At this year's U.N. climate talks held in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Singapore delegation is making headlines with its unique offering: FREE beer made from recycled wastewater. Dubbed NEWBrew, this pilsner not only serves as refreshment but also as a conversation starter about sustainability and innovative water management practices.
Encased in cheerful pastel cans adorned with illustrations of solar panels and cityscapes, NEWBrew is far more than just another free drink at the conference. Observers and delegates alike had their eyebrows raised when they learned its surprising origins. "I didn't know. I was really surprised," admitted Ignace Urchil Lokouako Mbouamboua, who had just cracked open his can. He quickly became hooked, sampling the beer for the third straight day. "I can even suggest they make more and more of this kind of beer," he said enthusiastically.
NEWBrew is created using NEWater, Singapore's term for treated wastewater, showcasing the city's efforts to confront its severe water scarcity issues. With its limited natural water sources and growing demand, Singapore has invested heavily in water recycling technologies. The beer is part of Singapore’s broader campaign to normalize the use of recycled water, particularly as climate change creates more uncertainty around global water supplies.
"It's part of the acceptance of the use of recycled water, which is, in general, a difficult topic," says Ong Tze-Ch'in, chief executive of Singapore's Public Utilities Board (PUB). The agency partnered with local brewery Brewerkz to develop and distribute NEWBrew, which first made its appearance at the International Water Week back in 2018.
Since then, it has become something of a festive ambassador for the water recycling cause, served mainly at conferences and trade shows. Ong remembers the skepticism. "We did many things to drive acceptance," he added. His work with the brewery has allowed him to play a role in the beer's flavor selection as well, personally choosing the "modern pilsner" profile. "You know, beer is always very subjective," he chuckled.
For the residents of Singapore, drinking NEWater is not uncommon; both educational campaigns and earlier public figures consuming it have aided its acceptance. The idea of sipping such beverages still raises eyebrows for visitors from elsewhere, but as starved for refreshment as they are at the conference, delegates are warming up to the idea.
One attendee, Pat Heslop-Harrison, unaware of the source of his drink until after taking the first sip, stated, "It’s fresh and not so bitter." Meanwhile, Julian Reingold, reporting from Athens, humorously suggested, "If we were to drink more of this beer, I don’t know how the negotiations would turn out. Maybe it would be for the best!"
Despite the novelty—many participants humorously referring to it as "sewage beer"—the discussions surrounding water scarcity remain serious. Today, approximately half of the world’s population grapples with clean water access for at least part of the year, as emphasized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. With each degree of global warming, the intensity of droughts and floods also escalates, exacerbation of issues surrounding water availability.
Singapore, faced with these challenges, has long recognized the need for comprehensive solutions to water scarcity. Using desalination technologies, catchment systems, and innovative recycling methods, the city seeks to bolster its water supplies—an initiative projected to need double the supply by 2065.
The U.N. climate summit serves as more than just policy dialogue; it's also about introducing innovations like NEWBrew to diverse international audiences who may resist or misunderstand similar initiatives back home. The reception of the beer has prompted conversations—both humorous and serious—on public perceptions of treated wastewater.
Wee-Tuck Tan, managing director of The Brewerkz Group, revealed they produce over 5,000 liters or roughly 15,000 cans for each edition of NEWBrew, available at approximately 7 Singapore dollars per can when purchased outside the conference. It's no small venture, but Tan believes it has helped change public perceptions within Singapore. "When put in beer form, it changes the mindset. Most people can’t tell the difference," he stated confidently.
Water scarcity is increasingly pressing, and experts like Saroj Kumar Jha, World Bank Group's global water department director, encourage the rebranding of "wastewater" to "used water" to detach from negative connotations. Through global discussions and initiatives like NEWBrew, they hope to shift perceptions about sustainability and recycling.
At the Singapore pavilion, delegates continue to enjoy sipping from their pastel cans, eager to try this unconventional climate message. The beer not only stands out for its origin but also reminds countless attendees of the pressing water issues they face and creative responses to them. If laughs, conversations, and tasting this unique craft beer can spark change, then NEWBrew is the right choice for COP29.
