United Kingdom. In 2023, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, in close collaboration with the Archer-Daniel-Midland Company (ADM), contracted 23 UK farmers to grow regeneratively grown barley.
The harvest will be used to brew Carlsberg Danish Pilsner from 2024, and we aim to expand this pilot to source enough regenerative barley to make all our beer under this brand in the UK by 2027. Furthermore, we are committed to make our brews in the UK with 100% regenerative barley by 2031.
- Paul Davies, CEO, Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company
The variety of barley being grown has been developed at the Carlsberg Research Laboratory. It brings brew quality benefits and additional climate benefits by reducing the amount of energy and associated carbon emissions during the brewing process.
With this initiative we're supporting farmers in the transition to regenerative practices, including helping them to measure and track carbon emissions and soil health. Participating farmers also have opportunities to learn from each other, and to promote regenerative and replenishment techniques beyond the core groups.
Within our ZERO Farming Footprint initiative we’re working with farmers and their communities, collaborating with suppliers, investing in research and development while championing the benefits of a regenerative farming approach.
The use of regenerative farming methods will also drive further carbon reductions, as the second largest share of our carbon footprint comes from growing and processing the raw materials used in our beers.
Over the last three years, we have been working with 30 farmers in Laos to trial more sustainable farming methods for growing rice as a raw material for our local brews.
Scientists at the Carlsberg Research Laboratory have developed new types of barley that cut carbon by reducing the amount of energy and synthetic inputs needed for the malting and brewing processes – achieving the desired flavour with less kilning, evaporation and filtration.
The Carlsberg Research Lab has developed a new variety of barley that reduces the amount of energy and synthetic inputs needed for the malting and brewing processes by achieving the desired flavour with less kilning, evaporation and filtration.