At Good Eggs, we select beers and ciders with a preference to local brewers (San Francisco Bay Area & California). For domestic (non-California) and international producers, we source with an eye towards traditional, best of class, unique, seasonal, exclusivity, P.O.C. etc.
In order to be considered for inclusion in our marketplace, all beers & cider must meet the following baseline criteria:
Transparency
The brewers/growers/suppliers we work with directly must be fully transparent and be able to present documentation as requested. Where applicable, all brewers/growers/suppliers we work with demonstrate compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Farming Practices
In the case of grower/producers, Good Eggs select beers & cider from sustainable farms and orchards with a preference toward certified (or verified practicing) organic and/or biodynamic processes.
- Sustainable farming means:
- For small producers (under 10,000 cases per year):
- Direct relationship with farmers.
- Brewer/cidermaker has a signed affidavit guaranteeing that they don’t use any pesticides, fertilizers or other inputs that are not allowed under the National Organic Program’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
- If we have a direct relationship with the grower and they’ve worked with us to develop a plan to meet the above exception within three years, and are currently not using any substance on the prohibited substance list.
- At least 1 sustainable program - water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- Direct relationship with farmers.
- For medium and import producers (under 50,000 cases per year):
- Majority organic farming (practiced, not certified) or better, or plan to execute to this standard over time
- Multiple sustainable programs ongoing - water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- For large producers (over 50,000 cases per year):
- Completely organically farmed or equivalent/better (practiced and documented, not certified) or have a defined plan to execute to this standard in a stated timeframe
- Multiple sustainable programs ongoing - renewable energy, supporting land regeneration, water conservation, waste offset, practicing biodiversity, etc.
- For small producers (under 10,000 cases per year):
Beer / Cider Making Practices
At Good Eggs, we don’t allow artificial chemical additions in the brewery. Any flavoring additives (i.e.: fruit/spice/herb/etc) are naturally derived with minimal to no chemical intervention. These flavors will adhere to GMO/Farming practices as listed above. Furthermore:
- No use of artificial flavors, colorants, preservatives, sweeteners and/or thickeners/emulsifiers
- No DMDC. Dimethyl dicarbonate is primarily used as a beverage preservative and sterilant.
- No Acetaldehyde. This chemical is used for color stabilization.
- If we have a direct relationship with the brewer/cidermaker, any further chemical exceptions will come as a result of a signed affidavit and full transparent disclosure.
- List of unallowable ingredients found here
Labor Practices
Taken from Produce Sourcing Criteria
All beer/cider must come from producer/growers or vendors who have filled out a detailed Labor Practice Standards questionnaire that guarantees that they adhere to the following criteria:
- No forced labor or human trafficking used directly or via their supply chain
- No prison labor used directly or via their supply chain
- No child labor used directly or via their supply chain
- All employees are paid at least minimum wage
- All contracted employees are paid at least minimum wage
- Regular labor practice audits of suppliers, where feasible, or signed affidavits that they also meet our labor standards.
- Growers must not discriminate in any employment practices, including hiring, based on any California protected class.
- Growers must create a workplace free of coercion and harassment. Employees must be treated with dignity and respect.
- Growers must have a reporting process that provides multiple accessible resources for reporting, including resources independent from management.
- Growers may not retaliate against employees for reporting harassment.
- Growers must promptly and thoroughly investigate claims of harassment.
- Growers must periodically train employees on harassment policies.
- Growers must provide employees with a safe working environment, following all applicable health and safety laws.
- Employees must be able to take sick leave when ill without retaliation.
- Employees must be able to unionize or otherwise collectively organize for their interests without retaliation.
- For Imports: if coming from a country with labor issues, some way to certify fair labor (i.e. fair trade)
- Central America
- South America
- African continent