Exploring the secrets of "beer equipment" - the behind-the-scenes hero driving the upgrade of the brewing industry

1. Beer equipment: evolution from the past to the present

Since the mechanized production of the beer industry in the 19th century, it has been closely related to the innovation of equipment. Early breweries were mainly operated manually, with simple equipment and limited output. After entering the 20th century, with the application of stainless steel materials, stainless brewing equipment became the industry standard, replacing traditional copper tanks and wooden barrels, greatly improving hygiene and durability.

At the end of the 20th century, a wave of craft brewery equipment emerged in Europe and the United States, and small craft breweries emerged. They favored flexible and changeable brew systems, such as the modular-brew system imported from Germany, which can support small-batch, multi-variety innovative experiments. At the same time, large-scale commercial brewing systems are also constantly upgrading, introducing automated control and digital monitoring to achieve continuous fermenter online fermentation and quality tracking.

2. Segmented equipment: from fermentation tanks to integrated systems

Unitank

Definition: a stainless steel tank that integrates fermentation, aging and post-treatment.

Advantages: reduces secondary transport pollution and shortens production cycle; can achieve pressure fermentation, which is conducive to retaining beer CO₂.

Continuous Fermenter

Definition: a continuous flow fermentation system suitable for high-volume industrial production.

Advantages: continuous feeding and discharging, high fermentation efficiency and stable process.

Fermzilla All Rounder

Definition: a multifunctional household or small workshop fermentation tank made in the UK, compatible with pressure and normal pressure modes.

Application: highly recommended by many brewing equipment companies for small-batch concept verification and product development.

Brewery Tanks

Including saccharification tanks, boiling tanks, wine filtering tanks and CIP cleaning tanks, etc., are typical brewing equipment components.

Beer Fermentation Tank

Usually refers to a special fermentation tank, which is divided into a variety of models such as a cone bottom fermenter (cylindro conical fermenter), a round bottom tank, and a pressure tank.

Fermenator

The modular design of assembled parts allows the rapid addition and subtraction of functional components according to demand, combining flexibility and economy.

1 bbl Fermenter

Standard micro brewing unit, 1 bbl (about 117 liters), commonly used in small handmade workshops or home-style craft brewing.

3. Major Brewing Equipment Companies in the World

Company Name Main Products Representative Equipment Country/Region

John Teutsch GmbH Commercial stainless steel fermentation system, CIP equipment Commercial brewing system Germany

JVNW GmbH Small to medium brewery tanks Unitank series Germany

Ss Brewtech Home and laboratory brewing system Fermzilla All Rounder United States

Brewmation Automation integrated control system Continuous fermenter United States

Brewhaus Equipments Customized stainless steel brewing line Stainless steel brewing equipment China

Through continuous technological innovation, the above-mentioned companies continue to expand their rich product lines from single tanks to modularization,

 from manual to fully automatic. Under the dual pressure of global economy and environmental protection, efficient, energy-saving and intelligent commercial 

brewing systems are favored by end users.

4. Technology-driven: Intelligence and sustainable development

Digitalization and automated control

Real-time monitoring and adjustment of key parameters such as temperature, pressure, and sugar content through PLC and SCADA systems to reduce manual intervention and reduce errors.

Typical applications: brewery tanks with automatic CIP cleaning, beer fermentation tanks that automatically adjust the coolant flow during the fermentation stage.

Green manufacturing and energy saving and emission reduction

Use technologies such as vacuum concentration and waste heat recovery to improve energy efficiency; use reusable stainless brewing equipment to extend equipment life and reduce material waste.

New materials and coating applications make cleaning more efficient, reduce the amount of detergent used, and promote sustainable brewing practices.

Modular and flexible production

Small brewery equipment companies have launched detachable and upgradeable 1 bbl fermenters and unitanks to meet the needs of multi-variety small batch production.

Customized brew system accelerates the new product development cycle and reduces inventory risks.

5. Industry Challenges and Future Trends

Quality Control: With the increase in craft beer brands, product homogeneity is serious. The refined control capabilities of continuous fermenters and cylindro conical fermenters will be the key to improving taste stability and consistency.

Cost Pressure: Global raw material price fluctuations and rising labor costs have driven companies to upgrade to high-efficiency, automated commercial brewing systems.

Policies and Regulations: Countries have increasingly stringent requirements for food safety and environmental protection, and the hygiene performance and environmental protection indicators of stainless brewing equipment have become important considerations for equipment procurement.

Market Segmentation: Home craft brewing, catering homemade, commercial chain... In different scenarios, the specifications and functional requirements of brew systems and brewery tanks vary significantly, and customized services will become the winning magic weapon for brewing equipment companies.

Conclusion

"Beer equipment" seems to be behind the scenes, but it directly affects the quality and flavor of a glass of beer. From the world's leading commercial brewing system to the home smart brew system, from the multifunctional fermzilla all rounder to the large unitank and **continuous fermenter**, each type of equipment is promoting industrial upgrading and meeting diversified consumer needs. In the future, with the deepening of digitalization, greening and customization, more innovative stainless brewing equipment and automation solutions will continue to emerge, helping the beer industry move towards a new era of higher quality and higher efficiency.