# This Climate Startup is Taking Recycling to the Next Level, with Shower Water Beer
In a bold move blending sustainability and craft brewing, San Francisco-based climate startup **Epic Cleantec** has launched the world’s first commercial beers made from highly purified recycled shower and laundry water, proving that wastewater can become a premium ingredient.[1][2][4] Partnering with Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, Epic Cleantec’s **Shower Hour IPA** and **Laundry Club Kölsch** are now available nationwide, marking a milestone in water reuse innovation as of late 2025.[2][3]
## Revolutionizing Water Reuse in Buildings
Epic Cleantec specializes in onsite water recycling systems for commercial real estate, targeting the 15% of global potable water consumed by buildings—much of which is discarded as greywater from showers and laundry.[2][3] Greywater, once considered waste, is now transformed using advanced purification technology inspired by astronaut systems on the International Space Station, rendering it “better than most tap water in America” through rigorous filtration, biological treatment, and chemical disinfection.[1][2]
CEO Aaron Tartakovsky explains the vision: “What if your shower beer was actually made from shower water? Turns out, not only is it not illegal, it makes pretty great beer.”[1] Independent lab testing ensures every batch meets or exceeds safety standards, addressing health concerns like bacterial growth or odors common in untreated greywater.[1] Regulations vary—U.S. states handle oversight without federal mandates, while places like the UK enforce strict “General Binding Rules” for discharges.[1]
This isn’t Epic’s first foray; their 2022 experimental **OneWater Brew**—a limited 7,500-can run—earned accolades as a TIME Best Invention and Fast Company World Changing Idea, going viral among consumers, UN dignitaries, and beverage giants.[2] Those early tests revealed a key industry hurdle: brewing one gallon of beer requires 10 gallons of water, yet major companies balked at recycled sources due to consumer skepticism.[1] Epic’s commercial launch flips the script, producing 250,000 cans in 2026 to scale impact.[1]
## Beers That Brew Sustainability from Grain to Glass
**Shower Hour IPA** and **Laundry Club Kölsch** aren’t gimmicks—they’re crafted with purpose.[1][2] Devil’s Canyon, an award-winning San Carlos brewery, infuses the recycled water with innovative, eco-friendly components:
– **Drought-tolerant ingredients**: Azacca hops with semi-dwarf genetics for high efficiency and low irrigation; fonio grain, a fast-growing, fertilizer-free cereal that enriches soil.[2]
– **Energy-saving yeast**: Kveik ferments “fast and hot,” slashing brewing energy use.[1][2]
Chris Garrett, Devil’s Canyon CEO, calls it a convergence of “innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship,” meeting demand for high-quality, responsible brews.[2] Tartakovsky adds, “If a single great beer can change minds, imagine the impact at scale.”[2]
Early tastings have been a hit, with fans loving the flavors and the story—proving recycled water can deliver refreshing taste without compromise.[1][4]
## Why This Matters for Climate and Water Security
Water scarcity looms large: buildings worldwide flush trillions of gallons of reusable greywater annually, exacerbating droughts and straining infrastructure.[2][3] Epic’s systems close the loop, converting wastewater into non-potable uses like toilet flushing, irrigation, or—in this case—beer brewing, while recovering heat energy.[2] Klaus Reichardt of Waterless Co. praises it as a step toward efficiency, noting over 15% of commercial potable water is wasted.[3]
By making reuse approachable and delicious, Epic Cleantec normalizes advanced recycling. Astronauts have drunk recycled water for decades; now, everyday consumers can too—via a cold IPA.[1][4] The startup’s $12M Series B funding fuels expansion into more buildings, from Waldorf Astoria partnerships to community-scale deployments in cities like San Diego and Austin.[2]
## Challenges and the Road Ahead
Skepticism persists—”most non-astronauts still feel weird about drinking that water,” admits Tartakovsky—but beer bridges the “yuck factor.”[1] Regulatory patchwork demands navigation, yet Epic’s lab-verified purity builds trust.[1] Plans for 2026 include wider distribution, potentially inspiring beverage giants to adopt recycled water.[1]
This initiative reimagines waste as resource, aligning climate action with consumer products. As Tartakovsky says, “It’s about reimagining what’s possible.”[1] For a thirstier planet, **Epic Cleantec** isn’t just brewing beer—it’s pouring a sustainable future, one can at a time.
*Grab a Shower Hour IPA or Laundry Club Kölsch today and toast to innovation. Available nationwide—check local retailers or Epic’s site for details.*[2][4]
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Original source: CNBC Business – This climate startup is taking recycling to the next level, with shower water beer