What It Takes for A Microbrewery To Succeed

Basic Brewing System

Brewery Equipment Components

The brewery equipment is the heart of a small brewery and where the magic begins.

Key Components You Need:

• Wort tank – where the grain meets the hot water

• Kettle – for boiling wort and hops

• Whirlpool – helps remove solids after boil

• Heat Exchanger – quickly cools wort

Size Matters! For most new small breweries, a system of 1-7 BBL is the best choice. But for small breweries just starting out, bigger isn’t always better.

Brewery efficiency is key to your success. Modern systems from top manufacturers like DEGONG include features such as:

• Steam condensers for faster heating

• Brew controllers for precise temperatures

• Filtration efficiency tools to get more out of your grain

Fermentation and Conditioning

After beer is produced in the brewery, it needs a place to ferment. This is where fermentation tanks and brite tanks come in handy.

Conical fermentation tanks vs. unitanks:

Glycol cooling is a must-have! Beer needs steady temps to ferment right. A good glycol cooling system keeps your beer happy.

The right tanks can save you money over time.

Key Support Equipment

Health and Safety

A clean beer is a good beer. Sanitizing equipment is not a corner-cutting option.

Essential cleaning systems:

• CIP systems (cleaning in place) – save time and water

• Keg washers – keep the kegs spotless

• Sanitizing equipment, such as pumps and sprayers

Packaging Solutions

How do you get beer to your customers? You need the right filling station.

Comparison of packaging solutions:

• Canning lines – growing in popularity

• Bottlers – traditional solutions

• Keg filling – for pubs and local bars

Implementation Tips

Installation: Do it right the first time

Smart floor plan optimization saves time and money. Here’s how to do it right:

• Plan your brewing workflow first

• Allow at least 3 feet of space between tanks

• Plan for system scalability from day one

• Ensure glycol circulation paths are efficient

The DEGONG team has experts with 23 years of experience in brewery design. They can help you ensure your layout works as expected before a single tank arrives.

Maintenance: Keep your equipment running properly

Plan the following:

• Daily CIP maintenance of brew kettles

• Weekly cleaning of sight glasses and sampling valves

• Monthly inspection of pressure relief valves

• Quarterly maintenance of glycol coolers

• Good maintenance can extend the life of your equipment by an average of 5-7 years!

Scalability: Room to Grow

The best brewing equipment grows with you. Look for:

• Pre-piped systems that can be expanded at any time

• Modular brewing design

• Variable speed pumps that can handle high flows

• Scalable brewing software

58% of small breweries are currently investing in automation systems to facilitate their growth. This technology can reduce labor costs by up to 30%.