CO2Brew, a company focused on sustainable brewing solutions, has developed a carbon dioxide recovery system designed for small and medium-sized craft breweries. The system captures CO₂ produced during fermentation and makes it available for reuse in the brewing process. This reduces reliance on externally sourced industrial CO₂, which is often derived from fossil fuels, and helps breweries become more self-sufficient and environmentally responsible.
The system addresses both sustainability and operational concerns. Breweries can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, avoid supply disruptions, and lower costs by capturing and reusing their own CO₂ which is made beverage-grade with the CO2Brew system.
To support its business development strategy, CO2Brew also turned to artificial intelligence. The team used open-source tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to conduct market analysis, evaluate industry trends, and identify customer needs. These AI-powered insights helped the company refine its product offering, identify potential brewery partners, and streamline internal planning.
According to CO2Brew, one of the key benefits of using AI was the ability to quickly process large amounts of information. The tools supported faster, more confident decision-making and helped validate the company’s go-to-market strategy. What might have taken weeks of manual research could now be completed in a fraction of the time.
The project also influenced how the company operates. By using AI in everyday workflows, CO2Brew developed a more data-driven culture. Team members became more comfortable using technology to guide strategy and track progress, leading to a more agile and efficient approach overall.
For breweries, the benefits are both environmental and practical. The CO₂ recovery system helps reduce emissions while ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality CO₂ for production. For CO2Brew, the combination of technical innovation and market intelligence helped accelerate adoption and build stronger relationships with customers.
This article is part of Innovation+ in the Plus 15, a special editorial series from the Calgary Innovation Peer Forum and Digital Journal that explores how Calgary-based companies are innovating.
