Brewery producing craft beer made from Boston river water taps Israeli tech
Desalitech – founded in Israel 7 years ago and since moved to Boston – is using its patented technology to provide water for Harpoon’s Charles River Pale Ale.
By JTAThe Charles River in front of the Boston skyline(photo credit: REUTERS)
BOSTON — An Israeli-founded water purification company has teamed up with Boston-based Harpoon Brewery to channel the once-famously polluted Charles River into a new beer.Desalitech – which started in Israel seven years ago and then moved to Boston – is using its patented technology to provide water for Harpoon’s Charles River Pale Ale. The limited-edition beer is on tap this week at Boston’s HUBweek, a week-long science and art festival.Desalitech president Nadav Efraty said helping to produce the beer is part of his company’s mission to better the environment.“Water scarcity is a global challenge that affects millions across the world – we are proud to be a Massachusetts company that is providing solutions and making an impact here in the US and beyond,” he said in a statement.Desalitech uses a closed-circuit reverse osmosis system developed over decades in Israel by Efraty’s American-born father, Avi Efraty, a chemist, who moved his family to Israel in the mid-1970s. The elder Efraty serves as the company’s chief technical officer.In 2013, Desalitech established its world headquarters in Greater Boston, attracted the region by former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who led several high-profile trade missions to Israel.Once heavily polluted, the 80-mile-long Charles River achieved fame thanks to the Standells 1960s rock hit “Dirty Water.” The song has been recorded and performed by everyone from Bruce Springsteen to the Dropkick Murphys and is a favorite of Boston sports teams.Over the decades, the river, which separates Boston from Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been cleaned up considerably — with some of its previously most polluted portions now open to swimming.Desalitech approached Harpoon in September about a collaboration. The offbeat idea appealed to Harpoon president Charlie Storey who said in interviews that he remembers growing up in Boston hearing that if he ever fell into the Charles River, he’d need to get to an emergency room.“Harpoon is proud to call Boston our home and to do our part to build a stronger, more sustainable environment and community,” Storey said in a statement. Harpoon, an employee-owned company established in 1986, is now the 15th largest craft brewer in the United States.
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