Beijing’s Jing-A Brewing Co to produce a limited-edition West Coast IPA in October using eco-friendly grain, fonio
Beijing-based brewery Jing-A Brewing Co is set to release a West Coast IPA made with the West African grain fonio this October as part of the global Brewing for Impact initiative. Brewing for Impact is an international collaboration currently between breweries from seven countries to produce beer using the versatile, ancient African grain.
Under the initiative, the breweries will create a series of limited-edition beers that will spotlight fonio’s remarkable qualities. Each brewery will craft a unique beer highlighting fonio’s exceptional qualities, with the series rolling out through 2024.
Fonio brewing is being championed by the US-based Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster, Garrett Oliver, whose brewing exploration with fonio was inspired by the esteemed Senegalese chef, Pierre Thiam. Thiam’s pioneering food company, Yolélé, has played a pivotal role in introducing fonio to the rest of the world.
“In some ways, ‘Brewing for Impact’ is the most important work I’ve ever done,” said Oliver. “If what we’ve started truly catches hold in the industry, we will hopefully start seeing the wider use of a grain that has no need for irrigation, fertilisers, pesticides, or other chemical inputs”.
Jing-A’s involvement highlights the global brewing community’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, bridging continents from Asia to Africa. Other participating brewers include Maison Kalao from Senegal, Thornbridge from the United Kingdom, Omnipollo from Sweden, Carlsberg from Denmark, Russian River from the United States, and Guinness from Ireland.
Brewing for Impact not only showcases fonio’s brewing potential, but also supports soil regeneration and provides vital income for predominantly female-led smallholder farms in West Africa. It also supports The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling, which funds scholarships for indigenous and people of colour candidates within the brewing and distilling trades.
