What Core Modules Does A Complete Set Of Beer Equipment Include?

Beer, as one of the most popular drinks in the world, has experienced hundreds of years of development and evolution in its brewing process. With the continuous growth of the craft beer market, more and more breweries, catering companies and even individual entrepreneurs have joined the craze of beer production. However, brewing a cup of beer with excellent taste and unique flavor cannot be accomplished by recipe or experience alone, but relies on a complete set of scientific and systematic beer equipment. This article will analyze in detail from a professional perspective what core modules a complete set of beer equipment contains, the functions and roles of each module, and the key issues to be considered during the procurement and layout process.

Malt crushing system

1 Functional overview

Malt crushing is the first step in the beer brewing process. Its purpose is to crush barley malt into particles suitable for saccharification, so that the internal starch can be more easily converted into fermentable sugar by saccharifying enzymes.

2 Common equipment

Double-roll mill/multi-roll mill: The gap can be adjusted according to demand to control the degree of crushing.

Screw conveying system: convey the crushed malt to the saccharification tank or saccharification platform.

3 Key technical points

The degree of crushing should be moderate, ensuring sufficient surface area to promote saccharification, and retaining the integrity of the husk to provide physical support for subsequent filtration.

Brewhouse

The saccharification system is the core link of beer brewing. Its function is to convert the crushed malt into maltose liquid in hot water.

1 Core equipment module

(1) Mash Tun

Realizes the malt saccharification process and converts starch into fermentable sugar.

Usually equipped with steam heating or electric heating system.

(2) Lauter Tun

Separates wort and spent grains.

Equipped with filter plate, agitator and liquid outlet.

(3) Kettle

Used to boil wort, kill bacteria, dissolve hops and stabilize wort components.

At the same time, it promotes protein coagulation to form thermal coagulants.

(4) Whirlpool

Remove suspended matter and sediment after boiling.

Forms a wort vortex to promote the thermal coagulants to settle in the center of the tank.

2 Saccharification platform configuration type

Two-vessel system: saccharification/filtration + boiling/spinning integration, suitable for small breweries.

Three-vessel system: independent saccharification pot, filtration tank and boiling pot to improve production efficiency.

Four-vessel system: highly automated and industrialized configuration, suitable for medium and large breweries.

Cooling system

After the wort is boiled, it must be quickly cooled to the fermentation temperature (usually 18~25℃ or lower) to prevent contamination by bacteria and enter the fermentation state.

1 Plate heat exchanger

Principle: The wort and cooling water/ice water exchange heat in the plate in countercurrent.

Advantages: fast cooling speed and high heat recovery rate.

2 Cooling water tank & chilled water system

The chilled water or ethylene glycol liquid circulation system is used to provide low-temperature cooling medium.

Accurate temperature control ensures stable cooling of the wort.

Fermentation system

The fermentation system is one of the most critical modules in the brewing process, which directly affects the flavor, alcohol content and taste of beer.

1 Fermenter

Made of stainless steel, with mirror polished inner surface.

Equipped with cooling jacket, temperature control system, CIP cleaning device, sampling valve, safety valve, etc.

Cleaning and disinfection system (CIP)

1 Function and composition

Realizes the circulation cleaning of fermentation tanks, wort pipelines, and saccharification systems.

Usually consists of acid tank, alkali tank, hot water tank, and recovery tank.

2 Advantages

Ensure the hygiene and safety of equipment and reduce the risk of contamination.

Realize automatic circulation cleaning to improve efficiency and operational safety.

Public auxiliary system

1 Steam boiler

Provide heat source for saccharification heating and cleaning system.

Different boiler types such as electric heating, fuel oil, gas, biomass, etc. can be selected.

2 Air compressor system

Provide air source for fermentation tank valves, control systems and filling machines.

3 Refrigeration system

Includes chiller, ethylene glycol tank, condenser, etc.

Control fermentation temperature and finished beer storage environment.

A complete set of beer equipment is a comprehensive system covering multiple professional links. Whether it is a small craft brewery or a large or medium-sized commercial brewery, it is necessary to scientifically configure equipment modules according to actual conditions such as output, product type, and operation mode to achieve stable and efficient production.

If you need further information about specific models, process solutions or customized solutions, please contact us to get the configuration recommendations that best suit your needs.