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Are Forever Chemicals in Your Beer? What You Should Know About PFAS Contamination

  • Writer: Everfilt® Admin
    Everfilt® Admin
  • May 22
  • 3 min read

Are Forever Chemicals in Your Beer? What You Should Know About PFAS Contamination

New Study Links Beer Contamination to Local Water Pollution


A recent peer-reviewed study has uncovered that popular beers brewed across the U.S. contain traces of PFAS, a category of industrial chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and human body. These findings suggest that the quality of local water sources used in brewing could be a key factor in the presence of these compounds in beer.


Researchers analyzed a selection of beers from both large-scale and independent breweries and found that the vast majority contained detectable levels of PFAS, with the highest concentrations appearing in beers produced in regions with known water contamination.


What Are PFAS, & Why Are They Called “Forever Chemicals”?


PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic compounds used for decades in items like water-resistant clothing, fast food packaging, and nonstick cookware. Their nickname, forever chemicals, comes from the fact that they don’t easily break down in nature or in the human body.


This persistence allows PFAS to accumulate over time and has been associated with several long-term health concerns, including:


  • Changes in liver function

  • Weakened immune response

  • Elevated cholesterol levels

  • Certain types of cancer (Source: EPA, 2024)


How Do These Chemicals End Up in Beer?


The link between PFAS levels in beer and local water supplies is becoming clearer. In this new research, scientists adapted existing EPA methods to test beer samples for PFAS. Their analysis revealed a strong pattern: beers brewed in areas with contaminated municipal water had significantly higher PFAS levels.


This means that even though breweries often treat their water, many of their systems are not designed to filter out these particular chemicals. One of the most affected areas in the study was eastern North Carolina, where water pollution from industrial sources has been documented for years. Beers brewed in that region contained a broader mix of PFAS compounds compared to those made elsewhere.


Should Consumers Be Concerned?


While the amount of PFAS found in a single can or bottle of beer is relatively small, experts warn that cumulative exposure from food, water, and consumer products may increase health risks over time. In other words, your beer alone may not be dangerous, but it could be one of many sources contributing to overall exposure.

For beer lovers, this raises questions about transparency and safety in brewing, especially when it comes to how breweries manage their water sources.


What Breweries & Drinkers Can Do About It


Brewers:

  • Regularly test water sources for PFAS contamination

  • Upgrade filtration systems where feasible

  • (e.g., activated carbon, iron removal, multi-media, reverse osmosis)

  • Stay informed about evolving water regulations and consumer concerns


Consumers:

  • Check if your local water utility reports PFAS levels

  • Choose breweries that are open about their water treatment practices

  • Reduce PFAS exposure elsewhere, like by avoiding products labeled stain or water-resistant


Why This Matters Beyond Beer


This research highlights a larger issue: the widespread reach of PFAS pollution. When a pollutant contaminates the local water supply, it doesn’t just affect what comes out of the tap, it can end up in food, beverages, and even packaged goods made nearby.

Increased public awareness and stronger environmental oversight could help limit further contamination. Breweries, local governments, and environmental agencies all have a part to play in reducing PFAS levels across communities.


A Call for Cleaner Brewing & Water Protection


Beer is a cultural staple, not just a beverage, and its safety starts with the water it's brewed with. While PFAS in beer may not pose an immediate danger for occasional drinkers, it signals the broader need for modernized water treatment, industry accountability, and public transparency. Choosing clean water means choosing safer products, not just for beer drinkers, but for everyone.


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