Patagonia's Latest Venture In Sustainability Is Beer

Patagonia, the camping-gear brand that also sells salmon and made a documentary about how to grow sustainable foods, is now delving into the world of beer-making through its Patagonia Provisions line. The Long Root Ale is described as a "Northwest-style pale ale," Modern Farmer reports, and is brewed in partnership with Portland, Oregon–based Hopworks Urban Brewery.

But it's not any brew that the outdoorsy winter-wear brand is slinging. The organic beer is brewed with kernza, an entirely new sustainable grain. The wheatgrass grain, according to Modern Farmer, is originally from Kansas and is only a few years old. It's also a perennial grain with roots that can grow up to 10 feet long, meaning it does not need to be replanted every year, which lessens the amount of erosion and carbon that normally occurs with reseeding wheat. Kernza also uses less water, making it a very sustainable crop overall.

The ale is currently available only in Washington, Oregon and California at stores like Whole Foods.