Comparison of Beer And Wine Fermentation Tanks

Ingredients and Basic Differences

While beer and wine production are similar, there are significant differences. The most obvious distinction is the source of the ingredients:

• Beer: Made from grain (whiskey also uses grain)

• Wine: Made from fruit (primarily grapes)

Both require the introduction of yeast to convert the sugars in the crushed fruit or grain. Yeast is a naturally occurring single-celled organism.

Beer Fermentation Tank Features

Material: Made of stainless steel, easy to clean, disinfect, and maintain. No oak is used for beer fermentation.

Design Features:

• Designed specifically for managing the fermentation process.

• Controls temperature, pressure, and other factors.

• Often equipped with a cooling jacket to regulate fermentation temperature.

Fermentation Process:

• Yeast converts maltose into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

• Fermentation is typically faster than wine (days to weeks).

• Different yeast strains are used to brew specific beer styles.

Other Features:

• Some beer styles require additional carbonation.

• Solids and sediment can be separated in specialized conical tanks.

Wine Fermentation Tank Features

Material: Typically stainless steel or oak (stainless steel is more common).

Design Features:

• The design allows for gentle extraction of flavor, color, and tannins from the grape skins and other solids.

Fermentation Process:

• Yeast converts glucose into alcohol.

• Fermentation is typically slower than beer (taking weeks or even months).

• Native or selectively bred strains of wine yeast are used.

Special Techniques:

• Red wines are often fermented using "press cap" and "pump" techniques.

• After fermentation, the wine can be aged (either in the same tank or transferred to oak barrels).

Differences in Fermentation Microorganisms

Beer:

• Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is primarily used.

• Different strains are used to brew different styles of beer.

Wine:

• A variety of yeast strains can be used (including Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pasteurella).

• Some winemakers use natural/wild yeasts found on grape skins.

Production Process Comparison

Winemaking Process

• Grapes are harvested

• Grape juice is pressed

• Transferred to a fermentation vessel and mixed with yeast for fermentation

• After fermentation, the wine is stabilized and the acidity, chemicals, and sweetness are adjusted

• Packaging

Beer Brewing Process

• Barley is grown and transported to the malthouse

• Germination of the malt produces enzymes (malting)

• Drying the malt into base malt or specialty grains

• Transporting the malt to the brewery for storage

• Blending malts for desired beer styles

• Crushing the malt and adding hot water to create a mash

• Letting the mash stand for 30-90 minutes to convert starches into simple sugars

• Collecting the wort and boiling it in a kettle (often with hops)

• Cooling the wort and transferring it to a fermentation vessel

• Yeast fermentation produces carbon dioxide and alcohol

• After fermentation, the yeast is removed

• Carbonation and packaging

Differences in Temperature Requirements

Beer Fermentation Temperature:

• Depends on the beer style and yeast strain.

• Usually cooler than wine fermentation temperatures (10-24°C).

Wine Fermentation Temperature:

• 10-29°C, depending on the grape variety and wine style.

• Red wines may require higher temperatures to extract color and flavor.

Variations in Fermentation Tank Design

Beer Fermentation Tanks:

• Usually conical in shape to facilitate removal of lees and yeast.

• May have a cooling system to control temperature.

Wine Fermentation Tanks:

• Usually open or closed.

• Open tanks are used in red wine production to facilitate capping.

• Closed tanks are common in white wine and some red wine production.

• May have a temperature control system.

Specific Process Differences

Beer production can create "sour beers" (increased complexity through specific microorganisms), while wines have "rancio" styles (promoted by aging to promote oxidation).

Despite these differences, both beer and wine fermentation tanks play a critical role in the production of their respective beverages, ensuring that sugars are converted to alcohol and that the desired flavor and aroma develop. Stainless steel fermentation tanks are manufactured in a variety of ways, with custom sizes, shapes, valves, and fittings available to meet specific needs.