Home

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 18:01

    Venezuela's ex-oil boss under investigation for graft

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:33

    'We're losing the battle', Macron tells Paris climate talks

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:26

    With fossil fuel subsidies, humanity investing in 'own doom': UN chief

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:19

    Russia suspends diplomatic presence in Yemen

  • London (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 15:43

    Ireland-based Ryanair pilots to strike on December 20

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:44

    Stoltenberg reappointed as NATO chief until 2020: statement

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:28

    World Bank to stop financing oil, gas projects from 2019

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:22

    Two Palestinians killed in Gaza, Israel denies claim of attack

  • Juba (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:54

    S.Sudan clashes leave more than 170 dead: lawmaker

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:00

    Macron calls for 'much stronger mobilisation' on climate

  • Phnom Penh (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 11:23

    EU pulls support for Cambodia poll after opposition dissolved

  • Tehran (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 10:18

    Magnitude 6.2 quake hits southeastern Iran: seismological centre

  • Vienna (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 09:51

    Explosion at major Austrian gas hub, 'several' hurt

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 08:14

    France's Unibail-Rodamco to buy Australia's Westfield: statement

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:11

    Trump wants Congress to fix 'lax' immigration after NY attack

  • Sydney (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:10

    ANZ Bank sells life insurance arm to Zurich for US$2.14 bn

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 21:25

    Trump tells NASA to send Americans to Moon

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 18:34

    Apple to buy song recognition app Shazam

  • London (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 17:05

    Brexit deal shows UK can leave EU in 'smooth and orderly' way: May

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:55

    China fails to block UN meeting on North Korea human rights

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:25

    Four hurt in New York explosion, none life-threatening

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Man held over jihadist murders of French police couple

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Putin calls for Mideast talks to resume, including on Jerusalem

  • Los Angeles (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:55

    'The Shape of Water' leads Golden Globe nominations with seven

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:35

    Cairo, Moscow sign contract for Egypt's first nuclear plant

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:03

    Police responding to explosion of 'unknown origin' in Manhattan

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:18

    Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: agencies

  • New Delhi (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:10

    India's Congress party names Rahul Gandhi president

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:06

    Putin in surprise visit to Russia's airbase in Syria

  • Riyadh (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 09:43

    Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas: government

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:50

    Recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital 'makes peace possible': Netanyahu

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:46

    EU's Mogherini condemns 'all attacks on Jews everywhere'

  • Manila (Philippines) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 05:35

    Philippines' Duterte seeks martial law extension for south

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:28

    Bitcoin makes stock exchange debut at $15,000 Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:11

    Main opposition parties barred from next presidential vote: Venezuela's Maduro

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 21:49

    Palestinians 'walking away' from talks with Pence snub: US

  • Doha (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 18:20

    Qatar signs $8-bln deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from UK

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:24

    Macron urges Netanyahu to freeze Israeli settlement building

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:08

    Netanyahu accuses Erdogan of helping 'terrorists'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:03

    Macron urges Netanyahu to show 'courage' with Palestinians

  • Aden (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 16:22

    Air raids on Yemen rebel training camp kill 26: security sources

  • Calais (France) (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 14:24

    Ferry runs aground at France's Calais port: official

  • Vatican City (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:33

    Pope renews call for 'wisdom and prudence' over Jerusalem: Vatican

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:13

    Erdogan calls Israel 'terrorist state'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 12:57

    Major recall of Lactalis baby milk over salmonella fears

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 11:14

    Israel says demolishes tunnel from Gaza into its territory

Home

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 18:01

    Venezuela's ex-oil boss under investigation for graft

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:33

    'We're losing the battle', Macron tells Paris climate talks

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:26

    With fossil fuel subsidies, humanity investing in 'own doom': UN chief

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 16:19

    Russia suspends diplomatic presence in Yemen

  • London (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 15:43

    Ireland-based Ryanair pilots to strike on December 20

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:44

    Stoltenberg reappointed as NATO chief until 2020: statement

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:28

    World Bank to stop financing oil, gas projects from 2019

  • Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 13:22

    Two Palestinians killed in Gaza, Israel denies claim of attack

  • Juba (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:54

    S.Sudan clashes leave more than 170 dead: lawmaker

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 12:00

    Macron calls for 'much stronger mobilisation' on climate

  • Phnom Penh (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 11:23

    EU pulls support for Cambodia poll after opposition dissolved

  • Tehran (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 10:18

    Magnitude 6.2 quake hits southeastern Iran: seismological centre

  • Vienna (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 09:51

    Explosion at major Austrian gas hub, 'several' hurt

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/12/2017 - 08:14

    France's Unibail-Rodamco to buy Australia's Westfield: statement

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:11

    Trump wants Congress to fix 'lax' immigration after NY attack

  • Sydney (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 23:10

    ANZ Bank sells life insurance arm to Zurich for US$2.14 bn

  • Washington (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 21:25

    Trump tells NASA to send Americans to Moon

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 18:34

    Apple to buy song recognition app Shazam

  • London (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 17:05

    Brexit deal shows UK can leave EU in 'smooth and orderly' way: May

  • United Nations (United States) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:55

    China fails to block UN meeting on North Korea human rights

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:25

    Four hurt in New York explosion, none life-threatening

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Man held over jihadist murders of French police couple

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 15:11

    Putin calls for Mideast talks to resume, including on Jerusalem

  • Los Angeles (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:55

    'The Shape of Water' leads Golden Globe nominations with seven

  • Cairo (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:35

    Cairo, Moscow sign contract for Egypt's first nuclear plant

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 14:03

    Police responding to explosion of 'unknown origin' in Manhattan

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:18

    Putin orders partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria: agencies

  • New Delhi (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:10

    India's Congress party names Rahul Gandhi president

  • Moscow (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 11:06

    Putin in surprise visit to Russia's airbase in Syria

  • Riyadh (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 09:43

    Saudi Arabia lifts ban on cinemas: government

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:50

    Recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital 'makes peace possible': Netanyahu

  • Brussels (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 08:46

    EU's Mogherini condemns 'all attacks on Jews everywhere'

  • Manila (Philippines) (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 05:35

    Philippines' Duterte seeks martial law extension for south

  • New York (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:28

    Bitcoin makes stock exchange debut at $15,000 Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit Bitcoin makes debut on major stock exchange at $15,000 per unit

  • Caracas (AFP) - 12/11/2017 - 00:11

    Main opposition parties barred from next presidential vote: Venezuela's Maduro

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 21:49

    Palestinians 'walking away' from talks with Pence snub: US

  • Doha (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 18:20

    Qatar signs $8-bln deal to buy 24 Typhoon fighters from UK

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:24

    Macron urges Netanyahu to freeze Israeli settlement building

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:08

    Netanyahu accuses Erdogan of helping 'terrorists'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 17:03

    Macron urges Netanyahu to show 'courage' with Palestinians

  • Aden (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 16:22

    Air raids on Yemen rebel training camp kill 26: security sources

  • Calais (France) (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 14:24

    Ferry runs aground at France's Calais port: official

  • Vatican City (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:33

    Pope renews call for 'wisdom and prudence' over Jerusalem: Vatican

  • Istanbul (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 13:13

    Erdogan calls Israel 'terrorist state'

  • Paris (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 12:57

    Major recall of Lactalis baby milk over salmonella fears

  • Jerusalem (AFP) - 12/10/2017 - 11:14

    Israel says demolishes tunnel from Gaza into its territory

You are here

News

In food waste fight, Brits turn bread into beer

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Cellarman and brewer Tony O'Rourke-Kilburn throws stale bread into giant kettles during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

At a brewery nestled in rolling farmland in northern England, the process of making beer begins with dropping dozens of unwanted loaf ends, thrown away by a sandwich factory, into a large stainless steel tank.

Add water, hops and yeast, and out comes the unmistakable golden beverage popular the world over.

"We're essentially substituting part of the malt for bread," says Alex Balchin, head of the Wold Top Brewery, near Driffield in Yorkshire, of the brew which has no discernible bread-like taste.

The brewery uses some of the tonnes of discarded uneaten bread in Britain to produce beer in support of an initiative fighting food waste -- and the idea is being exported around the world.

Behind the concept of Toast Ale is Tristram Stuart, who set up Feedback, an anti-food waste organisation.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Stale bread pictured in giant kettles during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

He began producing the beverage last year, drawing inspiration from a small Belgian microbrewery -- Brussels Beer Project -- that started making a beer from leftover bread, called "Babylone", in 2015.

"They explained to me that the ancient Babylonians actually invented beer to preserve bread and other grains that otherwise would be wasted," says 40-year-old Stuart.

"That was the original purpose of the drink."

- 'Bloomin' lovely' -

Stuart's research has found that "industrial quantities" of bread are being wasted globally, more than food aid charities can utilise, while the global craft beer brewing movement has continued to flourish.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Brewery and bottling Manager Alex Balchin pours a glass of Toast Ale made from stale bread, hops and barley at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

"I wanted to set up a company that matches up local sources of wasted bread, local brewers, local non-profits, and build Toast Ale into a global company that turns bread that is perfectly good into beer that is even better," Stuart says.

The profits, after partner brewers have claimed their production expenses, are donated to Feedback, while any grains left after brewing are recycled to feed livestock.

His first Toast Ale was produced on the TV show of British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who declared it "bloomin' lovely".

Now the Toast Ale concept comes in lager or pale ale varieties, while some partner breweries have come up with their own versions too, such as the Bread Pudding created by the Bristol-based Wiper and True.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Temperature settings are checked during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

At Wold Top, the brewers started out with traditional loaves, using white and brown sliced bread, Balchin says.

"Now we are experimenting with other things as well, finger rolls, some buns and various sorts of things," he adds.

"We've tried all sort of breads and they all seem to work so far."

In Britain, 9.8 tonnes of bread have already been used to produce more than 300,000 beers, sold for between 2.5 and three pounds each (between 2.8 and 3.4 euros, $1.3 - $4.0), a similar price to other craft beers.

It is a small step for the environment, but there is a lot left to do.

Some 44 percent of the bread produced in Britain ends up in the rubbish, nearly 900,000 tonnes annually, making it the most wasted food item.

"It is deeply depressing if you look at what is going on globally," says Stuart.

"But the solution of this problem turns (out) to be delicious."

AFP / Lindsey PARNABY Stale bread used for brewing Toast Ale pictured at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

- The paradox -

His business has grown fast, with Toast Ale currently being brewed in New York, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town.

His recipe for turning bread into beer has also been posted on the internet so anyone can learn how to brew it and make their own contribution to reducing food waste.

"That's now been downloaded 16,000 times, it really is being used by a lot of people," Stuart enthuses.

He now wants to develop a licence for any brewer in the world to commercially produce the ale, in association with local unsold bread suppliers.

But, with the ultimate goal of Feedback to reduce the massive production of bread, Stuart faces a paradox in his venture.

"We hope to end our business," he says.

"The day the bread is no longer thrown in the trash, Toast Ale will have no more reason to be."

Home

News

News

In food waste fight, Brits turn bread into beer

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Cellarman and brewer Tony O'Rourke-Kilburn throws stale bread into giant kettles during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

At a brewery nestled in rolling farmland in northern England, the process of making beer begins with dropping dozens of unwanted loaf ends, thrown away by a sandwich factory, into a large stainless steel tank.

Add water, hops and yeast, and out comes the unmistakable golden beverage popular the world over.

"We're essentially substituting part of the malt for bread," says Alex Balchin, head of the Wold Top Brewery, near Driffield in Yorkshire, of the brew which has no discernible bread-like taste.

The brewery uses some of the tonnes of discarded uneaten bread in Britain to produce beer in support of an initiative fighting food waste -- and the idea is being exported around the world.

Behind the concept of Toast Ale is Tristram Stuart, who set up Feedback, an anti-food waste organisation.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Stale bread pictured in giant kettles during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

He began producing the beverage last year, drawing inspiration from a small Belgian microbrewery -- Brussels Beer Project -- that started making a beer from leftover bread, called "Babylone", in 2015.

"They explained to me that the ancient Babylonians actually invented beer to preserve bread and other grains that otherwise would be wasted," says 40-year-old Stuart.

"That was the original purpose of the drink."

- 'Bloomin' lovely' -

Stuart's research has found that "industrial quantities" of bread are being wasted globally, more than food aid charities can utilise, while the global craft beer brewing movement has continued to flourish.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Brewery and bottling Manager Alex Balchin pours a glass of Toast Ale made from stale bread, hops and barley at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

"I wanted to set up a company that matches up local sources of wasted bread, local brewers, local non-profits, and build Toast Ale into a global company that turns bread that is perfectly good into beer that is even better," Stuart says.

The profits, after partner brewers have claimed their production expenses, are donated to Feedback, while any grains left after brewing are recycled to feed livestock.

His first Toast Ale was produced on the TV show of British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who declared it "bloomin' lovely".

Now the Toast Ale concept comes in lager or pale ale varieties, while some partner breweries have come up with their own versions too, such as the Bread Pudding created by the Bristol-based Wiper and True.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Temperature settings are checked during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

At Wold Top, the brewers started out with traditional loaves, using white and brown sliced bread, Balchin says.

"Now we are experimenting with other things as well, finger rolls, some buns and various sorts of things," he adds.

"We've tried all sort of breads and they all seem to work so far."

In Britain, 9.8 tonnes of bread have already been used to produce more than 300,000 beers, sold for between 2.5 and three pounds each (between 2.8 and 3.4 euros, $1.3 - $4.0), a similar price to other craft beers.

It is a small step for the environment, but there is a lot left to do.

Some 44 percent of the bread produced in Britain ends up in the rubbish, nearly 900,000 tonnes annually, making it the most wasted food item.

"It is deeply depressing if you look at what is going on globally," says Stuart.

"But the solution of this problem turns (out) to be delicious."

AFP / Lindsey PARNABY Stale bread used for brewing Toast Ale pictured at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

- The paradox -

His business has grown fast, with Toast Ale currently being brewed in New York, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town.

His recipe for turning bread into beer has also been posted on the internet so anyone can learn how to brew it and make their own contribution to reducing food waste.

"That's now been downloaded 16,000 times, it really is being used by a lot of people," Stuart enthuses.

He now wants to develop a licence for any brewer in the world to commercially produce the ale, in association with local unsold bread suppliers.

But, with the ultimate goal of Feedback to reduce the massive production of bread, Stuart faces a paradox in his venture.

"We hope to end our business," he says.

"The day the bread is no longer thrown in the trash, Toast Ale will have no more reason to be."

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Cellarman and brewer Tony O'Rourke-Kilburn throws stale bread into giant kettles during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

At a brewery nestled in rolling farmland in northern England, the process of making beer begins with dropping dozens of unwanted loaf ends, thrown away by a sandwich factory, into a large stainless steel tank.

Add water, hops and yeast, and out comes the unmistakable golden beverage popular the world over.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Stale bread pictured in giant kettles during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

He began producing the beverage last year, drawing inspiration from a small Belgian microbrewery -- Brussels Beer Project -- that started making a beer from leftover bread, called "Babylone", in 2015.

"They explained to me that the ancient Babylonians actually invented beer to preserve bread and other grains that otherwise would be wasted," says 40-year-old Stuart.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Brewery and bottling Manager Alex Balchin pours a glass of Toast Ale made from stale bread, hops and barley at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

"I wanted to set up a company that matches up local sources of wasted bread, local brewers, local non-profits, and build Toast Ale into a global company that turns bread that is perfectly good into beer that is even better," Stuart says.

The profits, after partner brewers have claimed their production expenses, are donated to Feedback, while any grains left after brewing are recycled to feed livestock.

AFP/File / Lindsey PARNABY Temperature settings are checked during the process of brewing Toast Ale from stale bread, barley and hops at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

At Wold Top, the brewers started out with traditional loaves, using white and brown sliced bread, Balchin says.

"Now we are experimenting with other things as well, finger rolls, some buns and various sorts of things," he adds.

AFP / Lindsey PARNABY Stale bread used for brewing Toast Ale pictured at the Wolds Top Brewery in north Yorkshire, England on November 23, 2017

- The paradox -

His business has grown fast, with Toast Ale currently being brewed in New York, Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town.

12 Dec 2017

AFP's worldwide network

The global network of Agence France Presse covers 151 countries

Find out more

Contact us

If you have news to share or a question, comment or suggestion, contact us via...

If you have news to share or a question, comment or suggestion, contact us via...
  • MAIL
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

    • Subsidiaries