How To Judge Whether Beer Brewing Equipment Is Suitable for Commercial Production | DEGONG

1. Introduction — Why Choosing the Right Equipment Matters

In today’s fast-growing craft beer market, more brewers are upgrading from home or pilot systems to full commercial production. However, successful brewing is not just about recipes — it starts with the right brewing equipment. Choosing the wrong setup can limit capacity, reduce consistency, increase operating costs, or even prevent compliance with brewing regulations.

DEGONG, as a global manufacturer of professional brewing systems, provides brewhouses and fermentation solutions that meet industrial standards while maintaining craft-level precision.

2. Understanding the Brewing Process

Before evaluating equipment, it’s essential to understand the main brewing stages and how each affects your system requirements:

• Milling: Malt is crushed into grist. Proper particle size improves mash efficiency and filtration.

• Mashing: The grist mixes with hot water, converting starch into fermentable sugars.

• Boiling and Hopping: Wort is boiled; hops are added to build bitterness, aroma, and flavour stability.

• Fermentation: Yeast transforms sugars into alcohol and CO₂. Temperature and pressure control are crucial.

• Conditioning and Packaging: Beer clarifies, matures, and is packaged for sale.

Every stage relies on reliable, food-grade equipment to ensure consistency, yield, and quality — and this is where DEGONG systems excel.

3. Main Components of a Commercial Brewing System

A commercial brewing system typically includes:

• Malt Milling System: Stable, efficient malt crushing with adjustable roller gap.

• Brewhouse System: Mash tun, lauter tun, kettle, and whirlpool designed for high thermal efficiency and easy cleaning.

• Fermentation System: Jacketed stainless-steel fermenters (FV) with temperature and pressure control.

• Cooling System: Glycol chiller or plate heat exchanger to maintain consistent fermentation temperatures.

• Control System: PLC or semi-automatic panels for recipe control, process monitoring, and safety interlocks.

• CIP System: Clean-in-place unit for quick and sanitary tank cleaning.

All DEGONG brewhouses are built using 304/316L stainless steel, food-grade sanitary fittings, and precision TIG welding — ensuring long lifespan, low maintenance, and excellent hygiene.

4. How to Judge if Equipment Is Suitable for Commercial Brewing

When choosing a commercial brewing system, consider the following critical factors:

(1) Production Capacity

Confirm that the brewhouse size, number of fermenters, and tank capacity match your annual output goals.

For instance, a 10 BBL system with eight fermenters may produce around 1,200–1,500 BBL per year depending on cycle time.

(2) Automation Level

For commercial production, automation improves consistency and reduces labour costs.

DEGONG offers manual, semi-automatic, and PLC-controlled brewhouse options depending on your workflow.

(3) Material & Build Quality

Industrial-grade stainless steel construction ensures food safety and durability.

Weld smoothness (Ra ≤ 0.6 µm), polished inner surfaces, and reliable valves all reduce maintenance costs and contamination risks.

(4) Energy Efficiency

Efficient heating jackets, steam recovery, and insulated pipelines lower operational expenses.

DEGONG integrates energy-saving designs and optional steam condensate reuse systems.

(5) Expandability

Your brewery should be scalable. DEGONG systems can be easily expanded by adding fermenters, bright tanks, or packaging lines without redesigning the entire layout.

(6) Supplier Technical Support

Equipment quality is only part of success. Professional installation, commissioning, training, and after-sales service are equally important.

DEGONG provides on-site installation guidance, remote support, and spare-parts supply worldwide.

(7) Compliance and Food Safety

All DEGONG brewing systems conform to CE, ISO, and food-grade hygiene standards, meeting export requirements for Europe, North America, and Asia.

5. Facility and Infrastructure Considerations

When preparing for commercial brewing, also evaluate your production environment:

• Space & Layout: Ensure sufficient area for equipment, walkways, and future expansion.

• Utilities: Provide stable power, water supply, steam, and drainage.

• Ventilation & Safety: Proper ventilation and fire protection are essential for high-temperature brewing processes.

• Permits & Regulations: Obtain all required production and environmental licences before installation.

DEGONG’s engineering team assists clients in designing complete facility layouts and utility configurations for efficient workflow.

6. Cost and Return on Investment

When evaluating brewing equipment, consider the total cost of ownership, not just the purchase price.

Longer lifespan, reduced maintenance, and higher efficiency directly influence profitability.

DEGONG systems are designed for durability and low OPEX (operating expense), ensuring fast ROI for craft and industrial breweries alike.

7. Conclusion

Commercial brewing requires more than passion — it requires reliable, scalable, and efficient equipment.

By evaluating production capacity, automation, material quality, energy efficiency, and supplier support, you can confidently determine whether your brewery setup is ready for long-term success.

DEGONG provides complete brewing solutions — from 100 L pilot systems to 100 HL industrial plants — helping brewers around the world produce exceptional beer with stability, efficiency, and consistent flavour.