Earth-Powered Brewery Taps Deepest Hot Spring in the World (9 News)
Riff Raff Brewing co-founder Randy Schnose helps run one of only two “earth-powered” breweries in the nation. Riff Raff uses advanced technology to tap into an ancient energy source, and does it all in a 120-year-old building.
“We’ve got such an old building with so much character housing so much technology,” Schnose said.
It’s also providing an example for other businesses. “We have this fantastic resource literally in our backyard,” said Madeline Bergon, who runs marketing and events for Riff Raff. “We as a business and community are showing people alternative resource possibilities.”
The brewery happens to be one of 31 sites that can tap into a downtown geothermal heating district, which uses 144°F water to heat sidewalks, schools and buildings from October to April. The district was originally funded by a federal grant, and is operated by the city of Pagosa Springs.
The geothermal pipes tap into the deepest hot spring in the world. It’s even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The geothermal system heats the brewery, kitchen and restaurant, as well as a couple of upstairs vacation rentals. And it melts the snow on the brewery’s back lot.
The system preheats the brewery water, but Schnose points out that the brewery only uses pure river water that is heated through geothermal pipes. No worries that your beer will have the aroma or the heavy minerals of hot springs water.
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