MUDSHARK BREWERY IS GREEN

By JACKIE LEATHERMAN
Today’s News-Herald

Scott and Tina Stocking are not only doing what they can to help preserve the environment, but to help also preserve their bank accounts.

“I almost fell over in my chair when I got my first bill,”

Scott said about his electric bill after solar panels on the Mudshark Production Facility were activated.

The couple that owns Mudshark Brewing Co. went live with solar panels in January to power their brewery. Arizona’s sunshine made the move easy, Scott said, adding he expects to save an average of $700 monthly on electric costs.

Next on the list of green improvements is using solar panels to heat water needed to make their brews, expected to be online by the end of May. Scott said the installation will reduce propane costs resulting in “significant savings.”

But the couple isn’t stopping there.
They have been experimenting with growing vegetables and want to construct a greenhouse behind their facility to grow food for use at their restaurants. The couple also expects to recycle water used for the brewery to the greenhouse. And Scott said he expects to use vegetable oil to power a double-decker company bus.

The Stockings started moving toward reducing their “footprint” about five years ago when they decided to can their brews. Scott said the recyclable material eliminates sunlight from spoiling the beer, compared to glass, it takes less time to cool in a can and is lightweight reducing fuel shipping costs. The couple ships their used grains after the brew process to a farmer in Kingman for feed and uses recyclable materials for their cardboard and plastic rings for their beer carriers.

“Everything kind of goes hand-in-hand,” Scott said.

“We are all trying to reduce our footprint. It’s not that difficult (to incorporate green improvements into businesses) as it was probably five years ago. If (business owners) can save $50 a month, that’s money they didn’t have last month and it’s doing the right thing for the planet.”