Award-winning Allagash Brewing Company is proud to announce it has received its recertification as a B Corporation™ (“B Corp”), earning an overall Impact Score of 104.0, which represents a more than 20-point jump from the 83.8 score earned by the brewery when it received its first B Corp certification in 2019. The improved score also far exceeds the median score of 50.9 for other businesses who apply for B Corp status, a certification that allows consumers and employees to make values-aligned decisions about what they buy and where they work. Allagash was the first brewery in the state of Maine, and the 14th brewery in the U.S., to achieve B Corp status.
“I’m so proud of the entire Allagash team for the strides we’ve made across the board,” said Rob Tod, Founder, Allagash. “Our recertification and new score exemplifies the Allagash team’s rigorous commitment to our core values, and the actions we’ve taken to continue to use beer as a force for good.”
Allagash’s ongoing dedication to environmental stewardship played an important role in their B Corp recertification, with efforts that include the 20-member Allagash Recycling Co-op that recycled over 40 tons last year alone, investing in clean water conservation through Sebago Clean Waters, and brewing with more over 1.5 million pounds of Maine-grown grain per year – a number that’s likely to reach 2 million pounds by the end of this year. They also have been undertaking a more than three-year carbon accounting project with the guidance of Fosterra LLC, a consulting firm that specializes in helping companies achieve environmental sustainability goals.
Along with giving back to the environment, Allagash remains committed to giving back to the people of Maine. The brewery directed over $500,000 to community organizations in 2022—as a combination of Allagash donations and funds contributed by tasting room guests—and continues to donate 1% of sales to keep that number growing. For employees, Allagash implemented a mental health benefit, which provides free therapy sessions for staff and their families. The brewery also hired a full-time Safety Manager in 2021.
Another crucial step that Allagash has taken to expand its positive impact since it first became B Corp certified in 2019 was creating a full-time Sustainability Manager position in 2022. Zoe Malia filled that role following four years as an Allagash Tasting Room Associate. Zoe oversees three previously siloed categories of engagement and initiatives – those tied to the environment, the community, and Allagash employees.
“By introducing the role of a full-time Sustainability Manager, we’ve been able to double down on our commitment to doing good, and keeping the community and the environment top of mind,” said Tod.
“It has been inspiring to be able to bring together all of the great work going on throughout the different departments of the brewery,” said Malia. “More than ever, we’ve been formalizing and documenting goals that focus on investing in our community, environmental stewardship, and improving the lives of employees. The B Corp recertification and improved score is a welcome acknowledgement that we’re on the right track.”
Achieving B Corp status is described by B Lab, the nonprofit behind certification, as “a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving, to supply chain practices and input materials.”
“Our B Corp recertification is a great reminder that by setting goals and holding ourselves accountable, we can continue to improve and do better for our environment, our Maine communities and our employees,” added Tod. “We plan to continue on the path we’ve paved to reach new milestones and set new benchmarks for making a positive impact.”
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