Beyond the Buzz Words: What Organic Really Means
A no-BS guide to organic certification
What is Organic?
Organic, natural, non-GMO. Walk down any grocery aisle and you'll see these terms slapped on everything from chips to kombucha. While they all sound great on a label, the truth is that these words are not interchangeable, and there’s a lot more involved to gaining and maintaining USDA Organic Certified seal than just calling something “natural”.
"Organic" isn’t just a fancy way of saying "healthy." True organic certification is a comprehensive set of agricultural practices governed by the USDA National Organic Program. The standards are strict: no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, no genetic engineering, and cropland must be clean of prohibited substances for at least three years before harvest. That's serious commitment.
What's the Difference?
Let's cut through the noise. "Natural" on a label? It’s pretty much meaningless, and there's no real regulation behind it. A product can be highly processed, loaded with pesticides, and still call itself "natural."
Non-GMO certification (like the Non-GMO Project seal) is legit, meaning the product doesn't contain genetically modified organisms. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that pesticides aren’t involved. Here's the key thing: all organic products are non-GMO, but not all non-GMO products are organic. Organic standards go way beyond no genetically modified organisms.
And you can't just claim you're organic. You need third-party verification from accredited certifiers like Quality Assurance International (QAI). These folks don't mess around. They inspect, audit, and verify that producers are compliant in every step of practices.
From Farm to Fermenter: How Organic Works
For farmers growing crops, organic means building soil health through natural methods—crop rotations, cover crops, composting—instead of dumping synthetic fertilizers on the land. Ranchers raising livestock must provide organic feed, outdoor access, and zero antibiotics or growth hormones.
When it comes to making products (like, say, beer), at least 95% of ingredients, from hops to malts, must be certified organic and additionally inputs in the brewing process must meet organic regulations. Every ingredient needs a paper trail proving its organic source. Because organic certification is overseen by the USDA with annual independent third-party inspections, the system ensures integrity from farm to finished product.
How We Do It at Big Country
We source our certified organic ingredients from suppliers across the US, using Hopsteiner for hops, Valley Malt and Proximity Malt for grains, Fermentis for yeast, and Sovereign Flavors for the fruit flavors in our seltzers.
But it's not just about ingredients, our entire brewery has to meet organic standards too. Every cleaning chemical, every filtration system, every additive are all organic-compliant. We don't cut corners.
Every year, Big Country is audited by QAI to ensure we’re meeting the rigorous organic standards. We prepare detailed workbooks with recipes, sourcing records for every ingredient, ensuring all standard operating procedures are being followed, cleaning protocols, and facility record-keeping. The inspector verifies our suppliers' certifications, reviews production logs, and inspects the brewery from top to bottom. It's intense, but it keeps us honest and ensures that Big Country beverages are the real deal.
Why It Matters
Choosing organic isn't just about having pesticide-free beer, it's about supporting farmers and makers that know that organic practices are the way for a healthier planet and the people that reside on it. Here's why in a nutshell:
Better for the Planet
Healthier Soil: Organic farming improves soil fertility by increasing soil carbon by about 2.2% annually, pulling CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it underground while building healthier, more resilient soil.
Cleaner Water: Organic farms reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in nearby waterways, preventing toxic algae blooms and keeping drinking water clean.
Lower Emissions: Skipping synthetic pesticides and fertilizers means less energy spent manufacturing and applying chemicals that contribute to climate change.
Protecting Pollinators: Organic farms support 50% more pollinator diversity than conventional farms by eliminating bee-killing pesticides and providing a safe habitat.
Better for People
More Nutrients: Organic crops generally show higher antioxidant activity, including greater levels of polyphenols, which are plant-based micronutrients with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Less Pesticide Exposure: Organic food means way fewer pesticide residues, which is especially important for pregnant people and kids.
Fighting Antibiotic Resistance: Organic livestock standards ban antibiotics, helping combat the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Safer for Farmworkers: Pesticide exposure can cause serious respiratory problems in agricultural workers. Organic farming creates safer working conditions.
Environmental Justice: Agricultural chemicals disproportionately harm communities of color, particularly farmworkers. Choosing organic supports more equitable practices.
When you crack open a Big Country, you're supporting all of this. Our organic certification isn't a marketing gimmick. It's a commitment to brewing beverages that not only taste great, but also support a greater cause. From our Fair Trade certified organic cane sugar to our domestic organic hops and grains, every ingredient matters. Cheers to making choices that make a difference.
