Maku Brewing, a Finnish brewery, proudly unveiled a groundbreaking addition to its repertoire with the launch of Härkönen Papu Ale, a beer that creatively incorporates malted broad beans, setting a new standard for sustainability in brewing practices. Representing a first in Finland and likely one of the world’s premier commercial brews featuring malted broad beans, this ale is crafted using approximately 20% of broad beans sourced from local Finnish farms. Surprisingly, these beans impart no distinct flavor characteristics to the brew, showcasing the brewery’s commitment to both environmental consciousness and taste.
Jussi Tamminen, the founder of Maku Brewing, explained the motivation behind this innovative venture, stating, “We wanted to discover a new way to brew beer so that it, along with the ingredients, puts as small a burden on the environment as possible. In addition to environmental considerations, it was important to develop a beer from the new ingredient that also tastes good.”
The collaborative effort with Viking Malt, a key partner in the project, brought this unique ale to life. Annika Wilhelmsson, Director of Innovation, Marketing, and Responsibility at Viking Malt, expressed her enthusiasm for exploring novel applications of broad beans, an ingredient deeply rooted in Finnish agriculture since the 600s. The malting of broad beans was initially undertaken for various segments of the food industry, but Maku Brewing’s project provided an opportunity to create an innovation fostering sustainable agriculture and supporting natural diversity.
The initiative aligns with two prevailing trends: the ongoing shift towards more sustainable production methods and the growing consumer interest in exotic and experimental foods and beverages. Beyond its role in brewing, broad beans are widely used in crop rotation, absorbing nitrogen from the air into the soil and diminishing the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
Marjo Keskitalo, Senior Researcher at the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), emphasized the broader impact, stating, “Using broad beans in beer encourages expanding its farming, and in the future, even beer choices can reduce the dependence on plant production from fossil inputs.”
Mikko Kovalainen, Head of Fresh Produce Sales at SOK, noted the changing preferences of Finnish beer consumers, stating, “Finnish beer consumers are increasingly investing in experiences and are increasingly willing to experiment.”
With the introduction of Härkönen Papu Ale, Maku Brewing not only ventures into uncharted brewing territory but also contributes to the evolution of sustainable practices within the brewing industry.