EnglishViews: 27 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-22 Origin: Site
Planning a commercial brewery involves much more than choosing brewing equipment. One of the most critical — and often underestimated — factors is the industrial building itself. An unsuitable building can limit production capacity, increase costs, or even prevent regulatory approval.
This guide outlines the key industrial building requirements for a commercial brewery, helping investors, brewery owners, and project planners make informed decisions from the very beginning. Based on real project experience, DEGONG provides practical insights to avoid costly mistakes and ensure long-term scalability.
A commercial brewery is classified as a food and beverage manufacturing facility, typically falling under light to medium industrial use. It is not simply a retail or hospitality space.
Suitable building types usually include:
Light industrial buildings
Food-grade manufacturing facilities
Converted warehouses with reinforced floors
Before selecting a site, it is essential to confirm that the building zoning and local regulations allow:
Alcohol production
Installation of boilers and pressure vessels
Industrial wastewater discharge
CO₂ use and ventilation systems
Early confirmation with local authorities can prevent significant delays later in the project.
Space requirements depend heavily on brewhouse size, fermentation capacity, packaging method, and future expansion plans. Many breweries underestimate space needs, especially for fermentation, cold storage, and logistics.
Typical space guidelines:
| Brewhouse Size | Minimum Production Area | Recommended Total Area |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 BBL | 150–250 m² | 300–500 m² |
| 7–10 BBL | 300–500 m² | 600–900 m² |
| 15–20 BBL | 600–900 m² | 1,200–2,000 m² |
| 30+ BBL | ≥1,200 m² | ≥2,500 m² |
Best practice: always reserve 30–40% additional space for future expansion. Successful breweries grow faster than expected.
Brewing equipment is extremely heavy. A single full fermentation tank can weigh several tons. Many standard warehouse floors are not designed for such point loads.
Recommended floor specifications:
Reinforced concrete slab
Load capacity typically ≥ 3,000–4,000 PSI
Designed for point loads from tank legs
Chemical-resistant floor coating
A structural engineer should always verify floor strength before equipment installation.
Ceiling height directly affects tank selection and future scalability.
General recommendations:
Minimum clear height: ~4.5 m (small breweries)
Ideal height: 6–8 m for commercial breweries
Higher ceilings allow larger tanks, safer maintenance, and easier expansion
Inadequate height is one of the most common and costly design limitations.
Breweries consume significant amounts of water — often 4–7 liters of water per liter of beer produced. Both supply and drainage must be carefully planned.
Stable, high-flow municipal water connection
Adequate pressure for cleaning and CIP systems
Optional water treatment (carbon filtration, RO, mineral adjustment)
Sloped floors (1–2%)
Trench drains with acid- and heat-resistant materials
Compliance with local wastewater regulations
Possible need for pH neutralization or solids separation
Ignoring wastewater requirements is a frequent cause of operational shutdowns.
Commercial breweries require industrial-grade utilities, especially as automation and packaging are added.
Three-phase power is essential
Typical demand ranges from 200A to 800A+ depending on scale
Dedicated electrical panels for brewhouse, cooling, and packaging
Electric heating or steam boilers
Natural gas or LPG supply where applicable
Heating choice depends on energy cost, capacity, and local regulations
DEGONG supports breweries in selecting energy-efficient heating solutions matched to local conditions.
Brewing generates large volumes of steam, heat, and humidity — especially during wort boiling.
Effective ventilation includes:
Steam hoods above brewhouse kettles
High-capacity exhaust fans
Fresh air intake for pressure balance
Optional heat recovery systems
Proper ventilation protects building structure, improves worker comfort, and extends equipment life.
Fire safety is a critical requirement due to the presence of:
Alcohol vapors
Pressurized vessels
Boilers and heating systems
Typical safety measures include:
Fire sprinkler systems (as required by building size)
Fire-rated walls and zones
Clearly marked emergency exits
CO₂ monitoring and alarms in fermentation areas
Safe storage areas for chemicals and flammable materials
Early coordination with fire authorities significantly simplifies approval.
An efficient brewery layout follows a one-directional process flow:
Raw materials → Brewing → Fermentation → Packaging → Cold storage → Shipping
Key layout principles:
Clear separation of hot and cold zones
Dedicated CIP and cleaning areas
Defined forklift and pedestrian paths
Good layout reduces contamination risk and improves productivity.
A well-designed brewery anticipates growth:
Space reserved for additional fermenters
Oversized utility connections where possible
Modular brewhouse and tank designs
DEGONG designs brewery systems with scalability in mind, helping clients expand without rebuilding.
One of the most common project failures occurs when equipment is selected before confirming building suitability.
Best practice is an integrated approach:
Building layout designed around equipment dimensions
Floor load, ceiling height, and access planned in advance
Close coordination between brewery equipment supplier, architect, and engineers
At DEGONG, we support clients with layout planning, equipment drawings, and technical coordination to ensure a smooth installation process.
Choose an industrial building approved for food and alcohol production
Verify floor load capacity and ceiling height early
Plan water supply and wastewater systems carefully
Ensure sufficient electrical power and heating capacity
Design effective ventilation and steam exhaust
Comply with fire and safety regulations
Optimize process flow and leave room for expansion
Coordinate building design with brewing equipment from the start
A commercial brewery is a long-term investment. The right building foundation ensures efficiency, compliance, and sustainable growth.
