Use Algae To Produce Blue, French Beer Sold 1,500 Bottles In Two Months

Illustrations. (Unsplash / Jon Tyson)

JAKARTA - French beer producers have started using algae with natural pigments to turn their beer blue.

The beer, under the brand name "Line", is the result of a collaboration between a company looking to popularize algae as a dietary supplement, and a nearby brewery looking for ways to make the drink more distinctive.

"The beer is selling well," said Sebastien Verbeke, an employee of Hoppy Urban Brew, which makes the drink.

"This drink is getting a huge amount of interest and curiosity from the public."

The blue color comes from spirulina, an algae grown in the basin by a company called Spirulina Ethics in northern France. The component of spirulina that gives spirulina its blue color, called phycocyanin, is then added to beer during the brewing process

Tasting a bottle of the freshly produced beer, brewery employee Mathilde Vanmansart described it as hoppy, light and with fruity undertones, while the only evidence of added algae is its distinctive color.

Xavier Delannoy, whose farm provides spirulina says, after several trials, the factory has found a blend that appeals to customers.

He revealed 1,500 bottles of blue beer were sold between October and December last year, and the brewery is now preparing to ramp up production to meet demand.