Local Brewery Gives Back To Environment

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Riverhead brewery is pledging to give back and protect the environment.

Moustache Brewing Co. announced this week that it had teamed up 1% For The Planet, pledging to donate 1% of sales of their New York State farm beers to support nonprofit organizations focused on the environment, according to a release.

On June 1, Moustache will be releasing Beyond The Shore, a gose which is brewed with sea salt and coriander; this is the first beer brewed for their 1% for the Planet commitment, benefiting the Shinnecock Bay Restoration program, the release said.

“It’s important to us to make positive changes in the world around us while inspiring others to do the same. Joining 1% For The Planet will allow us to strengthen our commitment to the environment and support the work of our charity partners," married owners Matthew and Lauri Spitz said.

Members of 1% For The Planet commit to supporting approved environmental nonprofit partners by donating the equivalent of 1% of sales through a combination of monetary, in-kind, and approved advertising contributions, the release added.

Collectively, 1% for the Planet members have donated more than $175 million so far to environmental nonprofits.

“We are thrilled to welcome Moustache Brewing Co. to our global network,” said Kate Williams, CEO of 1% For The Planet. “Currently, only three percent of total philanthropy goes to the environment and, only three percent of that comes from businesses. We need more business like Moustache Brewing Co. to do its valuable part to increase giving and support on the ground outcomes.”

Moustache Brewing Co. was founded in 2012 by the Spitzes.They opened their doors for the first time in April of 2014 on a one-barrel system and are currently in the process of a major brewery expansion.

Lauri and Matt Spitz said in November that they had signed a lease on the rest of the industrial building, located at 400 Hallett Avenue, where their current facility is located — quadrupling their current space.

The space will go from its current 1,400 square feet to 5,600 square feet, with a new tasting room also announced.

The pair first brewed their first home batch in September, 2005 and later, commenced a Kickstarter campaign in 2012 to open the brewery. They raised more than $31,000 in one month, they said.

Lead photo by Michelle Demetillo.

Patch file photo of Lauri and Matt Spitz.