Sipping Sustainably: How This Tiny Island Brewery Is Saving the Sea, One IPA at a Time

Solar-Powered, Rainwater-Brewed, and Saving Sea Turtles—This Brewery Does It All

Imagine sipping a cold beer, toes in the sand, sun overhead, and knowing that every refreshing gulp is actually helping save sea turtles. That’s not just wishful thinking—it’s the vibe at Cooper Island’s microbrewery, a tiny, solar-powered oasis in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) that’s redefining what it means to drink sustainably.

Cooper Island Beach Club Photo: Cooper Island BVI Instagram

Sure, you could crack open a Carib or Red Stripe—both island favorites brewed in Trinidad and Jamaica—but if you’re craving something truly local to the BVI, you’ll need to trade your beach chair for a boat. And trust us: this boat ride is worth it.

Located on the secluded Cooper Island Beach Club, an eco-friendly resort only accessible by sea, this brewery isn’t just a hidden gem—it’s an entire vibe. Whether you arrive by private yacht or charter boat, the journey from Tortola (about 2–3 hours) feels like a prelude to paradise. Once ashore, you’ll find a craft beer haven that’s as much about sustainability as it is about flavor.

The brainchild of Colin Harris (yes, the same guy behind Harrows Darts, the world’s top dart brand), the brewery opened in 2015 as part of the family-run resort. But this isn’t just any island brewery. It runs on 100% solar power, drawing energy from the ever-present Caribbean sun. Even the water in your pint? It’s rainwater collected and purified right on-site—because on Cooper Island, sustainability isn’t a buzzword; it’s a lifestyle.

Photo: Cooper Island Microbrewery

At the helm of this one-man brewing operation is Marco Biga, an Italian brewer who crafts small-batch beers in a space barely bigger than your favorite walk-in closet. With five fermentation tanks and a max capacity of 2,000 liters per batch, Biga plans every brew months in advance, relying on ingredients shipped in from the U.S. His creativity shines through a core lineup that includes a crisp Everyday Lager, the lightly floral Sunset Pilsner, and two standout IPAs.

But it’s the Turtle IPA that steals the show—not just for its juicy notes of grapefruit and pine, but because $1 from every pint supports sea turtle conservation through the Turtle Foundation. Yes, you can literally drink beer and help save endangered sea turtles. Name a better reason for a refill.

Seasonal brews keep things fresh, from a tangy raspberry sour to experiments with hefeweizens, stouts, and even hazy IPAs. And when hurricane season rolls around and the resort temporarily closes, Biga dreams up new recipes for the next season.

Once you’ve landed at Cooper Island, you’ll want to sample everything. Grab a tasting flight at the beach bar—a sunny perch overlooking turquoise Manchioneel Bay, where sailboats sway and snorkelers drift alongside sea turtles. And if you’re sailing back to Tortola or onward to another island, fill a growler to-go and keep the island vibes flowing.

Getting there? You’ll need a boat. Guests staying overnight at Cooper Island Beach Club can arrange pickup from Road Town, Tortola. Day-trippers and charter boats can snag a spot in the bay’s anchorages—reserve in advance if you want to secure a spot, or take your chances on a first-come, first-served basis. Either way, it’s an adventure worth every nautical mile.

In a world where eco-conscious choices can feel complicated, Cooper Island’s brewery makes it simple: Drink great beer, support clean energy, save sea turtles. Cheers to that.