A California-based craft brewery has introduced a beer carbonated with carbon dioxide captured directly from ambient air, marking a new approach to sourcing a key ingredient in beverage production. The product, called Flow – Clean Air Edition, was developed through a partnership between Aircapture, a direct air capture technology company, and Almanac Beer Co.
The system, installed at Almanac’s facility in Alameda, captures carbon dioxide from the surrounding air and refines it to beverage-grade quality before integrating it into the brewing process. The launch follows recent supply challenges in the United States, where disruptions in industrial CO2 production exposed vulnerabilities in traditional sourcing methods, according to a project overview video.
Carbon dioxide is a critical input for carbonation in beverages, but most commercial supplies are derived as byproducts of fossil fuel-based industries such as ammonia and ethanol production. When those industries slow or redirect output, downstream sectors, including breweries, can face shortages and rising costs. A nationwide CO2 shortage in 2022 highlighted these risks, affecting production across the food and beverage industry.
Aircapture’s system aims to address this dependency by generating CO2 onsite. The modular unit extracts carbon dioxide directly from ambient air and converts it into liquid form at a reported purity of 99.999 percent, exceeding standard requirements for beverage use. By localizing production, the system reduces reliance on external supply chains and minimizes exposure to price volatility.
The installation at Almanac Beer Co. was completed without requiring new infrastructure or interrupting brewing operations. Captured CO2 is now fed directly into the brewery’s production line, creating what the companies describe as a more controlled and circular process. This setup allows the brewery to treat carbon dioxide as a locally produced input rather than an externally sourced commodity.
Industry stakeholders view the development as part of a broader shift toward decentralized carbon sourcing. Direct air capture has traditionally been associated with large-scale, capital-intensive projects, often focused on long-term carbon storage. In contrast, Aircapture’s approach emphasizes smaller, deployable systems that can integrate into existing industrial environments.
The implications extend beyond brewing. Similar systems could be applied in sectors such as food processing, refrigeration, agriculture, and construction materials, where carbon dioxide is widely used. By producing CO2 onsite, companies may be able to stabilize operations and reduce logistical dependencies.
The product launch also aligns with wider carbon removal initiatives in the United States. A portion of proceeds from Flow – Clean Air Edition will support Carbon180, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing carbon removal policy.
Almanac introduced the beer during a public event at its Alameda brewery on March 21, where visitors were able to view the capture system in operation. The product is now available both at the brewery and through more than 800 retail outlets across California, including major grocery and beverage chains.
While still in early stages, the project represents a practical test case for integrating direct air capture into commercial production. Its performance and scalability will likely influence whether similar systems are adopted more widely across industries.