Author: CASSMAN Publish Time: 2025-09-05 Origin: CASSMAN BEER BREWING EQUIPMENT
Project Title: Engineering a High-Efficiency 25,000L Automated Brewing System to Fuel the National Growth of a Leading Chinese Craft Beer Brand
Client: "Panda Brew" , a highly successful and award-winning craft beer brand from Chengdu, China, famous for its modern take on classic styles.
Location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
The Chinese craft beer market has exploded in recent years, with consumers increasingly demanding high-quality, flavorful alternatives to mass-produced industrial lagers. "Panda Brew" was at the forefront of this movement. Starting as a single popular brewpub, their reputation for quality grew exponentially, leading to a network of taprooms and distribution deals that far outstripped their production capacity. To transition from a beloved regional champion to a dominant national brand, they needed to make a quantum leap in their production capabilities.
Panda Brew faced a critical strategic challenge: their success was limited by their inability to produce beer at scale. Their existing, smaller brewhouse was running 24/7 but could not meet the overwhelming demand from new markets across China.
Massive Scale-Up Required: The goal was to increase production capacity by over 1000%, moving from a small-batch system to a full-scale industrial production brewhouse capable of producing 25,000 liters per batch.
Absolute Consistency is Non-Negotiable: To protect their hard-won brand reputation across a vast country, every can and keg of their flagship IPA, from Beijing to Shanghai, had to taste identical. This required a level of process control that their old system could not provide.
Efficiency as a Competitive Edge: At this scale, inefficiencies in labor, energy, water, and ingredient usage would be magnified, directly impacting their bottom line and competitiveness. They needed a state-of-the-art system optimized for low operational costs.
The Need for a Reliable Local Partner: For an investment of this magnitude, Panda Brew needed more than just a supplier. They needed a local, accessible partner who understood the Chinese market, could provide rapid on-the-ground support, and would be accountable for the project's success from start to finish. Importing a system from Europe or North America presented risks in terms of cost, communication, and after-sales service.
As a leading Chinese manufacturer with a global reputation, CASSMAN was uniquely positioned to deliver. We provided a complete, turnkey solution centered around a state-of-the-art automated brewhouse.
Key System Features:
4-Vessel 25,000L Brewhouse Configuration: The core of the system was a high-performance 4-vessel brewhouse (Mash Tun, Lauter Tun, Kettle, Whirlpool). This configuration allows for multiple brews to be processed simultaneously (e.g., mashing a new batch while the previous one is boiling), enabling a production schedule of up to 8-10 brews per day.
Advanced Automation with Siemens PLC: The entire brewhouse was controlled by a central Siemens PLC system with an intuitive touchscreen HMI. This automated nearly every critical process, including:
Precise temperature and time control for multi-step mashing.
Automated water mixing and flow rates.
VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) control for all pumps and rakes, optimizing lautering and transfers.
Automated steam control for a consistent, rolling boil.
Fully programmable CIP (Clean-In-Place) sequences for all vessels and transfer lines.
Engineered for Peak Efficiency:
Steam Condensing System: A vapor condenser on the brew kettle recovers energy from the steam, using it to pre-heat water for the next brew, significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
Optimized Lauter Tun: The lauter tun was designed with a precision-engineered false bottom and a multi-port sparging system to achieve maximum extract efficiency, getting more beer from the same amount of grain.
The Power of Local Partnership: CASSMAN's local presence was a decisive advantage. Our engineering team worked face-to-face with Panda Brew's master brewer, ensuring every detail was perfect. The entire project was managed in Chinese, eliminating communication barriers.
The project was a model of efficiency and partnership.
Deep Dive & Customization: We began with intensive on-site consultations, mapping out Panda Brew's existing processes and future goals to design a system tailored to their specific recipes and production targets.
Integrated Facility Design: Our engineers provided detailed 3D layouts and utility requirements, working directly with the client's architects and construction team to ensure the new brewery building and the equipment were perfectly integrated.
Rapid On-Site Installation & Commissioning: Because CASSMAN's factory and technical teams were located within China, we were able to deploy a large installation team to the Chengdu site, drastically reducing installation time. There were no delays from international shipping or customs.
Comprehensive Operator Training: Our automation engineers conducted extensive training for the Panda Brew production team, ensuring they could harness the full power of the new automated system.
The new CASSMAN brewhouse transformed Panda Brew from a regional favorite into a national powerhouse.
Massive Production Capacity: The new system gave them an annual production capacity of over 150,000 Hectoliters (15 million liters), allowing them to confidently sign contracts with national distributors and supermarket chains.
Rock-Solid Consistency: The automated system eliminated human error, resulting in flawless batch-to-batch consistency. Their Brand Director noted, "Our beer is our reputation. CASSMAN's system ensures that a can of Panda IPA in Harbin is just as perfect as one poured in our home taproom in Chengdu."
Significant Cost Reductions: Automation and efficiency features led to a 25% reduction in labor costs per liter and a 20% decrease in energy consumption, making their product more competitive.
Foundation for Future Growth: Panda Brew now operates one of the most advanced and efficient craft breweries in China, with a platform built for decades of future growth.
The Panda Brew project highlights CASSMAN's leadership position within the Chinese brewing industry. We combine globally competitive technology and automation with the unbeatable advantages of local manufacturing, service, and support. For ambitious Chinese breweries looking to scale up and compete on a national stage, CASSMAN provides the most powerful, reliable, and cost-effective path to success.
CASSMAN: The Engine of China's Craft Beer Revolution.
