A new beer is turning carbon removal into a real-world product. U.S.-based Aircapture and Almanac Beer have launched what they call the world’s first commercial beer carbonated using (carbon dioxide) CO₂ captured directly from the atmosphere.
The system uses direct air capture (DAC) technology. It pulls carbon dioxide from ambient air and delivers it on-site for use in brewing. The captured CO₂ replaces conventional industrial CO₂, which is usually sourced from fossil fuel processes.
The DAC unit is installed at Almanac’s brewery in California. It captures CO₂ from the air and feeds it directly into the beer carbonation process. This removes the need to transport CO₂ from external suppliers and reduces the carbon footprint of production.
While the volume of CO₂ used in beer is small, the concept is significant. It shows how captured carbon can move beyond storage and into everyday consumer products.
How Direct Air Capture Works in Practice
Direct air capture is a technology that removes CO₂ directly from the atmosphere. Unlike traditional carbon capture, which targets emissions at industrial sources, DAC works anywhere.
The process uses chemical materials to bind CO₂ from the air. The captured gas is then purified and either stored or reused. In this case, it is reused in beverage production.
Globally, DAC is still at an early stage. According to the International Energy Agency, only 27 DAC plants are operating worldwide, capturing about 0.01 million tonnes of CO₂ per year.
However, the pipeline is growing. More than 130 DAC facilities are in development, including large-scale plants that could capture over 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year each.
Aircapture’s model is different from many large DAC projects. Instead of building centralized plants, it installs modular units directly at industrial sites. This allows companies to use captured CO₂ on-site, reducing transport costs and emissions.
This approach fits well with industries like food and beverage, where CO₂ is already used as an input.
Why CO₂ Matters in Beer Production
Carbon dioxide plays a key role in brewing. It creates the bubbles in beer and affects taste, texture, and shelf life. Most breweries rely on industrial CO₂ supplies, often sourced from fossil fuel processes or as a byproduct of fertilizer production.
This supply chain has faced disruptions in recent years. CO₂ shortages have affected breweries across the U.S. and Europe, highlighting the risks of relying on centralized supply.
Using DAC changes this model. Breweries can produce CO₂ on-site, reducing supply risks and emissions. It also provides a way to use carbon that would otherwise remain in the atmosphere.
Damian Fagan, CEO of Almanac Beer Co., stated:
“Brewing is both science and craft. By integrating direct air capture into our production floor, we’re rethinking one of our essential ingredients and contributing to carbon-removal efforts. Instead of relying on distant industrial supply, we’re sourcing CO₂ from the air right here in Alameda. It’s local, circular, and a glimpse of what the future will look like.”
This does not make beer carbon-negative on its own. But it reduces reliance on fossil-derived CO₂ and shows how carbon can be reused in circular systems.
Almanac’s DAC unit captures 50-100 tCO₂/year, small volume, massive market signal. On-site generation cuts fossil CO₂ emissions from trucking by 20-30% in the supply chain. It also creates premium utilization credits for beverage Scope 3 or supply chain emissions.
DAC Market Set for Explosive Growth
The launch comes as interest in carbon removal technologies is rising. Governments and companies are investing in solutions that remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, not just reduce emissions.
The DAC market is still small but growing fast. One estimate values the market at about $160 million in 2025, with projections reaching nearly $18.7 billion by 2035, growing at a 61% annual rate.
Other forecasts show similar trends. The market could reach over $9 billion by 2033, driven by corporate climate targets and government incentives.
This growth is supported by key factors, including:
- Net-zero commitments from major companies,
- Carbon pricing systems and policy support,
- Demand for high-quality carbon removal credits, and
- Advances in carbon capture technology.
North America currently leads the DAC market, accounting for a large share of global deployment. However, scaling remains a challenge. DAC systems require energy and infrastructure, and costs are still high compared to other climate solutions.
- SEE MORE: Deep Sky and Skyrenu Launch North America’s First Direct Air Capture (DAC) Storage Facility
From Storage to Utilization: A New Carbon Economy
Most DAC projects focus on storing CO₂ underground. This is known as carbon dioxide removal (CDR). It is essential for reaching global climate targets, especially for hard-to-abate sectors.
But there is growing interest in carbon utilization. This means using captured CO₂ as a resource rather than storing it. Common applications include:
- Synthetic fuels
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Food and beverages
The beer project shows a simple but visible example of this shift. It turns captured carbon into a product that consumers can see and use.
While the scale is small, it helps build awareness and demand for carbon removal technologies. It also shows that DAC can integrate into existing industries without major changes to production systems.
Corporate Climate Strategies Drive Innovation
Projects like this are also linked to corporate climate goals. Many companies are looking for ways to reduce emissions across their operations and supply chains. Carbon removal is becoming part of these strategies.
Using captured CO₂ in products supports these goals. It reduces reliance on fossil inputs and creates new pathways for decarbonization.
More notably, in sectors like food and beverage, where emissions are harder to eliminate completely, these solutions can play a supporting role.
Carbon Markets Expand Beyond Offsets
The launch of a DAC-based beer highlights a broader shift in carbon markets. The focus is expanding from reducing emissions to actively removing and reusing carbon.
Carbon markets are expected to grow as demand for high-quality carbon credits increases. Many experts see carbon removal as essential for meeting global climate targets.
At the same time, new use cases for CO₂ could create additional value streams. Instead of treating carbon only as a cost, companies can use it as an input for products.
However, scale remains the key challenge. Current DAC capacity is far below what is needed. The IEA notes that global DAC deployment must reach around 65 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2030 to align with net-zero pathways. This will require major investment, policy support, and technological progress.
A Small Beer with a Big Climate Message
The beer itself is a niche product, but the idea behind it is larger. It shows how carbon removal can move into everyday life and consumer markets.
By turning captured CO₂ into a usable product, companies can demonstrate the value of climate technologies in simple terms. This can help build public support and encourage further investment.
The project also highlights a key trend. Climate solutions are becoming more integrated into business operations, not just separate offset programs.
For now, a single beer will not change global emissions. But it offers a glimpse of how carbon could be managed differently in the future, not just emitted or stored, but reused in practical ways.