And in terms of the environmental impact, any weight reduction in the storage vessel makes a huge impact when you factor them being shipped around the country and the world. Those numbers add up quick and so does the fuel to transport them.

I think the can could be more environmentally friendly than the bottle, especially if they were made from recycled aluminum, they must have a lower transportation cost. But I think re-using your purchased bottles for your own homebrew might be the best re-use recycle low impact you can do as a beer drinker.

Thank you for the clarification about Sugar Hill being a local beer, and I’ll be sure to break out a few at my next party!

First thank you for buying Sugar Hill beer. I understand your disappointment. As a homebrewer, I started brewing our beer in Harlem and poured everything I own literally into trying to open a brewery in Harlem (that’s another story). The beer you tasted is not only based on my original homebrew recipe, it is often brewed by me when I can afford to drive up to Saratoga Springs to cook with all of our favorite ingredients.
As you may now realize, many local beers (I don’t need to name them here, I think you have already) are contract brewed. I know many great brewers that simply cannot afford the overhead of a brewery. But a lot more than beer is considered “local” but also contract manufacured by the way. So, I guess it’s all spiritual!
AND yes, David, we are in fact working towards brewing in Harlem
on a small scale, so stay tuned. You can see our brewery campaign at kickstarter.com. Thanks much for sharing your thoughts and insight.

Cheers to You!

Celeste
Founder-Brewster