Brewery Upgrade Guide — Improve Capacity And Quality with DEGONG

Introduction

As your brewery grows and market demand increases, your existing equipment may no longer be sufficient to maintain efficiency, consistency, or production quality. Upgrading your brewery is not only about producing more beer—it is about producing better beer, reducing long-term operating costs, improving workflow efficiency, and preparing for future expansion.

This guide by DEGONG helps you evaluate your upgrade needs, understand key strategies, and plan a clear path toward a modern, efficient, and scalable brewery system.

1. Define Your Upgrade Goals & Long-Term Vision

Before making any investment, you should clearly define your objectives:

• What production capacity do you want to reach?

• Do you need to increase batch size, batch frequency, or both?

• How important are automation, workflow efficiency, and product consistency?

• Do you plan to expand again in the near future?

A well-defined set of goals helps determine the appropriate equipment size, process layout, and upgrade strategy. It also improves communication with equipment manufacturers such as DEGONG.

2. Core Upgrade Strategies

2.1 Expand Brewing Capacity & Tank Volume

To achieve higher output, you may need larger brewhouse kettles or additional fermentation and bright beer tanks.

Choosing the right brewhouse size is critical—not too small to restrict production, and not excessively large to create unnecessary costs.

If multiple batches per day or week are planned, sufficient fermentation and storage capacity must be reserved to prevent bottlenecks.

2.2 Optimize Brewing Process & Workflow Efficiency

Efficiency significantly impacts quality and output. Consider upgrading from a simple single-vessel setup to a multi-vessel brewhouse to improve control and reduce batch time.

A well-designed layout reduces unnecessary movement, minimizes heat and cooling losses, and improves overall process stability.

Standardized operating procedures—from mashing to boiling, fermentation, packaging, and cleaning—help reduce human error and ensure consistent results.

2.3 Improve Hygiene & Quality Control

Sanitation is essential to beer quality. Upgrading to high-quality stainless steel equipment (304 or 316L) ensures durability, corrosion resistance, and compliance with food-grade hygiene standards.

DEGONG recommends integrating:

• CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems

• Hygienic piping and valves

• Smooth internal tank polishing

• Easy-access manways, sampling valves, and temperature ports

These features reduce contamination risks, improve product stability, and save labor during cleaning.

2.4 Introduce Automation & Utility Integration

As production increases, automation becomes increasingly valuable. Automated mash systems, temperature control, pump control, and fermentation monitoring help simplify workflow and improve repeatability.

Utility systems that may require upgrading include:

• Glycol chilling system

• Hot/cold water tanks

• Pumps and valves

• Heat exchangers

• Electrical and steam systems

• Sanitary piping layout

DEGONG can provide fully integrated brewery solutions tailored to your production goals.

2.5 Enhance Flexibility & Scalability

A modern brewery should be designed to grow with your business. Modular equipment, additional connection ports, and flexible piping allow you to add tanks or upgrade vessels later without major reconstruction.

Reliable spare parts supply, easy-maintenance components, and forward-thinking layout design ensure long-term operational stability.

3. Materials, Equipment & Layout Considerations

Material quality is a key factor in beer flavor, hygiene, and equipment lifespan. DEGONG prioritizes:

• 304/316L stainless steel construction

• Double-layer insulated tanks with glycol jackets

• Hygienic welding and polishing

• High-efficiency heat exchange systems

A proper brewery layout should support smooth production flow:

Raw material → Brewhouse → Fermentation → Cold storage → Packaging → Cleaning

Good facility planning reduces cross-contamination, maintenance downtime, and unnecessary operating costs.

4. Cost vs. Benefit: Investment Analysis

Upgrading equipment requires upfront investment, but the long-term benefits often outweigh the cost:

• Higher production capacity

• Faster brewing cycles

• Better product consistency

• Reduced labor cost

• Lower risk of batch failures

• Higher packaging and cold-store efficiency

DEGONG helps breweries evaluate ROI, compare upgrade options, and select scalable systems suited for both current and future production.

5. Selecting the Right Equipment Supplier

A successful brewery upgrade requires a reliable supplier—one who offers more than just hardware. When choosing a partner, consider whether they can provide:

• Complete turnkey solutions

• Brewery layout design

• Customized tank manufacturing

• Installation and commissioning support

• Training and after-sales service

• Spare parts availability

• Proven experience with breweries of similar scale

With global experience and strong engineering support, DEGONG offers professional brewing solutions for microbreweries, commercial breweries, and large-scale production facilities.

6. Conclusion

Upgrading your brewery is an investment in capacity, quality, and long-term competitiveness. By defining your goals, optimizing your workflow, selecting high-quality equipment, introducing automation, and choosing a reliable partner, you can build a brewery that is efficient, scalable, and prepared for future growth.

Whether you are expanding a microbrewery or upgrading an industrial beer plant, DEGONG is ready to assist you with customized, professional, and future-proof brewing solutions.