Brewing a Greener Pint: 9 White Deer Powers Up with EU Sustainability Boost

In the heart of West Cork, 9 White Deer Brewery is showing how sustainability and smart business go hand in hand. With the help of Cork Chamber’s Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and a timely EU-funded EENergy grant of €10,000, the award-winning craft brewery has significantly cut its energy use, reducing its carbon footprint while streamlining operations and continuing to produce its signature range of craft beers.

Facing rising energy demands and growing sustainability targets, 9 White Deer seized the opportunity through the grant to future-proof its operations. The result? A drop in energy usage from 38,188 kWh to just 10,271 kWh, thanks in large part to the installation of an energy-efficient nitrogen generator.

“Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us, it’s core to how we brew,” says Gordon Lucey, Managing Director at 9 White Deer. “With EENergy’s support, we’ve been able to turn environmental ambition into action, reducing our carbon footprint while making the brewery more efficient and resilient.”

The EENergy project, coordinated locally by Cork Chamber through the Enterprise Europe Network, offers SMEs up to €10,000 to implement energy-saving initiatives. It’s a lifeline for businesses balancing sustainability goals with tight margins.

“9 White Deer Brewery is a brilliant example of what’s possible when innovative SMEs tap into the right supports,” said Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber. “Through the Enterprise Europe Network, we’re helping companies, both members and non-members of the Chamber, to access expertise, funding and partnerships that help them thrive and grow greener.”

For 9 White Deer, this is just the beginning. With energy savings now banked, the brewery is doubling down on its mission to produce high-quality craft beer with a light environmental footprint. Every pint they pour is a step toward a cleaner, more sustainable brewing industry - it’s a smart, forward-looking strategy.

“At Enterprise Europe Network, everything starts with listening,” says Mónica Valdés, EEN Advisor at Cork Chamber. “We work one-to-one with SMEs to understand their goals, whether that’s growing internationally, improving sustainability or accessing finance. The EENergy grant is just one example of how we turn those goals into real, measurable impact.”