Half Moon Bay Brewing Company becomes first
"Green" certified business on the San Mateo coast

April 15, 2008

Restaurant Recognized for Environmentally-Friendly Practices - Just In Time For Earth Day

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (April 15, 2008) - Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, the coastside's favorite restaurant and brewery, has become the San Mateo County Coast's first business to be certified as "green" - just in time for Earth Day! The family-owned establishment teamed up with the County of San Mateo, PG&E, the Bay Area Green Business Program and the Coastside County Water District to obtain the certification from the Bay Area Green Business Program, which recognized Half Moon Bay Brewing Company's commitment to helping the environment by conserving energy and water, eliminating waste, pollution prevention and using resources more proficiently.

"We are so proud to have earned this certification as we have always been a pioneer in the community for our environmental efforts and it's great to have received this recognition from the Bay Area Green Business Program," said Half Moon Bay Brewing Company Co-owner Mike Laffen. "Since we opened our doors in 2000, we have been committed to doing our part to help the environment whether it be recycling spent grains from the brewing process or using local products and fish from local purveyors such as Harley Farms and Outland Java Coffee. We look forward to continuing to expand on our efforts in the years to come!"

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company met and exceeded a number of requirements in order to gain certification as a Green Business, including:

Waste Reduction and Recycling: The brewing company recycles all its spent grains from the beer brewing process - giving it to a local pig farmer for feed. In fact, since the brewery's opening, it has recycled more than 200,000 pounds of this spent grain! Recycling throughout the property is mandatory as well for glass, plastics, paper and cardboard.

Pollution Prevention: In the past seven years, the brewing company has donated 296,000 pounds of used cooking oil and will continue to do so for use in a fleet of biodiesel trucks. The restaurant also strives to use local Half Moon Bay Brewing Company Certified "Green" - Page Two goods, food and products from local farmers and fishermen to support the local economy and eliminate travel-time and therefore gasoline, helping carbon emissions.

Products Used: Half Moon Bay Brewing Company adheres to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seawatch Program by using replenishable food and non-endangered fish (and wild when possible). Products used in restrooms and throughout the restaurant include those produced with a high percentage of recycled content and bulk dispensing soap is used to reduce packaging rubbish. Additionally, no styrofoam is used and restaurant management uses recycled paper and the cleaning products are environmentally preferred.

Water and Electricity Conservation: All lighting in restrooms are on motion sensor timing so when unoccupied, the lights are off to help conserve electricity. ENERGY STAR equipment is also used in the restaurant and to help eliminate water waste, the restaurant has drought tolerant landscaping. Additionally, the kitchen thaws food in the refrigerator rather than under running water and uses low-flow pre-rinse spray valves.

"I think we've reached a tipping point where everyone, including businesses, are doing their part to address environmental issues," said Danielle Lee with the San Mateo County Green Business Program. "The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company has shown itself to be a leader in this effort, from its innovative composting of materials left over from the brewing process to donating its used cooking oil."

In addition to the environmentally-friendly practices implemented to obtain certification, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company also values its commitment to use top-notch ingredients in its cooking practices. In fact, the restaurant does not use saturated trans fats in the cooking process (fried food is done in Canola or Rice bran oil); many of the breads and desserts are home made using all natural or organic ingredients whenever possible/available; and produce is always fresh, local and organic when possible/available.

In keeping with its commitment to giving back to the community, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company has also donated more than $200,000 to local charitable organizations such as The Cabrillo Unified School District and thousands of dollars to various Asia Earthquake/Tsunami charities and Half Moon Bay High School scholarships. The brewery also sponsors numerous local events such as the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, Fog Fest, Pacific Coast Dream Machines and others.

"It has always been our goal to provide a family-friendly restaurant that not only has amazing food and hand crafted brews, but also maintains an environmentally-friendly stance and gives back to the community," said Half Moon Bay Brewing Company Director of Marketing Wayne Meyer. "Since we opened, we have poured more than 800,000 world famous brews; served more than 90,000 Mavericks Burgers and more than 75,000 plates of our famous fish and chips; and have used more than 700,000 pounds of potatoes for hand-crafted, trans-fat free french fries all while staying true to our 'green' roots."

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company is a warm, friendly oceanfront restaurant and brew pub that features live music five nights a week. Since its opening in 2000, the brewery has been the ideal ending or beginning to an active day at the coast, providing the best location for visitors to relax on the patio and enjoy a brew and award winning cuisine while taking in the sweeping Pacific Ocean views. The brewery is located just north of Half Moon Bay, next to the famous Mavericks surf break, which is home to some of the world's toughest big wave surfing. It is just 30 miles south of San Francisco off Highway 1 at 390 Capistrano Road, Princeton-by-the-Sea, Calif., 94019. For more information call 650/728-BREW