Our latest collab is a waste-fighting beer with the legends over at Beer Fontaine: Loopy Lager.

Here's a rundown and a l'il Q&A with brewers Ben and Jeremy.

Who would've thought that the humble coffee chaff, a byproduct of our roasting process, could be the secret ingredient to a killer beer? Well, the folks at Beer Fontaine did, and they’ve turned it into a reality. While chaff - the husk-like skin that comes off the beans during roasting - is usually compost, or sadly sometimes landfill, these crafty brewers helped harness its brewing potential. By replacing a portion of the ingredients with what's amounted to 16% upcycled coffee chaff, they've created a unique, more sustainable amber-hued lager with a smooth, smash-able profile.

So, why bother with chaff? What inspired you?

We were at Single O's Roastworks chatting about their Cocoa One drinking chocolate to use in our Resplendent Quetzal Imperial Stout, then we were asked by the coffee crew if their coffee chaff could somehow be used in our brewing process. We're always looking at innovating and the chance to use an ingredient that's not common in the brewing industry was exciting to us.

How does it influence taste?

Coffee chaff gives a roasty flavour without the use of roasted malts and barley as well pleasant toffee, caramel notes and adds a beautiful caramel colour.

Overall taste notes?

Toasty notes, a light caramel sweetness, hints of coffee, chocolate & a lingering dry, bitter finish.

Any challenges incorporating chaff? Unique brewing techniques?

A few tweaks needed here and there due to the consistency and weight of the chaff but overall quite straight forward. We did our best to treat the chaff as we would any other grain in a brew.

How does the use of coffee chaff affect the beer’s fermentation?

The chaff was used in the mash, but did not enter the boil or fermenter so no affect there.

What other beers do you think coffee chaff would work well for? 

 We think there are a plethora of styles that chaff could compliment including stouts, dark lagers, barley wines, amber ales or a bitter.

Has this experiment sparked any ideas about ways to use it or other byproducts in future brews? 

The use of coffee chaff has been an interesting and exciting endeavour thanks to Single O and now our minds are definitely considering what else could be possible.

Ready to get loopy with Loopy Lager in 2025?

We're hoping for a Loopy Lager release early 2025. (This first batch has been snatched up with Chrissy prezzies and a staff gatho at Beer Fontaine.)

Stay tuned!