Is this not cool or what? Molson Coors Brewing Company, also known as Coors Brewing Company, will be the official E85 Ethanol Producer for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. What does that mean? Coors is converting their wasted beer that is lost in packaging or deemed "below quality standards", and are turning it into E85 ethanol gasoline to power your pickup truck, or in this case a fleet of vehicles for the convention. I think that deserves a whole round on the house!

Official Press Release

The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee today announced that Molson Coors Brewing Company, a Host Committee sponsor and a leading global brewer, along with its U.S. subsidiary, Coors Brewing Company, will be the Official E85 Ethanol Producer for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Molson Coors is donating all the clean-burning ethanol fuel for the fleet of General Motors flex-fuel vehicles to be used for Convention transportation needs. Coors' ethanol differs from the more common corn-based variety in that it is made from waste beer generated at their Golden, Colo., brewery.

"From fueling a national conversation about sustainability to fueling convention vehicles, we're working toward a green convention on every front," said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. "This flex-fuel initiative highlights Colorado's historic status as an energy and beer capital as well as its reputation for environmental and economic innovation. We are grateful for Molson Coors' donation of cleaner-burning fuel to ensure we host the greenest national political convention to date."

Coors is the nation's first major brewer to convert its waste beer into ethanol. The company began recycling waste beer - beer lost during packaging or deemed below quality standards - and converting it to ethanol in 1996, in a facility owned by Merrick & Company and operated by Coors. Today the Golden ethanol facility produces about three million gallons of ethanol per year. The production of ethanol from waste beer also helps Coors eliminate about 70 tons of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from its emissions annually.

"By turning waste into fuel, Molson Coors illustrates the innovative spirit that is making Colorado and our New Energy Economy a leader in creating sustainable energy sources," Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter said. "The upcoming Convention will be the perfect opportunity to showcase Colorado's accomplishments in developing advanced renewable fuels. I applaud Molson Coors and Coors for helping us do so."

Fuel mixed with ethanol from the Coors facility will help power a fleet of vehicles provided by General Motors, the Official Vehicle Provider of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. This fleet, which includes vehicles with biofuel capabilities and hybrid technology, will provide transportation for numerous delegates, staff, members of the media and other special Convention guests.

"Minimizing our impact on the environment is the right thing to do and it's good for our business," said Molson Coors CEO Leo Kiely. "Bill Coors used to say that waste was a resource out of place - that thinking still drives us today to recycle, reuse and reduce our consumption of energy and materials when and where we can. We are pleased that our waste beer can fuel the convention fleet and help support an environmentally conscious convention."

In addition to the ethanol sponsorship, Molson Coors will provide beer for select Host Committee convention and pre-convention events, meetings, media briefings, and VIP events. The company is a Presidential-level sponsor through cash and in-kind services donated to the Convention Host Committee.

Molson Coors.