Democratic Convention Cars Fueled By Beer
Aug 26 2008 by Emily Hansen
8/26/08
Coors Makes Ethanol From Its Waste Beer
The Democrats and Coors Brewing are doing their part for the environment by fueling the Democratic National Convention’s fleet of cars with beer-based ethanol. (I don’t know if you’ve heard about this little political event in Denver this week.) Coors makes ethanol from beer waste at its Golden, Colo., brewery and is donating the ethanol for use in the DNC’s GM flex-fuel cars.
When I think about ethanol in the U.S., I think about corn. So, I was surprised to learn that Coors has been converting its beer waste into ethanol since 1996. Basically any beer that’s spilled during packaging or is below standards is recaptured for conversion to ethanol. Coors currently produces about 3 million gallons of ethanol per year and has reduced its vehicle emissions of volatile organic compounds by about 70 tons per year, according to Molson Coors Brewing Co., Coors’ parent company.
So this begs the question: If bio-diesel made from fast-food restaurants’ waste oil smells like french fries, does ethanol made from beer smell like a bar? I’m sure that’s not the case, but it’s funny to imagine that a bunch of Coors Light can be converted into fuel. In my experience, beer produces about enough energy for a long nap. I’m also impressed by the green factors at work here. It’s innovative ideas like this that are a bright spot for our children’s future. Kudos goes to Molson Coors, GM and the Democratic National Convention organizers for showcasing this interesting fuel alternative.
User Comments
Forget the bar, does ethanol made from beer smell like pee?
Someone had to say it.
so many Coors Light jokes to make here I don’t know where to start…