Sewage to suds? German company uses treated wastewater to make beer.

Aim of 'Reuse Brew' is to show possibilities of modern water treatment and how water can be used sustainably

[video_shortcode_video_embed src="https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/video-embed.html?video_id=6353529373112&d=video.foxbusiness.com" itemprop="image" content="https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/video-embed.html?video_id=6353529373112&d=video.foxbusiness.com" data-src="https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/video-embed.html?video_id=6353529373112&d=video.foxbusiness.com"]

Sewage to suds? German company uses treated wastewater to make beer.

A German water solutions company teamed up with members of the Technical University of Munich and the city of Weissenburg to use treated sewage water in making beer called "Reuse Brew." (Credit: Reuters)

There are four main ingredients in the production of beer: malt, hops, yeast and... sewage? That last one might not sound like the most intuitive choice, but it's the one that's already being made - with sewage water, of course, having gone through a total of four purification stages.

The first three treatment stages are mechanical, biological and chemical. The mechanical treatment stage includes a screening plant, a grit chamber and two primary clarifiers. In the biological treatment stage, billions of microorganisms help to convert the dissolved substances in the wastewater into solid, settleable substances through their metabolic activity. The chemical treatment stage removes phosphorus from the wastewater.

The fourth stage is unique to the Weissenburg treatment plant. It involves ozonizing the water by mixing it with ozone via a feed system, using ozone produced on site using oxygen and a generator. The ozonization of the waste water in the reactor produces by-products that can be harmful to the aquatic environment, so this process is followed by filtration. The two-stage filtration system consists of a biological activated carbon filter, which is being trialed for the first time on an industrial scale, and a sand filter. This fourth purification stage removes up to 80% of anthropogenic trace substances.

AMERICANS ARE DRINKING LESS; NON-ALCOHOLIC BRANDS ARE SATURATING SHELVES: REPORT

Yet, this water is still not safe to drink, said Tobias Fruehauf, operations manager at Weissenburg's wastewater treatment plant. So, the water has to be treated further.

"This makes the water cleaner than the drinking water quality law actually requires it. It even includes partial demineralization," explained Uwe Huebner of Xylem Water Solutions.

Beer is poured from a tap into a mug, which overflows with foam.

The brewers of "Reuse Brew" say that reusing treated sewage water can help counteract climate change. (Karsten Moran for The Washington Post via Getty Images / AP Images)

State-of-the-art technology makes it economical and efficient to use sewage water to brew beer. The "Reuse Brew" is a collaboration between the Chair of Brewery and Beverage Technology at Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering at TUM, the city of Weissenburg and Xylem.

The Reuse Brew is not yet available for purchase. Its main purpose is to demonstrate the possibilities of modern water treatment and how water can be used sustainably. It's also one of the ways to combat climate change.

"We are currently experiencing very frequent water shortages due to climate change," said Huebner. "And one way to counteract this is to reuse treated wastewater."

All these purification efforts culminate in satisfied beer lovers. "It's delicious," said Nadine Krogull after tasting the beer at a trade fair in Munich. "You don't realize that it's waste water."

"I don't notice any difference to a normal beer. It's really good," agreed Sebastian Beck.

OTHER NEWS

21 minutes ago

Latrell Mitchell earns NSW State of Origin call up as Michael Maguire makes shock move in axing TWO Sharks stars for do-or-die clash with Queensland

25 minutes ago

Irish weather: Sunny spells and temperatures to hit 20 degrees – but heavy rain still on the cards

25 minutes ago

France : protesters stand up to far-right ahead of elections

25 minutes ago

Zelensky Expects Ukraine to Send a Peace Proposal to Moscow

25 minutes ago

Climate is too serious to be obstructed by politics

26 minutes ago

Chris Billam-Smith, Richard Riakporhe and the truth about winning ugly

26 minutes ago

LGBT soldiers in Ukraine hope service is changing attitudes as they rally for rights

26 minutes ago

Kirsten Dunst is the epitome of elegance in a strappy semi-sheer black gown as she attends the Critics Choice Real TV Awards

26 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap (and it's less money than you might think!)

26 minutes ago

How much does it really cost to retire to Spain? Everything you need to know before taking the leap (and it's less money than you might think!)

26 minutes ago

BYD Seal electric vehicle owner's embarrassing mistake on Perth's City Beach

30 minutes ago

Kaizer Chiefs: Nasreddine Nabi receives another offer!

30 minutes ago

Brighton announce Fabian Hürzeler appointment

30 minutes ago

Ten-year US-Ukraine security deal is a 'landmark event', FM Kuleba says

30 minutes ago

Ways Charlotte stepped up for beloved mum as Kate Middleton made triumphant return

30 minutes ago

Majorcans take over tiny cove amid island's anti-tourism backlash

30 minutes ago

T20 World Cup: How does the Super 8 stage work

30 minutes ago

Bulls set to lose another Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok for URC Grand Final against Glasgow Warriors

33 minutes ago

Former Everton star Frank D'Arcy dies aged 77, as Toffees pay tribute to their title-winning defender

36 minutes ago

Ron Washington won't let losses deter belief in Angels: 'Ain't no damn failure'

37 minutes ago

General election 2024 live: Tories could win just 72 seats in next Parliament, new Survation poll says

37 minutes ago

Slovenia v Denmark LIVE: Euro 2024 team news, line-ups and more today

37 minutes ago

Gino D'Acampo 'rakes in £6m in two years' after he 'failed to pay £5m to staff and taxman' when his My Pasta Bar chain went under

37 minutes ago

'Britain's FBI' investigating PPE scandal linked to 'Baroness Bra' Michelle Mone interview at least five suspects under caution - as case reaches China

37 minutes ago

The Entire Young Sheldon Timeline Explained

40 minutes ago

John Sterling’s kids reveal what it’s like to have the legendary Yankees announcer as a dad: ‘Unlike any other human’

41 minutes ago

Londis shop orders staff to pour famous cider down drain over 'stolen' name

41 minutes ago

Hamas response to Gaza ceasefire proposal 'consistent' with principles of US plan, leader says

41 minutes ago

Top model Josh: ‘Celebs love me because I’m a Kiwi’

42 minutes ago

Greene homers twice and has a career-best 6 RBIs as Tigers rout Astros 13-5

42 minutes ago

Boozy England fans drink in the Euro 2024 atmosphere ahead of first game vs Serbia

46 minutes ago

Playwright James Graham: ‘We’re still living in Thatcher’s country’

46 minutes ago

Kate Middleton - latest: Prince William shares sweet message day after Princess returns to public duties

46 minutes ago

Poland vs Netherlands LIVE: Euro 2024 team news and line-ups ahead of Group D clash as Robert Lewandowski out

46 minutes ago

China is getting too much rain in the south and not enough rain, plus a heat wave, in the north

48 minutes ago

As the Raspberry Pi share price soars, is it set to be a great UK growth success?

48 minutes ago

World leaders condemn Putin's 'dictatorial' Ukraine ceasefire proposal

48 minutes ago

Richie Sambora on Bon Jovi docuseries: 'That's one person's perspective'

48 minutes ago

With a forward P/E of 3.28x, could this FTSE 250 stock make me rich?

48 minutes ago

NASCAR radio station: Channel, live streams to listen to 2024 Iowa race broadcast