Quick Guide To Beer Brewing

Around the world, beer is not only a drink, but also a culture. Whether you drink it at a German beer festival or savor it in a craft beer bar in the United States, beer plays an irreplaceable role. So, how is beer brewed? This article will use easy-to-understand language to take you through the entire process of beer brewing in three minutes, and introduce the key role played by modern beer equipment in it.

Basic ingredients of beer

Beer brewing seems mysterious, but in fact there are only four basic ingredients: malt, water, hops and yeast.

Malt: Usually barley malt is used, which is the basic source of beer flavor and color.

Water: It accounts for more than 90% of the total amount of beer, and the water quality directly determines the taste of beer.

Hops: It gives beer a unique bitterness and aroma, and also has a preservative effect.

Yeast: It converts the sugar in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide, and is the soul of beer fermentation.

Main steps of beer brewing

The beer brewing process can be divided into five major steps: saccharification, filtration, boiling, fermentation and packaging. Each step requires high-quality brewing equipment and precise control.

1. Mashing

The malt is first crushed into coarse particles, called "malt powder", and then mixed with water in a saccharification pot and heated to a specific temperature range to convert the starch in the malt into fermentable sugar. This process lasts about 60 to 90 minutes and requires a saccharification system with precise temperature control.

2. Filtration (Lautering)

The saccharification liquid is filtered through the filter tank to separate the liquid wort and malt grains. The filtration effect directly affects the subsequent extraction efficiency of boiling and the clarity of beer.

3. Boiling & Hopping

The wort is pumped into the boiling pot for intense boiling, usually for 60 to 90 minutes. Hops are added in batches during this period to control the bitterness and aroma level of the beer, while sterilizing and precipitating protein.

4. Cooling & Fermentation

The boiled wort needs to be quickly cooled to the fermentation temperature (usually 1020°C) and then injected into the fermentation tank. After adding yeast, the fermentation process lasts for 721 days, during which alcohol, carbon dioxide and flavor substances are produced.

5. Maturation, Filtration & Packaging

After the main fermentation, the beer needs to be placed in the beer storage tank for low-temperature maturation to improve the taste stability. Some beers also need to be further filtered (such as industrial beer) and finally enter the filling process.

Core components of brewing equipment

Beer brewing is not only a craft, but also an engineering science. Modern craft brewing equipment improves efficiency and consistency, providing brewers with unlimited possibilities.

Saccharification system

It consists of saccharification pot, filter tank, boiling pot, and rotary settling tank, which is the "heart" of the entire brewing process.

Fermentation system

It consists of multiple cone-bottom fermentation tanks, equipped with refrigeration and cleaning systems to ensure that the fermentation temperature is accurately controlled.

CIP cleaning system

Automatically cleans pipes and tanks in a cycle to ensure that the hygiene level meets food safety standards.

Control system

PLC automatic control panel can monitor parameters such as temperature, pressure, liquid level in real time, improve operation convenience and data traceability.

Auxiliary system

Including chillers, hot water tanks, air compressors, CO₂ tanks, filters, etc., to build a complete brewing environment.

As China's leading beer equipment manufacturer, we focus on providing professional and reliable equipment solutions for global craft brewers: more than 15 years of industry experience, customers in Europe, America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa; customized on demand, providing a variety of models from 100L to 5000L; passed CE, ISO and other international certifications, in line with EU standards; provide design drawings, on-site guidance installation, training services; after-sales service response is fast, and accessories and technical support are provided all year round.

Although three minutes cannot brew a barrel of good beer, it can make you quickly understand the charm of brewing and the importance of equipment. Brewing is an art and a technology. From equipment selection to implementation, we are willing to provide every customer with professional, reliable and flexible solutions to help you brew your own craft story.