Meridian Energy : and Garage Project launch Turbine beer to celebrate renewable energy certification

Energy is a vital ingredient in beer - it heats the brewing water, runs the mill, brew house, chilling and pumps and packaging lines. Indeed, a lot of power goes into every pint.

Garage Project's choices around the energy company they partner with and how they generate electricity have never been more important.

In the windiest city in the world, in the shadow of Wellington's iconic Brooklyn turbine, it was a natural choice for Garage Project to partner with Meridian, who only produce electricity from 100% renewable resources, including from the Brooklyn Turbine itself.

Turbine Pale Ale is a fresh spin on a traditional style and a celebration of a new partnership giving Garage Project the power to brew in a more sustainable way. Brewed with a bright golden, juicy malt base, balanced with thirst quenching bitterness and bursting with citrus and tropical hop character.

The collaboration between Garage Project brewery and Meridian, New Zealand's largest renewable electricity generator, marks the first time that a certified renewable energy product has been made available in New Zealand - providing Garage Project with a clear means to recognise and celebrate their preference for renewable electricity generation.

Michael Healy, Chief Marketing Officer of Meridian; 'there has been strong demand for certified renewable energy options for some time. As New Zealand's largest renewable energy generator it is only natural we find ways to make this happen.'

The renewable energy certificate is provided by the NZECS and exists to allow consumers of electricity to purchase certification for the particular type and volume of electricity generation that they value. So whilst Garage Project's brewery isn't directly plugged into the turbine, the electricity they use is matched on an annual basis with 100% renewable energy generated from Meridian's Brooklyn Turbine.

Having an understanding of how electricity is generated allows consumers to consider the environmental impact of electricity generation, enabling them to make an active choice to which generator to partner with.

Garage Project co-founder, Jos Ruffell, says they're proud to be the first to use Meridian's certified renewable energy mark made possible by Meridian's participation in the NZECS.

'I think it's important to set an example and show you can be in business and do your bit for sustainability too. We can brew the beer we love, be sustainable, and at the same time celebrate Wellington, the city we love. Turbine Pale Ale is about all of these things.'