Munich Startup Revolutionizes Dairy Alternatives with Beer Spent Grain Drink
Munich, Bavaria, Germany, July 3, 2026 – Circular Grain, a Munich-based startup, is poised to disrupt the plant-based milk market with the September launch of ‘Tremi’, a novel milk alternative derived from beer spent grain. This innovative product promises a sustainable and nutritious option for consumers, initially targeting selected cafés and retailers in the greater Munich area.
Beer spent grain, a byproduct of the brewing process, has traditionally been used primarily as animal feed. Circular Grain aims to repurpose this abundant resource into a beverage suitable for human consumption. According to the company, Tremi contains three times more protein and six times less sugar than conventional oat milk, addressing key consumer demands for healthier and more functional plant-based options. The initial launch will feature two variants: Tremi Original and Tremi Barista.
Two Years of Development and Over 250 Recipe Adjustments
The company was founded by three Technical University of Munich graduates – Nathalie Stellwag, Marina Hijano Moreno, and Denise Ilogu – as an outgrowth of a student project. Over the past two years, the team has conducted extensive taste tests with 1,500 participants and refined the recipe through more than 250 adjustments. This meticulous development process underscores their commitment to creating a high-quality product.
Circular Grain has successfully raised over 500,000 Euros in funding and investor capital to bring their vision to fruition. Co-founder Marina Hijano Moreno emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability, stating, “We use resources that are already available. With Tremi, we are transforming beer spent grain – which has so far been used very little for human food – into a very nutritious milk alternative.” This circular economy approach, utilizing an existing raw material without requiring additional agricultural land, is a core tenet of their business model.
Amazon Accelerator Program Supports Market Entry
Circular Grain’s market launch is being bolstered by the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator. This program, established in 2022, supports sustainability-focused startups across Europe, having assisted over 70 young companies to date. Circular Grain is part of this year’s cohort of nine European startups. Amazon’s participation in the program is free of charge for the startups, and the e-commerce giant does not acquire equity in the participating companies. Instead, the program offers valuable mentoring, cloud credits, and technical support, providing crucial resources for emerging businesses.
The success of Tremi in the highly competitive plant-based milk market remains to be seen. However, Circular Grain is banking on the appeal of its circular economy approach and the nutritional benefits of its product to attract both consumers and retailers. The company believes that the utilization of an existing byproduct without the need for additional cultivation areas will resonate with environmentally conscious consumers.
The launch of Tremi represents a significant step towards a more sustainable food system, showcasing how innovative approaches can transform waste products into valuable resources. As consumers increasingly seek out ethical and environmentally friendly options, Circular Grain’s Tremi could carve out a unique niche in the rapidly expanding market for dairy alternatives.
Source: https://lebensmittelpraxis.de/industrie-aktuell/49190-milchalternativen-muenchner-startup-macht-aus-biertreber-ein-milchgetraenk.html
