustainability conversations. Over 1.4m pints have been raised to celebrate positive action for the planet and that’s just the start.
How has the COVID-19 lockdown been for Toast ?
It’s safe to say, life is a little different for everyone at the moment.
For most of us, that means being quarantined at home, juggling work and homeschool or looking for new ways to occupy the day and keep everybody safe. Or just finding the motivation to change out of your PJs.
But unfortunately for many, the COVID-19 crisis has brought a challenge to meet the most basic of human needs, like having access to the food to feed families.
We want to make sure we do all we can to help.
We’ve always brewed beer that does the world of good, and right now, we want to make sure it does the most good it possibly can.
Our charity partner Feedback has responded to the COVID-19 crisis by immediately mobilising efforts to feed communities in need of support. Through lightning quick volunteering action, it is working with local groups such as the Alchemic Kitchen in Liverpool, to redirect surplus food to where it’s needed most.
This feeding programme urgently needs financial support to cover the costs of sourcing, cooking and distributing food to those that need it.
That’s why we’re putting the proceeds from every single beer bought from our online shop to feeding local communities and those who need it most.
Since April (and at least until the end of June), we’ve been committing profits from our online shop to support much needed community feeding projects. This will cover the cost of preparing and delivering soup and food supplies to the people that need it most. For every bottle or can of beer you buy, you’ll be helping to provide a meal for someone in need.
1 beer = 1 meal. It’s as simple as that.
Your home is your pub. So whether you’re cracking open a cold Toast to enjoy in the garden, lounge or the bath (a new discovery for us – a surprisingly excellent place to enjoy a beer), or sharing a few cheeky beers over Zoom with friends (did you know we can deliver your order to multiple addresses?), you’ll know the money you’ve spent will be used for good.
If you’d like to stock up on beer and help those in need during these topsy-turvy times, you can grab yourself a case (or even two!) from our online shop today.
Free delivery on all orders.
Where can we buy/find out more in UK?
We are stocked in four major supermarkets around the UK; Tesco, Waitrose, Coop and Ocado. As well as, restaurants, pubs and bars all around the UK (when they re-open). Check out our stockist map to find out where you can raise a Toast to change. ToastAle.com/stockists
Our Meal Deal
Twitter: @ToastAle
Facebook: @toastale
Instagram: toastale
