The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will recognize two local businesses for sustainability leadership this week, with Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Company receiving its honor Wednesday and WinterHawk Vineyards of West Kingston on Thursday.
DEM Director Terry Gray will present Newport Craft with its BetterBev recognition Wednesday, July 8, at 2 p.m. at the brewery, 293 JT Connell Highway. WinterHawk’s ceremony follows Thursday, July 9, at 3 p.m. at 35 Yawgoo Pond Road, West Kingston.
Newport Craft, which has worked with DEM since 2020, will become the third Rhode Island brewery recognized under the BetterBev program. The brewery’s sustainability efforts have included supporting regenerative agriculture, recapturing CO2, reusing drinkware and spirit barrels, and reducing water, energy, and chemical use.
WinterHawk, which helped pilot DEM’s winery sustainability checklist, becomes the first Rhode Island winery to earn BetterBev recognition. The vineyard has adopted reusable equipment, non-chemical pest control, and composting and repurposing of fermentation waste.
BetterBev is a regional program launched in 2024 by DEM and other New England states to recognize breweries and wineries for sustainability practices. DEM’s Green Breweries Program has offered free technical assistance to local breweries since 2019. Rhode Island is home to nearly 40 craft breweries and about 15 wineries.
“Great beer and environmental responsibility go hand in hand,” said Newport Craft CEO Brendan O’Donnell.
