DEGONG Brewing Process And Equipment Sharing

Overview of Beer Brewing Equipment

Beer brewing equipment is the core tool for the entire beer production process, from raw materials to finished product. It primarily includes malt mills, mash tuns, filtration equipment, boiling kettles, coolers, fermentation tanks, storage tanks, fillers, and related supporting systems. Different types of beer brewing equipment vary depending on production output, degree of automation, and process requirements, ranging from small-scale home equipment to fully automated industrial-grade brewing systems.

1. Home and Micro Brewery Equipment

Home and micro equipment are suitable for craft beer enthusiasts and small bars. They typically feature ease of operation, a small footprint, and high mobility. Equipment types include:

Small mash tuns: used for malt mashing and mash liquor preparation, typically with a capacity of 10–50 liters.

Micro fermenters: used for small-batch fermentation, typically with temperature control and pressure display.

Portable chillers: quickly cool boiled wort to fermentation temperature.

The advantages of micro equipment are low investment cost and ease of operation. However, their disadvantages are limited production capacity, making them suitable for experimental brewing or small-batch craft beer production.

2. Industrial and Commercial Brewing Equipment

Industrial brewing equipment is suitable for medium- to large-scale breweries, featuring high production capacity, high automation, and robust reliability. This equipment includes:

Large mash tuns and filtration systems: High-capacity, multi-layered filters capable of processing several tons of malt simultaneously.

Automatic brewing tuns: Automated heating, dosing, and boiling time control.

Tube coolers and heat exchange systems: Efficiently cool wort to ensure stable fermentation temperatures.

Fermentation and storage tanks: Equipped with temperature and pressure control and automated cleaning (CIP) systems to ensure beer quality.

Filling and packaging equipment: Includes automatic fillers and sealers for bottling, canning, and kegging.

Industrial equipment is typically constructed of stainless steel and meets food-grade hygiene standards, making it suitable for large-scale production and export beer.

Core Components and Functions of Beer Brewing Equipment

1. Malt Grinder

The malt grinder is the first step in brewing. It grinds the malt to the appropriate particle size, increasing the contact area between the starch and the saccharify solution and improving saccharification efficiency. Grinders are generally classified into the following types:

Drum grinder: Suitable for small and medium-sized breweries and easy to operate.

Roller grinder: Precisely controls the malt grind size, reduces hull breakage, and facilitates filtration.

2. Mash Tun

The mash tun mixes the malt with water and uses enzymatic hydrolysis to convert the starch into fermentable sugars. Key parameters include:

Capacity (selected based on production scale);

Temperature control system (maintains a stable temperature to ensure enzyme activity);

Stirring system (ensures thorough mixing of the malt and water);

3. Filtration Equipment (Lauter Tun)

After saccharification, the wort needs to be separated from the malt residue. Filtration equipment removes solid particles and produces clear wort. The main types are:

Bottom filter structure: Suitable for small-batch production

Rotary filter: Suitable for large-scale industrial production, with high efficiency and a high degree of automation

4. Brew Kettle

After filtering, the wort enters the brew kettle. The boiling process performs the following:

Sterilization: Ensures the wort is free of harmful microorganisms

Hops: Adds aroma and bitterness

Evaporates water: Concentrates the wort and enhances the beer flavor

Break kettles are typically equipped with temperature control and pressure safety devices. Some high-end equipment can achieve fully automatic dosing and boiling control.

5. Heat Exchanger

After boiling, the wort needs to be quickly cooled to fermentation temperature. Coolers use tubular or plate heat exchangers:

Efficient cooling: Cools the wort quickly, reducing the risk of microbial contamination

Energy-saving design: Recovers waste heat through heat exchange, improving energy efficiency

6. Fermentation Tank

The fermentation tank is the core equipment in beer brewing, carrying out the process of converting saccharify liquid into alcohol. Features include:

Temperature control system: Maintains optimal fermentation temperature

Pressure control system: Ensures CO₂ release and stable beer foam

CIP cleaning system: Facilitates automated cleaning, reducing labor costs

Brewing equipment is a core tool for ensuring beer flavor, quality, and production efficiency. From malt grinding to filling and packaging, every process requires precise control and high-quality equipment support. Whether it's a home brewer or a large industrial brewery, selecting the right brewing equipment and properly allocating production capacity and automation levels are key to achieving high-quality beer production. With technological advancements and growing market demand, modern brewing equipment is developing towards automation, intelligence, energy conservation, and environmental protection, providing solid technical support for the beer industry.