August 7, 2019
Alegae Bloom Returns: Great Beer Needs Clean Water
Maumee Bay Brewing Company and the Ohio Environmental Council share the goal of solving Lake Erie’s algae crisis.
Together, they are continuing a campaign to raise public awareness around harmful algal blooms and water quality five years after the devastating Toledo Water Crisis that left 400,000 people without water in 2014.
On Friday, August 9, Maumee Bay Brewing Co. will release its green beer called “Creature from the Alegae Bloom” to raise awareness of how annual algal blooms threaten their product and Toledo. Cans of beer, a Sour Double IPA with matcha powder and kiwi to represent the harmful green algae that can contaminate our water, will be available for purchase at the brewery on Friday and distributed throughout Ohio next week. A portion of the profits will be donated to the Ohio Environmental Council for continued advocacy around water quality and fighting pollution that leads to harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie.
“Water is the single most important ingredient in beer,” said Craig Kerr, Brewing Manager at Maumee Bay Brewing Company. “Water quality is important to any brewery and that’s why we’re releasing this green beer to get the word out about protecting the water quality of Lake Erie and the Maumee River.”
“Clean water is essential to the best tasting pint, but it is also critical to public health and the local economy. Clean water ensures this economic success,” said Nick Mandros, Regional Director for the Ohio Environmental Council. “Few industries rely on clean water as much as craft brewers. Hops, grains and malt can be sourced elsewhere, but water is often local.”
Maumee Bay Brewing Company is situated between the Maumee River and the mouth of Swan Creek in downtown Toledo. Each year, thousands of metric tons of phosphorus from agricultural operations and municipal stormwater runoff travel down the Maumee River and into Lake Erie. This phosphorus feeds huge growths of bacteria which result in the growth of harmful algal blooms. Record rainfalls are expected to increase the severity of this year’s bloom by further driving phosphorus into Lake Erie.
In August 2014, a massive harmful algal bloom in Lake Erie contaminated drinking water in the Toledo area, leaving almost a half a million people without clean drinking water for nearly three days. Working to prevent another event like this, the OEC and Toledo area brewers called on state lawmakers to take bold action to restore the health of the lake and ensure safe, clean drinking water for area families.
“No one should have to worry if the water they are drinking is clean and safe, or if their children or loved ones are swimming in toxic waters,” said Mandros. “We must continue to let our lawmakers know that not only is our drinking water at risk, but our beer as well.”