Author: CASSMAN Publish Time: 2025-09-05 Origin: CASSMAN BEER BREWING EQUIPMENT
Project Title: Empowering an American Entrepreneur with a UL-Certified 5BBL Brewery and Integrated Canning Line
Client: "Oakhaven Brewing Co.," a startup brewery founded by passionate homebrewers aiming to create a community-focused brand with wide local distribution.
Location: North Carolina, USA
The American craft beer dream is alive and well, but the path from passionate homebrewer to successful commercial brewery is fraught with challenges. The founders of "Oakhaven Brewing Co." had a clear vision: build a local brand known for fresh, high-quality IPAs and Lagers, available both on tap in their taproom and in cans at local retailers. This dual-revenue model required not just a reliable brewhouse, but a seamless and efficient packaging solution from day one. They needed a partner who understood the unique challenges of a US startup, from stringent safety regulations to the critical importance of shelf-stable canned beer.
Launching a brewery in the competitive US market required overcoming four significant hurdles:
The Regulatory Maze (UL & ASME): This was the biggest barrier. All electrical components and control panels required UL certification to pass local safety inspections and obtain insurance. Furthermore, pressure vessels (fermenters, brite tanks) often require an ASME stamp to comply with state and local regulations. Non-compliance means you cannot legally operate.
Integrated Packaging is Paramount: Simply making good beer isn't enough. To succeed in retail, the beer must be packaged perfectly. This meant finding a canning line that was not only affordable but could deliver extremely low levels of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) to ensure the flavor stability of their hop-forward IPAs.
Space, Budget, and Efficiency: Like most startups, Oakhaven was operating with limited capital and had secured a compact commercial space. They needed a system with a small footprint, high efficiency, and a "plug-and-play" design to minimize costly on-site installation time.
Reliability and Post-Sale Support: For a small team, equipment downtime can be catastrophic. They needed a robust system and a partner who could provide responsive technical support, especially for the mechanically complex canning line.
CASSMAN delivered a comprehensive, turnkey solution specifically designed for the American startup brewer: a 5BBL Skid-Mounted Brewhouse and an integrated 2-Head Counter-Pressure Canning Line.
Key System Features:
Fully UL & ASME Compliant: Our "US-Spec" package addressed regulations head-on. The brewhouse control panel was built in a UL-certified panel shop, featuring a NEMA 4X stainless steel enclosure and UL-listed components. The fermenters and brite tanks were offered with the option for a full ASME U-Stamp, complete with all necessary documentation for inspectors.
Integrated Counter-Pressure Canning: We provided our CASSMAN 2-head counter-pressure canning line, specifically designed to achieve industry-leading low DO levels. This technology ensures a gentle fill and effective CO2 purging, protecting the beer's delicate aromas and extending its shelf life.
Compact Skid-Mounted Brewhouse: The 5BBL 2-vessel brewhouse (Mash/Lauter Tun and Kettle/Whirlpool), heat exchanger, and pumps were all pre-assembled and hard-piped on a single stainless steel skid. This dramatically reduced installation complexity and time, allowing the client to get up and running faster.
Remote Commissioning and Training: To provide a cost-effective support solution, we offered comprehensive remote commissioning. Our engineers guided the client's local plumber and electrician via video calls and provided detailed, step-by-step training on operating both the brewhouse and the canning line.
Our process was designed to de-risk the entire project for the client.
Compliance as Priority One: Before manufacturing, we worked with the Oakhaven team to confirm all local electrical and pressure vessel code requirements, ensuring our UL and ASME package would guarantee a first-pass inspection approval.
Holistic System Design: We designed the brewery and canning line as a single, cohesive system. The layout was optimized for a logical workflow, from milling and brewing to fermentation, carbonation, and finally, packaging.
Factory Pre-Assembly and Testing: The entire brewhouse skid was fully assembled and water-tested in our factory. The control panel was powered on and all functions were verified. This "factory acceptance" minimized on-site variables and potential problems.
Guided "Plug-and-Play" Installation: The skid arrived ready to be positioned. The client simply needed to connect water, power, and steam/drains. Our remote engineering support turned a potentially week-long installation into a two-day process.
The Oakhaven Brewing Co. launch was a huge success, directly attributable to the integrated and compliant system.
Passed Inspections with Ease: Thanks to the UL-certified panel and ASME documentation, the brewery passed all its local building and safety inspections without any issues, a major relief for the startup.
Successful Brand Launch: Oakhaven was able to offer both draft beer in their taproom and 4-packs of cans for takeaway from their grand opening. This immediately established their retail presence and maximized revenue.
Exceptional Package Quality: The canning line performed flawlessly, achieving consistently low DO levels below 30 ppb. This ensured their hazy IPAs tasted just as fresh in the can as they did from the tap. The founder commented, "The ability to can our beer reliably from day one was a game-changer. CASSMAN didn't just sell us equipment; they sold us a viable business model."
Foundation for Growth: With a reliable production and packaging system, Oakhaven quickly signed with a local distributor and saw their cans appear in bottle shops and grocery stores across the region.
The Oakhaven Brewing Co. project demonstrates CASSMAN's deep understanding of the American craft beer market and the needs of its entrepreneurs. By providing a complete, compliant, and easy-to-install "Brew-to-Can" solution, we empower startups to overcome the significant hurdles of regulation and packaging. We provide the essential tools for turning a passion for beer into a successful, distributable brand.
For American brewing entrepreneurs ready to make their mark, CASSMAN delivers the complete, certified solution to get you from dream to distribution.
