Stone Brewing is breaking new ground by becoming the first to try making beer using water that "comes from the toilet."
On Thursday, at the Stone Brewing location at Liberty Station, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer was among the first to drink the Full Circle Pale Ale.
Stone Brewing Senior Manager of Brewing and Innovation Steve Gonzalez created the beer that uses recycled water, and it ended up being one of his favorites.
He was skeptical, at first, to brew it with recycled water from the Pure Water San Diego program. Now, Gonzalez said, "Among the pale ales that I've made, it's probably in the top three."
After taking a drink, Faulconer called the beer "delicious."
Gonzalez said those who drink the beer will "get some caramel notes, some tropical fruit notes. It's a very clean tasting beer."
Some at the event had reservations before trying it, but beer taster Shane Trussell said, "[I thought] that it would have an off taste or be something different to it … it's outstanding."
Another drinker said, "I love it. It's hoppy; it's delicious."
For those who may be on the fence about giving the Full Circle Pale Ale a sip, Gonzalez said: "Try it first, I suppose. You won't be disappointed."
The Full Circle Pale Ale is not for sale yet, but Stone Brewing is hoping to make it available soon.
The Pure Water San Diego program will eventually clean enough wastewater to provide one-third of San Diego's water supply.
