Ice cream-inspired beer launched to support renewable energy

Ben & Jerry’s and 4 Pines have joined forces to create a limited release, ice cream-inspired beer to support renewable energy community initiatives.

Brewed at the 4 Pines Brewery in Brookvale and inspired by Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavour, this sweet and creamy lactose-infused golden brown nitro beer is a hard pour style.

With energy sourced from solar and wind via a power purchase agreement powering 4 Pines’ Brookvale headquarters, the two companies have come together to support a community project with access to solar energy.

Collaborating with Australian community-owned power company Enova Community Energy, Ben & Jerry’s and 4 Pines will support a solar installation for a community group. Enova will be seeking expressions of interest from community groups who are interested in receiving funding for solar installations from this partnership.

“Ben & Jerry’s has long fought for a renewable energy future, and the partnership with 4 Pines provides a foundation for a sustainable solution with solar panels for the people and the planet — a choc chip cookie dough inspired one which is equally dough-licious and rewarding,” said Stephanie Curley, Social Mission Manager, Ben & Jerry’s Australia.

The Ben & Jerry’s and 4 Pines project will also contribute to Enova’s ‘revolving community energy fund’. The community group will become a customer of Enova Community Energy. The ‘revolving’ part of the fund allows Enova to use the energy savings the community group makes from the solar installation to repay the cost of the solar panels to Enova over a period decided when the grant is made. With these repaid funds, Enova can fund more solar projects for other community groups in the future.

“For us, we want to leave the world in a better state than which we found it. As each year goes on, we’re working to become a sustainable and community-minded brewery that can make a difference,” said Andrew Tweddell, Head Brewer at 4 Pines.

The limited-edition nitro beer will be sold as single cans or in packs of four 330 mL cans or cartons of 24 while stocks last. It will also be available on tap in selected venues, and pouring at this year’s GABS Craft Beer & Cider Festival in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Image credit: 4 Pines