The byproduct of fermentation when making beer is carbon dioxide (CO2) and that will blow off the fermenter. Typically, it just blows into a bucket and then goes off into the atmosphere. Instead, Russian River now takes that CO2 and collects it. This involves literally taking raw CO2 coming off the fermentation tanks, running it through a cleaning and liquefaction process using three DALUM Senior recovery plants, and sending it a bulk CO2 storage tank.

The recovery of CO2 from the fermenters increased the fermentation pressure, which lead to less foaming and an increase in green beer yields of up to 10%, increasing overall productivity at the Windsor Brewery site.

In the end, Russian River recycles so much of the CO2 from its fermenters that it is now self-sufficient in terms of CO2 needs at both the Windsor and nearby Santa Rosa Brewery sites. This is not only great for the environment - by releasing less CO2 into the air - it also reduces CO2 costs by making Russian River 100% sustainable and capable of efficiently producing more beer.