Brews from the Sun competition crowns winner

Update 4/2019: If you’re looking for information on this year’s Brews from the Sun competition, you can find it on our new website brewsfromthesun.org.

Mudshark Brewery of Arizona, has won Solar United Neighbors’ first-ever Brews from the Sun competition with 2,089 votes. Mudshark beat out 40 other solar craft breweries from 26 different states to claim the crown. Legal Remedy Brewing in South Carolina was the first runner up with 1,764 votes. Flathead Lake Brewing Company of Montana was the second runner up with 771 votes. The competition brought solar and beer enthusiasts together to celebrate the hundreds of craft breweries around the country that are using solar energy to power their beer.

“Being a part of the Brews from the Sun competition has been a lot of fun!” said Tina Stocking, Mudshark Brewery owner. “It has given our entire company, from our sales team, servers, bartenders, management and brewers the opportunity to engage with our customers on our sustainability efforts. We have been able to spread the word and encourage others to join us in going solar!”

Mudshark has a 38 kW solar array on its roof. Installed in 2011, the system helps the brewery lower its energy costs as well as its carbon footprint.

More than 8,500 people from across the country voted to support their favorite solar brewery.

“Cheers to all the breweries that participated the first ever Brews from the Sun Competition,” said Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors Executive Director. “It was great to see the enthusiasm with which our community of solar supporters drank up this competition.”

“It has been really fun to engage our community to rally for their local brewery in this nationwide competition to crown America’s favorite solar brewery,” said Sarah Peterson. Flathead Lake Brewing Co. Marketing Manager. “It has also been a great tool to educate more people on the sustainable aspects of our brewery and why we feel that using solar power is an important aspect of our overall goal of being environmentally responsible.”

As a part of the competition, several participating breweries held solar happy hours. These were great opportunities for solar and beer enthusiasts to meet, vote, and have a great time.

“We have had a great experience with the Brews from the Sun Competition – so many people are learning about our use of solar energy and the other ways LRB reduces its impact on the environment!” said Alex Hubbarth, Legal Remedy Brewing Company Marketing & Social Media Manager. “We have even had some local breweries inquire about who we used, how much it saves, etc., which is fantastic!”