Could we see floating breweries by 2030?

One of the world’s largest brewers is exploring the idea of building floating breweries in a bid to offset water and energy needs.

In a report in today’s Times, SABMiller is said to be considering the concept of a floating brewery which has been put forward by Innovia Technology, a consultancy working for the brewer.

SAB Miller, which owns brands including Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Peroni Nastro Azzurro, has already invested heavily in making its breweries more efficient and reduced its water consumption from 5 litres per litre of beer to 4.7 litres.

However, a recent study, part-funded by SABMiller, found that there could be a potential shortfall of 40% in water resources available across the world by 2030.

The concept of the floating brewery is part of a project to predict how a range of different scenarios in terms of the cost and availability of water and energy will affect the technology required to carry on brewing in 2030.