Winston-Salem’s Wise Man Brewing Is Going Solar
Winston-Salem, NC – October 10, 2017 – A local Winston-Salem brewery is announcing something no other production brewery in the Triad has up to now: Wise Man Brewing plans to harness the power of the sun!
Wise Man Brewing has quickly gained recognition since opening in January 2017 in the historic Angelo Brothers building located in downtown Winston-Salem. Their planned 34-kW solar system will offset a majority of the brewery’s future power bills. This new development is energizing brewery staff and garnering tremendously positive feedback from taproom customers.
This is a big step for an antique building: the 90-year old Angelo Brothers structure had been sitting vacant for about a decade and was in dire need of repair. Remodeling for the brewery began in 2015, and Wise Man was able to open its doors two years later. With the remodel of the historic building came an opportunity to make efficiency upgrades to the building such as a new roof, insulation, LED lights, high-efficiency water taps for brewing, and now finally solar energy.
Wise Man’s owners expect to see the electric usage decline even while beer production increases. On the timing of the decision, Wise Man Brewing Co-Founder Jason Morehead says, “We have always had a focus on sustainability, but getting a brewery off the ground is a monumental task. Now that we’re up and running, we’ve been able to take a step back and focus more on our footprint. Anyone who has been to our taproom knows that community is core to Wise Man’s culture. Being an environmentally friendly brewery is central to being a good neighbor and responsible business.”
“Speaking as both a lover of craft beer and as a supporter of renewable energy, I’m thrilled that Wise Man Brewing is moving ahead with solar,” said Patrick Cavanaugh of Renu Energy Solutions. “I love a good craft beer in a historic setting, and now the building will feature clean energy, too. The Renu Energy team is pleased to be a part of this project, and it wouldn’t surprise me if more breweries opt to start using solar to reduce monthly power costs while making a statement about taking care of the planet.”
Within the past 15 years, Winston-Salem has transformed itself from a textile and tobacco economy to be a leader in the nanotech, high-tech and biotech fields. Medical research, banking, and a flourishing arts community have come to give Winston-Salem its character in recent years. Wise Man Brewing along with others breweries is making a mark on the craft brew scene in North Carolina, in quality and in social benefits.
Renu Energy Solutions has provided solar energy systems for home and business since 2010 and is proud to partner with Wise Man Brewing as they join the renewable energy revolution. No-cost consultations for solar are available for qualified homeowners and commercial customers.