Cracking open a cold one might not be as carefree as you thought. A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology reveals that 95% of 23 beers tested across the United States contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.” These synthetic toxins stick around in your body and the environment, and now, they’re turning up in your pint.
What’s more alarming? Where your beer is brewed could impact how many of these toxic compounds you’re sipping.
The worst offenders? Beers brewed near North Carolina’s Cape Fear River Basin had the highest and most diverse levels of PFAS. St. Louis County, Missouri, also raised red flags. Researchers found that PFAS levels in beer mirrored the contamination levels of local tap water used during brewing—a connection that has never been deeply studied until now.
PFAS are linked to serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, and hormone disruption. And since beer is 90% water, the quality of that water is crucial. Standard filtration systems just aren’t cutting it.
“The beer findings are just the frothy tip of the iceberg,” said lead author Jennifer Hoponick Redmon. “If it’s in your beer, it’s probably in everything else.”
PFAS have already been detected in rainwater, contact lenses, floss, and even shampoo. And with the EPA estimating over 70 million Americans are exposed through drinking water, the problem is bigger than one six-pack.
While boiling water won’t remove PFAS, certified filters with activated carbon or reverse osmosis can help remove them. Want a cleaner pour? Start with what’s coming out of your tap.
Cheers to better brewing—and smarter water policies.
