Author: Henry Chen Publish Time: 2025-09-29 Origin: CASSMAN BEER BREWING EQUIPMENT
Hey there! I'm Henry Chen, the CEO of Jinan Cassman Machinery Co., Ltd. I've been in the beer equipment manufacturing game for 20 years, and we've served over 500 breweries worldwide. Starting a brewery is an exciting venture, but it can also be a bit overwhelming, especially when it comes to figuring out what equipment you need. In this blog post, I'm going to walk you through all the essential equipment you'll need to get your brewery up and running. By the end of this post, you'll have a clear understanding of what to invest in and how to make the most of your brewing equipment.
Mashing Tuns and Kettles: These are where the magic happens. The mashing tun is used to mix the crushed malt with hot water to extract the sugars, creating the wort. The kettle is then used to boil the wort and add hops for flavor and bitterness. For example, a 10HL brewhouse would require a mashing tun and kettle of appropriate size. You can think of it like a big kitchen pot where you're cooking up your beer recipe.
Malt Mill: A malt mill is essential for crushing the malt to access the starch in the grain. It's a simple device with rollers that crush the malt as it passes through. For a 10HL system, you'll want a mill that can handle around 300 - 350Kg per hour. We've sold many malt mills to breweries around the world, and they've all been very satisfied with the performance.
Heat Exchanger: The heat exchanger is used to cool down the hot wort quickly after boiling. This is important to stop the cooking process and prepare the wort for fermentation. It's like a radiator for your wort, transferring the heat out and cooling it down.
Fermentation Vessels (FV) : These are where the yeast turns the sugars in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide. You'll need enough FVs to handle your production volume. For example, if you're planning to produce 10HL of beer per batch, you'll need FVs with a combined capacity of at least that much. The FVs should be made of high - quality stainless steel to ensure hygiene and durability.
Bright Beer Tanks (BBT) : After fermentation, the beer is transferred to BBTs for conditioning and clarification. This is where the beer matures and becomes clear. BBTs are usually equipped with cooling systems to maintain the right temperature for conditioning.
Glycol Cooling System: During fermentation, the temperature can rise, and you need to keep it under control. A glycol cooling system, which includes a glycol tank, pipework, and a pump, is used to cool the FVs. The glycol circulates through the pipework between the inner and outer walls of the FV, without coming into contact with the beer. For a 10HL brewhouse and 130HL of cellar tanks, a 12HP chiller unit, glycol tank, and pump would cost around US$10,500.
Kegging System: If you plan to supply kegs of your beer to local restaurants and bars, you'll need a kegging system. This includes metal kegs, a keg washer, and a keg filler. You'll also need to have a cooling space to store the kegs until they're ready to be delivered.
Bottling and Canning System: Whether you choose to bottle or can your beer, or both, you'll need the appropriate equipment. A bottling machine can fill and cap bottles, while a canning machine can fill and seal cans. You'll need to consider the production capacity and the type of beer you're packaging when choosing the right system.
Clean - in - Place (CIP) System: A CIP system is used to clean the brewing equipment without disassembling it. It's like a self - cleaning mechanism for your brewery. It typically includes a cleaning solution tank, pumps, and pipes to circulate the cleaning solution through the equipment.
Beer Hose: You'll need beer hoses to transfer beer from one tank to another and for cleaning the tanks. The hoses should be food - grade, anti - vacuum, and able to handle temperatures above 100°C. A set of beer hoses can cost around US$1500.
Control Panels: Control panels are used to regulate the temperature of the FVs and the brewhouse. They allow you to set and monitor the brewing parameters, ensuring consistent quality. For both the FV and brewhouse control panels, you can expect to pay around US$3,250.
Sensors and Meters: Sensors and meters are used to measure various parameters such as temperature, pressure, and pH. They provide real - time data to help you make adjustments during the brewing process. For example, a pH meter can help you ensure that the wort has the right acidity for fermentation.
Water Filtering System: Water is a major ingredient in beer, and its quality can have a significant impact on the taste and quality of the final product. A water filtering system is used to remove impurities such as chlorine, sediment, and heavy metals from the water.
Water Softener: Hard water can cause problems during the brewing process, such as scaling in the equipment. A water softener is used to reduce the hardness of the water by removing calcium and magnesium ions.
Hydrometer: A hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity of the wort and beer. It helps you determine the alcohol content and the progress of fermentation. For example, by measuring the specific gravity before and after fermentation, you can calculate the alcohol by volume (ABV).
Microscope: A microscope can be used to examine the yeast cells and check for any signs of contamination. It's an important tool for ensuring the quality and consistency of your beer.
pH Testing Kit: As mentioned earlier, the pH of the wort and beer is crucial for fermentation and flavor. A pH testing kit allows you to measure the pH accurately and make adjustments if necessary.
Oxygen Testing Kit: Oxygen can have a negative impact on the flavor and shelf - life of beer. An oxygen testing kit can help you measure the dissolved oxygen levels in the beer and take steps to minimize oxygen exposure.
Cost of Equipment: The cost of brewing equipment can vary widely depending on the size, quality, and features. It's important to set a budget and prioritize the equipment based on your needs. For example, if you're just starting out, you may want to focus on the essential equipment and upgrade later as your business grows.
Long - Term Costs: In addition to the initial purchase price, you also need to consider the long - term costs such as maintenance, energy consumption, and replacement parts. For example, a more energy - efficient piece of equipment may cost more upfront but can save you money in the long run.
Current and Future Needs: You need to consider your current production capacity as well as your future growth plans when choosing equipment. If you expect to expand your brewery in the future, you may want to invest in equipment that can handle higher production volumes.
Flexibility: Look for equipment that is flexible and can be easily adjusted or upgraded. For example, a modular brewhouse system can be expanded by adding additional vessels as your production needs increase.
Brand Reputation: Choose equipment from reputable brands that have a proven track record in the brewing industry. A well - known brand is more likely to provide high - quality equipment and good after - sales service.
Warranty and Support: Make sure the equipment comes with a warranty and that the manufacturer offers good technical support. This can give you peace of mind knowing that you're covered in case of any issues.
In conclusion, starting a brewery requires a significant investment in equipment, but it's also a rewarding venture. By understanding the essential equipment you need for the brewing process, auxiliary equipment, quality control, and considering factors such as budget, production capacity, and quality, you can make informed decisions and set your brewery up for success. Remember, at Jinan Cassman Machinery Co., Ltd., we've been in the business for 20 years and have served over 500 breweries worldwide. We're here to help you every step of the way, from choosing the right equipment to providing technical support. If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact us at Email: inquiry@cassmanbrew.com。
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