In honor of its efforts and dedication to environmental excellence, Norfolk’s Coelacanth Brewing Company has become Coastal Virginia’s first certified Green Brewery by virtue of its recognition as the 2019 Green Brewery of the Year by the Virginia Green program. The urban brewery was presented this prestigious title on Thursday, April 25 at the concluding luncheon of the 6th Annual Virginia Green Travel Conference in Harrisonburg.
Hosting the luncheon at the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center were First Lady of Virginia Pam Northam and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation Rita McClenny. McClenny’s organization is one of five partners spearheading the Virginia Green program. Due to its outstanding work to protect the environment and advocacy for green tourism, Coelacanth joins the more than 1,800 businesses and organizations to certify their green commitments through the Virginia Green program.
“We are excited and proud to be recognized by the state for our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and leave a better Virginia for our children,” says owner of Coelacanth Kevin Erskine. “As Hampton Roads’ first certified Green Brewery, we invite other breweries to join us in our commitment to reduce the environmental impacts of producing great beer.”
Tom Griffin, executive director of the Virginia Green Travel Alliance, adds, “We are incredibly proud to recognize Coelacanth Brewing as the Virginia Green Brewery of the Year. The growth of the Virginia Green program statewide has been remarkable, and our award program is a celebration of that progress.”
Coelacanth Brewing also received the Virginia Green Travel Leader Award in 2016 and 2017.
Grace Silipigni
Grace Silipigni is an elementary school Spanish immersion teacher based in Virginia Beach and a regular contributor to Coastal Virginia Magazine, covering a wide range of topics such as health and wellness, education and learning, food and drink, happenings and events, travel and getaways and more.
