A San Francisco beer experiment uses recycled wastewater as its main ingredient
In the United States, a novel craft beer project demonstrates how treated wastewater can become part of the brewing process. What began as a demonstration of resource reuse turned into a public showcase, highlighting the potential of water that was once viewed as waste to be recovered and repurposed.
Epic Cleantec, a U.S. enterprise focused on water purification, collaborated with a local brewing partner to create a beer made from purified wastewater. The project mirrors the German-style craft beer ethos by centering recycled water as a core element in the brew.
The beer, named to reflect its experimental nature, is produced using water recovered from showers, laundry facilities, and sinks. The venture is set inside a forty-story building in San Francisco called Fifteen Fifty, where systems were installed to collect, purify, and reuse water across multiple building operations.
In this context, the project demonstrates a broader city initiative: San Francisco has built a reputation for environmentally conscious regulations and actively encourages water reuse in urban developments. The goal is to push the conversation on how water can be reimagined beyond traditional gray-water uses such as toilet flushing or landscape irrigation.
Aaron Tartakovsky, co-founder and chief executive of Epic Cleantec, notes that the aim is to reveal untapped potential in water reuse. The company collaborates with Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company to explore how a beer can embody this concept while serving as a showpiece for visitors and industry stakeholders alike.
A rigorous filtering procedure
The process begins with storing recycled water in a pre-filtration and balancing tank to regulate flow and minimize the scale of downstream systems. It then undergoes biological purification to reduce contaminants and is finally filtered through a membrane with a nominal pore size of 0.04 microns. The water is disinfected through multiple ultraviolet and chlorine stages to ensure it is safe for non-potable uses.
Although the beer itself is not sold commercially, current regulations and distribution channels limit its availability to special events. Recent gatherings, including a high-profile international conference in New York, have hosted discussions on water sustainability, with the beer serving as a tangible, eye-catching demonstration of reuse. The founders describe the product as a physical embodiment of the untapped potential in water reuse.
“To engage people, to excite them about what water reuse can become, and to showcase the untapped potential,” explains Tartakovsky.
Taste: nothing to envy other beers
Those concerned about safety can take comfort in the rigorous testing that accompanies the project. Company leadership emphasizes that the process prioritizes safety and stability, validating that the concept can meet strict quality standards. In this sense, the product is presented as a demonstration rather than a traditional consumer beer, with safety assurances grounded in comprehensive testing.
People at demonstrations have been photographed enjoying the beverage as part of the experience, underscoring the educational intent behind the project. The creators contend that the eventual commercialization of the beer would be a key marker of the idea’s success, distinguishing it from standard brewing methods. Skepticism at the outset has often given way to curiosity and enthusiasm once people sample what is being explored.
There is a sense that this initiative represents more than novelty; it aims to spark meaningful dialogue about how cities can rethink water reuse in everyday life and industry.
For those seeking further information about the environmental impact and the regulatory context, the initiative invites ongoing discussion and collaboration among practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
As with any experimental endeavor, the project continues to evolve as new data and experiences inform its path forward. The broader takeaway is a clear demonstration that water reuse can be a constructive, scalable element of urban sustainability efforts.