Minister Pippa Hackett applauds sustainability at Ahascragh Distillery
Minister of State, Pippa Hackett TD with Gareth and Michelle McAllister of Ahascragh Distillery (Photo by XPOSURE.ie)
Ahascragh Distillery Gareth welcomed Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, along with representatives from the Irish Whiskey Association to its premises in Co. Galway.
Ahascragh Distillery is a producer of premium spirits and is Ireland’s first zero energy emissions distillery.
The visit provided the opportunity to discuss the future of sustainable practices in the distilling industry and to demonstrate Ahascragh Distillery’s leadership in this area.
Minister Hackett said: “Ahascragh Distillery is a great example of some of the excellent work being done in the Irish whiskey sector to reduce emissions, and I really commend the leadership they’re showing in working closely with the rest of the sector to share their very positive experience of embracing renewable energy at scale.”
The system reaches temperatures above 115° – which is a first in Ireland and the UK. This allows the distillery to achieve a saving of 706 tonnes of CO2 per year with a 40% reduction in cost over an expected lifetime of 20 years.
Water input and output is closely monitored in the distillery, utilising two on-site wells to provide consistent water supply. This system not only measures water usage but also minimises it through automation. Waste reduction measures are also in place including delivering spent grain to local farms as livestock feed.
Eoin Ó Catháin, director, Irish Whiskey Association, said: “ As a relatively new business, their achievements to date are certainly impressive and we are proud to support and showcase their efforts.”
