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Bord Bia

Gold Member Case Study - Ballykilcavan Brewing Company

Established in 2016 at Ballykilcavan Farm, Co. Laois, Ballykilcavan Brewing Company has been the Walsh family's ancestral home for 13 generations. Initially focused on tillage with malting barley, the brewery ensures a sustainable future, by embracing innovative practices. Their diverse range of beers, introduced since 2017, is enjoyed nationally and exported to Europe.

Ballykilcavan Brewing Beer Bottles
Gold Member
Ballykilcavan Brewery

Sustainability Achievements

In 2024, Ballykilcavan Brewing Company reduced water intensity, exceeding the target milestone by 8.6%.

  • Target Areas: Raw Materials Certification, Supplier Sustainability Initiatives, Packaging, Energy/Emissions, Waste, Water, Biodiversity, and Community Engagement.
  • Exemplary Targets: Raw Materials Certification, Supplier Sustainability Initiatives, Packaging, Energy/Emissions, Waste, Water, Biodiversity, and Community Engagement.
  • Awarded Gold Membership: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
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Ballykilcavan Brewing Company has demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability through significant improvements in water efficiency. In 2024, the company reduced its water intensity from 8.69 litres/litre in 2023 to 7.79 litres/ litre of beer produced. This performance exceeded the company’s milestone target by 8.6%, highlighting a strong year-on-year reduction.

A key driver of this achievement was the company’s focus on reusing sterilant in its cleaning processes. By implementing a system to recover and reuse sterilising agents, Ballykilcavan Brewing Company was able to reduce its reliance on fresh water during sanitation cycles. This initiative was complemented by a broader effort to reduce cleaning water usage across the facility. Through process adjustments and efficiency improvements, the company achieved a 20% reduction in cleaning water consumption compared to the previous year.

Together, these measures resulted in a 10% overall reduction in water intensity from 2023 to 2024. This not only reflects Ballykilcavan Brewing Company’s commitment to environmental responsibility but also demonstrates the effectiveness of targeted, practical interventions in achieving measurable sustainability outcomes.

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