How Many Fermentation Tanks Are Needed for A Nanobrewery?
Publish Time: 2025-05-22 Origin: Site
Starting a nanobrewery is always exciting—until you have to face reality and figure out how many fermenters you actually need.
Most nanobreweries will need 3-5 fermenters, depending on batch size, turnover, and production goals. Getting the right number helps avoid bottlenecks and wasted capacity.
What are the three main factors that determine the need for a nanobrewery fermenter?
Brewing is fun. But what if you run out of fermenter space during peak demand periods? That’s no joke. The three main factors that determine the need for a fermenter are batch size, turnover frequency, and brew variety.
1. Batch Size
Smaller batch systems (e.g. 1-3 bbl) will naturally work with fewer fermenters. But even a 1 bbl Nano system can feel overwhelmed with only 2 fermenters if you brew more than once a week.
2. Turnover rate
If you plan to turn over beer every two weeks, you can arrange two fermenters per brewing cycle. But for lager or barrel-aged beers that require longer fermentation, you will need additional fermenters to meet demand.
3. Beer Varieties
More beer styles mean more fermenters. Even with a 2BBL brewery, if you want to serve four beer styles at any time, you will need 5 or more fermenters to ensure the proper circulation of beer flavors.
| Factor | Low Need (1-2 Tanks) | Medium Need (3-5 Tanks) | High Need (6+ Tanks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batch Size | 1 BBL | 2–3 BBL | 5 BBL+ |
| Turnover Rate | Monthly | Bi-weekly | Weekly or faster |
| Beer Variety | 1–2 core styles | 3–4 rotating styles | 5+ seasonal styles |
You can always expand fermenter count later, but starting lean with room to grow is the smart call.
How to choose a fermenter size without wasting money?
Purchasing the wrong size fermenter can cost you time and money. The optimal fermenter size balances your current production with future flexibility. Avoid overinvesting in capacity you won’t use.
1. Match your brewing system
Your fermenter should be 10-20% larger than your brewing system capacity. If you brew 2 barrels of beer, you should choose a fermenter with a capacity of 2.5-3 barrels of beer to allow head space for active fermentation.
2. Consider your sales cycle
If you plan to sell directly through bars, your fermenter quantity and size should reflect customer demand. Oversized fermenters may tie up capital and not sell beer fast enough.
3. Leave room for expansion
Choose modular equipment. Some fermenters come with expansion ports, stacking options, or glycol jackets that you can upgrade later. Start with fewer fermenters, but make sure they are high quality and upgradeable.