Abandoned Building Brewery Earns BetterBev Recognition

PR / Easthampton, MA (April 2026) – Easthampton brewery Abandoned Building Brewery (ABB) has been recognized as a “green beverage producer” by the BetterBev program. The distinction was awarded by the Energy Transition Institute at UMass Amherst, which serves as one of the administrators of the BetterBev recognition program through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pollution Prevention Program. ABB joins a growing number of beverage producers in Massachusetts and beyond that have earned recognition for their environmentally conscious business practices. While brewing is resource-intensive by nature, there are many opportunities for most businesses to reduce their environmental impact while also improving their bottom line.

Among the factors that make ABB a leader in sustainability is its efficient resource use through efficient system design and rigorous operating procedures. For example, after running cold water through a heat exchanger to cool beer down for the fermentation process, ABB captures and reuses that water for purposes such as cleaning, rather than draining it directly to the sewer.

Other efficiency measures that helped ABB achieve recognition include use of BrewOps Purge technology to cut purchased CO2 consumption by reducing purge time, receiving bulk malt/grain shipments (which decreases delivery emissions and packaging waste) with the use of a super sack setup, and thorough insulation throughout the 15-barrel steam-powered brew house.

The BetterBev program was launched to help beverage producers understand their environmental impact, increase efficiency, improve health and safety, conserve natural resources, and improve their businesses. Recognition is earned after a beverage producer’s local BetterBev administrator works with them to assess their environmental practices and impact. The process covers a range of criteria including water and energy use, waste, and even environmental culture. Learn more at betterbev.org.

About Abandoned Building Brewery

Established in 2013, Matt Tarlecki transformed a once plastic bag manufacturing space in a mill building in Easthampton, MA, named “The Brickyard,” into his vision of the brewery that stands today. He performed limited renovations in order to maintain the ambiance while successfully navigating the permitting side of brewing. He was granted a Federal Brewer’s Notice in October 2013 and a state Farmer-Brewery License the next month. Ever since, the award-winning brewery has been brewing classic and modern American and Belgian Ales for all to enjoy.