Why CIP Systems Matter in Modern Brewing

In modern beer brewing, hygiene is directly linked to product quality, flavor stability, and consumer safety. Even small amounts of residue or microbial contamination can compromise an entire batch. For this reason, a reliable CIP (Clean-In-Place) system has become a critical component in every professional brewery.

At DEGONG, we design and manufacture high-efficiency CIP systems that ensure every tank and pipeline is cleaned safely, thoroughly, and consistently—without dismantling equipment.

What Is CIP and Why Breweries Need It

CIP refers to the automated cleaning of tanks, pipelines, heat exchangers, and other closed brewing vessels using circulating water, detergents, and sanitizing solutions.

Since equipment remains fully assembled during cleaning, CIP greatly improves efficiency and eliminates the risks associated with manual scrubbing.

A DEGONG CIP system ensures:

• consistent sanitation

• reduced downtime

• lower water and chemical usage

• stable, high-quality beer production

How the DEGONG CIP Process Works

A professional CIP cycle typically includes the following steps:

1. Pre-Rinse

Warm water flushes out leftover beer, yeast, wort, and initial debris. This step prepares the equipment for effective chemical cleaning.

2. Alkaline Wash

A heated caustic solution circulates throughout the system to remove proteins, sugars, hop oils, and organic deposits.

DEGONG systems maintain stable temperature and precise flow to maximize cleaning efficiency.

3. Intermediate Rinse

Clean water removes any remaining alkaline solution to avoid neutralization in the next step.

4. Acid Wash (Optional)

Acidic detergent eliminates mineral scale, beer stone, and inorganic residues—especially important for fermenters, bright tanks, and long-term brewing vessels.

5. Final Rinse

Fresh water flushes the system to ensure no chemical residue remains.

6. Sanitization

A sanitizing solution—commonly peracetic acid (PAA)—circulates to kill microorganisms.

This ensures all vessels are microbiologically safe before the next production cycle.

DEGONG CIP units can be configured as semi-automatic or fully automatic, allowing breweries to monitor temperature, concentration, and cleaning time with high accuracy.

Key Advantages of a DEGONG CIP System

• Improved beer quality — prevents off-flavors and contamination.

• Greater production efficiency — no need to dismantle tanks; cleaning time is significantly reduced.

• Consistent, repeatable results — every cleaning cycle follows precise parameters.

• Lower operational cost — optimized water, heat, and chemical consumption.

• Enhanced operator safety — avoids direct contact with hot water and chemical detergents.

Whether for microbreweries or large industrial breweries, DEGONG CIP systems help maintain a clean, stable, and professional brewing environment.

Conclusion

A CIP system is essential for producing clean, consistent, high-quality beer. With DEGONG’s advanced CIP technology, breweries can achieve reliable sanitation, reduce labor, and maintain stable production efficiency.

Investing in a properly designed DEGONG CIP system ensures long-term operational stability and supports the highest brewing standards.