A Penticton businesswoman who leads one of B.C.’s oldest breweries has been honoured for her work in environmental sustainability.
Alexis Esseltine of Tin Whistle Brewing was named one of Canada’s 2025 Clean50 honourees, which recognizes “leadership in advancing sustainability and environmental innovation within Canada’s brewing industry.”
Esseltine took over Tin Whistle in 2020. Under her leadership, the long-running Penticton business became B.C.’s first carbon-neutral brewery.
It has also achieved zero waste to landfill, “diverting over 11,800 kilograms of waste through creative reuse, recycling, and circular innovation,” according to the brewery.
“Receiving a Clean50 Award is an incredible honour that truly belongs to our entire team and community,” said Esseltine.
In a media release, Tin Whistle said it has reused more than 13,700 plastic can carriers while developing beers from upcycled sake kasu (the by-product of sake production) and local winery waste.
“We set out to prove that bold climate action and business success can thrive together — and our results show that sustainability isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for people and profit too,” Esseltine added.
Esseltine was also honoured for spearheading a project, in partnership with the City of Penticton, that decommissioned a 25-year-old rooftop cooling unit and integrated the load into a new, energy-efficient chilling system.
The annual Canada Clean50 Awards recognize leaders across 16 categories who “have demonstrated measurable impact in advancing sustainability and clean capitalism in Canada.” Nominations for this year were collected until July 1.
“The individuals we chose for the Clean50 this year are true leaders, and should be an inspiration for all Canadians,” said Gavin Pitchford of Delta Management Group, the annual presenters of the awards.
Tin Whistle, which opened in 1995, is known as the first microbrewery to open in the South Okanagan. It was also the 12th brewery to open in B.C.
It is owned by Esseltine, along with Timothy Swoon, and located at 1475 Fairview Rd.
Source: https://www.westknews.com/
