Stick City Brewing Company, located in Mars, PA, has launched its “Water From Mars” project. The brewery recently completed its first canning run and it’s available now!

The project was originally created in order to have bottled/packaged water from Mars, PA available at the bi-annual Mars New year Festival. It will be available at this festival on June 9th and 10th. The brewery is now working with local convenience stores to have it available for sale as well. And after speaking with the brewery, it could become a consistent offering.

We spoke with Stick City co-owner and head brewer Nick Salkeld, to learn more about the project.

BIPA: How did this project come about?

Nick: The “Water from Mars” idea is something we have been talking about with the Mayor and members of the Mars New Year Celebration committee since we first launched the brewery in 2018. The whole rotation of Mars around the sun, or the planet’s year, is commemorated at the Mars New Year Festival. Every 687 days on Earth, Mars completes one full rotation around the sun.

At the bi-yearly festival, the group has always sought to have bottled or packaged water from Mars. When we heard about it, we began debating how to package actual Mars water using our canning equipment (since our brewery utilizes the public water source).

BIPA: Is this the same water you use in your beer? What’s the process like to purify the water?

Nick: Yes, it is the same water. Mars has four or so deep wells that provide the town’s municipal water supply.

Since the water is drawn from reliable wells located deep beneath the town, there is little need for filtration. Similar to a water filter for a home refrigerator, we perform further filtration at the brewery using a big catalytic carbon filter. This filter removes any chlorine that may already be present as well as any other flavors or aromas. This is all a part of our standard brewing water preparation.

BIPA: How much water did you can?

Nick: Around 3,000 cans were produced for the first run. Each future batch will probably be the same amount. We actually package the water without carbonation, which adds complexity and makes the process unique, so it’s pure, still water, in a can.

BIPA: Will you make donations from the sale of the water?

Nick: Yes! So far we donated a portion of the canned water for the Mars New Year Blast-off dinner, back in February. We are also working on specific fundraising for how the water can benefit the Mars New Year Foundation. On top of that, for any sold at the brewery, the canned water still remains with our commitment to 1% for the Planet [Earth]. So, 1% of all sales go back to local and national environmental non-profits that work to improve, restore, and increase access to natural areas and waterways.

Make sure to go grab some of the newly canned “Water From Mars”, as well as their beer! Stick City Brewing Company can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.