Sustainability in the Westland
Sustainability in Westland: Westland beer brewed with Westland nitrogen
Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand in Westland. This is proven by the cooperation between Westlandse Bierbrouwerij ZWOL and Presscon, where Westland beer and advanced nitrogen technology from the region come together.
Westlandse Bierbrouwerij ZWOL, founded by Ad Zwinkels and Marty Olsthoorn, brews traditional beer styles with their own twist. Their Westland roots are clearly recognizable in the names of their beers, such as “Barre Mannen,” “Afterbakkie” and “Zuipschuit,” all of which refer to well-known Westland expressions.
But it’s not just the names and recipes – the brewing process itself has also become a model of Westland innovation. The brewery uses a nitrogen generator from Presscon, located in Honselersdijk. This generator sustainably extracts nitrogen from the ambient air. Nitrogen plays an important role in the brewing process: it prevents oxidation, protects the taste and extends the shelf life of the beer.
“We proudly brew Westland beer, and how nice is it that we can do that with Westland nitrogen? A true collaboration from the region, with a sustainable result in every glass!” says Ad Zwinkels, head brewer at ZWOL. The ZWOL Plukkie Al spring beer, recently launched with a new recipe, is the first beer to use this Westland technology. “You don’t taste it,” admits Zwinkels honestly, “but it does make our beer even more Westlandish.”
More and more breweries are switching to nitrogen as a sustainable alternative to CO₂, traditionally used in brewing, aging and transporting beer. Where CO₂ must be produced, stored and transported, nitrogen can be easily extracted from the air on site. This reduces the brewery’s CO₂ emissions and contributes to a more sustainable brewing process. In addition, nitrogen provides more control and stability during brewing, which improves beer quality.
“With nitrogen from the air instead of CO₂ we make the brewing process more sustainable and stable. Nice to see innovation and tradition come together like this in a delicious beer!” says Swen de Cuijper, account manager at Presscon. “Cheers to Westland beer with Westland nitrogen!”
