A San Francisco cleantech company is turning heads—and challenging long-held assumptions—by brewing beer from recycled building water. Epic Cleantec has launched two commercial beers made using highly purified graywater sourced from showers, laundry, and bathroom sinks. The initiative aims to shift public perception around water reuse and spark broader conversations on sustainability.
Story Highlights
- Epic Cleantec, a San Francisco cleantech company, has launched two commercial beers brewed using highly purified graywater sourced from showers, laundry, and bathroom sinks.
- The initiative aims to overcome the “eww factor” and shift public perception toward normalizing water reuse technologies.
- The recycled water comes from the on-site recycling system at The Fifteen Fifty, a 40-story luxury apartment building.
- The first two commercial releases are Shower Hour IPA (a crisp, juicy IPA) and Laundry Club Kölsch (a light, smooth golden ale).
Overcoming the “Eww” Factor
The idea of drinking water that once flowed down drains can be unsettling for many people. Epic Cleantec acknowledges this initial reaction, referring to the psychological hurdle as the “eww factor.” However, the company emphasizes that the water used in its products is not raw wastewater but graywater that has undergone a sophisticated purification process.
Using advanced filtration and treatment technologies, the graywater is purified until it reaches a standard the company says is “better than tap water in most cities in America.” This exceptionally clean water is then used to brew beer in partnership with Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, creating a unique way to demonstrate the viability of water reuse.
Beer made from bath and laundry water hits shelves: eww or brew? https://t.co/g8rtxJcoPc pic.twitter.com/mrU7RQwy8G
— New York Post (@nypost) November 26, 2025
A First-of-Its-Kind Brewing Process
The water used for the beers comes from the Fifteen Fifty, a 40-story luxury apartment building equipped with an on-site recycling system. Before being used for brewing, the water goes through several phases of purification, including: Biological treatment to remove organic matter, Microfiltration and ultrafiltration, passing through membranes as fine as 0.04 microns, UV and chlorine disinfection for pathogen removal, and finally, Activated-carbon and reverse osmosis filtration for additional refinement in the commercial batches. The final product meets or exceeds federal drinking water standards, making it safe for both consumption and brewing.
The Beers: Shower Hour IPA & Laundry Club Kölsch
Epic Cleantec has released two beers, now available online and in select stores across several states: Shower Hour IPA – A crisp, juicy India Pale Ale brewed with Azacca hops, Fonio grain, and Kveik yeast, known for its fast, energy-efficient fermentation. Laundry Club Kölsch – A light, smooth golden ale crafted to appeal to drinkers who enjoy bright, easygoing beers.
These beers mark the first time highly purified recycled building water has been used in a product available for commercial purchase.
Availability and Early History
The new commercial release debuted on November 18, 2025, expanding on an earlier educational effort. In 2022, Epic Cleantec created an initial non-commercial brew called OneWater Brew, which was not sold due to regulatory limits but became widely recognized. Their water-recycling system was even featured in TIME magazine’s list of Best Inventions of the Year.
Today, the beers can be purchased in California, Virginia, Oregon, Ohio, Kentucky, Vermont, and Alaska—bringing recycled-water brewing to a national audience.
Beer Brewed from Recycled Shower and Laundry Water Hits Store Shelves in the US
Changing Perceptions of Recycled Water
Epic Cleantec’s mission extends beyond the beer itself. The company hopes to normalize advanced water reuse technologies at a time when water scarcity, infrastructure strain, and climate pressures are intensifying worldwide. By demonstrating that recycled water can be clean, safe, and even enjoyable in a familiar form like beer, they aim to shift public understanding. CEO Aaron Tartakovsky often summarizes the message simply: “All water on this planet is recycled.”
A beer brewed from laundry and shower water just launched in multiple states — including Ohio. Would you take a sip?
MORE HERE: https://t.co/XAZdsg84FT pic.twitter.com/jm4fKqedF5— WTRF 7News (@WTRF7News) November 23, 2025
Sources
- Beer made from bath and laundry water hits shelves: eww or brew?
- Beer made from recycled shower and laundry water available in select states.
- Beer made from bath and laundry water hits shelves: eww or brew?
