Starting a craft brewery requires careful planning, especially when selecting the
right brewing equipment. Whether you're a nano-brewery or a larger microbrewery, having the correct setup ensures efficiency, consistency, and high-quality beer production. This guide covers the essential pieces of equipment needed for a craft brewery, categorized by the brewing process stages.
1. Brewhouse Equipment
The brewhouse is where the mashing, lautering, boiling, and whirlpooling take place. Key components include:
Mash Tun
Used for mashing (converting grain starches into fermentable sugars).
Features a false bottom or screen to separate wort from spent grains.
Can be insulated or heated (direct-fire, steam, or electric).
Lauter Tun
Separates wort (liquid sugar extract) from grain husks.
Often combined with the mash tun in smaller systems (MLT – Mash-Lauter Tun).
Proper sparging (rinsing grains) improves efficiency.
Boil Kettle
Boils wort to sterilize it, extract hop bitterness, and evaporate unwanted compounds.
Made of stainless steel for durability and heat distribution.
Some have internal or external heating elements (electric, steam, or gas-fired).
Whirlpool Tank
Separates hops and trub (protein sediment) after boiling.
Uses centrifugal force to create a cone of solids at the bottom.
Can be integrated into the boil kettle in smaller systems.
2. Fermentation Equipment
Fermentation is where yeast converts sugars into alcohol and CO₂. Essential equipment includes:
Fermenters
Conical fermenters (most common) allow yeast and trub collection at the bottom.
Made of stainless steel (sanitary) or glass/plastic (small-scale).
Can be open (for certain Belgian styles) or closed (most modern breweries).
Unitanks (Combination Fermenter & Brite Tank)
Serve as both fermentation and conditioning tanks.
Reduce beer transfer risks (oxidation, contamination).
Often include pressure capabilities for carbonation.
Temperature Control Systems
Glycol jacketing maintains precise fermentation temps.
Heating/cooling coils regulate temperature for yeast health.
Critical for lagers and temperature-sensitive ales.
3. Cooling & Clarification Equipment
After boiling, wort must be cooled and clarified before fermentation.
Wort Chiller
Plate chillers (most efficient) rapidly cool wort using cold water/glycol.
Immersion chillers (simpler, slower) are common in small breweries.
Prevents DMS (dimethyl sulfide) formation and bacterial contamination.
Clarifiers & Filters
Centrifuges (high-end) remove yeast and haze quickly.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) filters or cartridge filters polish beer.
Some breweries skip filtration for hazy IPAs or natural conditioning.
4. Cleaning & Sanitation Systems
Brewery hygiene is critical to avoid off-flavors and contamination.
CIP (Clean-in-Place) System
Automatically cleans tanks, pipes, and kegs with caustic, acid, and sanitizer.
Reduces manual labor and ensures thorough sanitation.
Chemical Pumps & Spray Balls
Distribute cleaning solutions inside tanks.
Rotary spray balls improve coverage in hard-to-reach areas.
Keg & Bottle Washers
Reusable kegs and bottles must be sterilized before filling.
Automated systems save time in larger breweries.
5. Packaging Equipment
The final step is packaging beer into kegs, bottles, or cans.
Kegging System
CO₂-powered keg fillers minimize oxidation.
Keg washers clean and sanitize before reuse.
Canning & Bottling Lines
Manual fillers (small-scale) vs. automatic fillers (high-volume).
Counter-pressure fillers reduce foaming and oxygen pickup.
Labeling Machines
Apply pressure-sensitive or glue-based labels.
Essential for branding and compliance.
6. Quality Control & Lab Equipment
Ensuring consistent, high-quality beer requires testing tools.
Hydrometer & Refractometer
Measure original gravity (OG) and final gravity (FG).
Calculate alcohol by volume (ABV).
pH Meter
Monitors mash pH (ideal range: 5.2–5.6).
Affects enzyme activity and flavor.
Microscope & Cell Counter
Checks yeast health and viability.
Prevents fermentation issues.
7. Optional but Useful Equipment
Grain Mill
Crushes malt for better efficiency (vs. pre-milled grain).
Hop Doser
Adds late-hop additions for aroma without oxidation.
CO₂ Harvesting System
Captures fermentation CO₂ for carbonation, reducing costs.
Conclusion
A well-equipped craft brewery requires brewhouse, fermentation, cooling, cleaning, packaging, and lab equipment. The exact setup depends on brewery size, beer styles, and budget, but investing in quality, durable systems ensures long-term success.
FAQs
1. What’s the minimum equipment needed for a nano-brewery?
A 1-barrel (BBL) system typically includes:
Mash tun/boil kettle combo
Conical fermenter
Wort chiller
Basic kegging/bottling setup
2. How much does a commercial craft brewery setup cost?
100,000–100,000–1M+, depending on size (3 BBL vs. 30 BBL) and automation level.
3. Can I use homebrew equipment for a small craft brewery?
Not recommended—homebrew systems lack durability, volume, and compliance for commercial use.
Would you like recommendations for specific brands or suppliers? ?
Micet Craft Brewing Equipment Turnkey Solutions - Micet Group
