The increase in interest and demand for unique beers has to lead to a massive uptick in the number of microbreweries and craft breweries across the country. Many of these facilities offer both a traditional brewery brewhouse as well as a consumer-facing part of the business that may include a pub or tasting room type of model.
As interest grows in the local brewery brewhouse as a place for locally sourced, custom made beers and beverages, the demand for smaller sizes and more versatile and flexible equipment continues to grow. Often, owners and brewmasters want to select equipment with the potential to grow as the brewery expands, so modular types of systems are seen as the most cost-effective and efficient option to consider.
Equipment Options
When selecting equipment for a brewery brewhouse, regardless of the size of the current production requirements, always think into the future. While it is challenging to anticipate production three, five, or ten years in advance, consider if you are planning or exploring options to increase your market size or increase offerings to different beer lines.
The quality of the equipment in any brewhouse is critical for production consistency. Cheap equipment may help you bring the installation and startup within a tight budget, but it may limit the ability to produce the highest quality of beers.
Look for equipment that is designed for the craft brewery. Companies that manufacture their own equipment are always preferable over buying through a middleman with limited expertise and ability to customize equipment to meet the needs of the brewery.
Finally, be sure to consider the option of automation, even with a small craft brewery. Automation of the process from the actual brewing through to bottling is a central factor in quality control and beer that offers consumers the same taste, carbonation levels and drinking experience with every bottle, can or keg.
