How To Plan Fermentation Equipment for A Small Craft Brewery – Expert Guide From DEGONG

1. Key Factors to Consider Before Purchasing

1.1 Define Production Capacity

Begin by estimating your daily or weekly brewing volume.

Since beer fermentation typically lasts 2–4 weeks, your total fermenter capacity should be around 3–4 times your daily brewing volume.

➡️ For example: If you brew 500 L/day, you’ll need roughly 1500–2000 L total tank capacity to maintain continuous production and accommodate overlapping batches.

DEGONG Tip: Always plan with future growth in mind — it’s easier to expand piping and glycol systems early than to retrofit later.

1.2 Site Layout and Installation Conditions

Before ordering your tanks, carefully check:

• Ceiling Height: Conical fermenters require vertical clearance for fittings and piping.

• Floor Strength: A single 2000 L tank can weigh several tons when full — confirm floor load capacity.

• Space for Piping: Reserve areas for glycol cooling, CIP (clean-in-place), drainage, and walkways to allow easy maintenance.

DEGONG’s engineering team can assist with layout drawings and installation guidance to optimize space usage.

1.3 Brewing Style and Product Positioning

The beer styles you plan to produce will shape your equipment needs:

• Ales, IPAs, and craft specialties demand precise temperature control and higher finishing quality.

• Lagers or high-volume beers may prioritize larger tanks with robust but simpler design.

• Clarify your market position and flavor goals before selecting equipment.

1.4 Budget Control

Fermentation tanks usually account for 30–40% of total brewing system investment. While it’s tempting to overbuild, balance functionality and cost:

• Start with a “core set” of fermenters.

• Choose modular systems that can expand as your business grows.

• Focus spending on tank quality, material, and cooling performance first.

DEGONG offers scalable system configurations — start small and grow confidently.

1.5 Future Scalability

Even if your brewery is small now, design with expansion in mind:

• Reserve space for additional tanks.

• Install extra glycol connection ports and adequate chiller capacity.

• Choose a control system that can integrate future automation.

DEGONG’s modular brewery design philosophy ensures every initial setup can be smoothly upgraded later.

2. Choosing the Right Fermentation Tanks

2.1 Tank Capacity and Quantity

For a small craft brewery brewing 1000 L per day, consider:

• 3–4 × 2000 L fermenters (for staggered batches and flexibility).

• Or start with fewer, larger tanks if your brewing schedule is limited.

DEGONG provides customized fermenter sizes from 100 L to 10,000 L, each tailored for your brewing plan.

2.2 Material and Finish

All DEGONG fermenters are built with food-grade stainless steel:

• SUS 304 – ideal for most beers, cost-effective.

• SUS 316L – superior corrosion resistance, recommended for acidic or sour beers.

• Every weld is argon-shielded, polished, and passivated to achieve a mirror interior finish (Ra ≤ 0.4 μm), ensuring hygiene and long service life.

2.3 Cooling and Temperature Control

Stable temperature means stable flavor. DEGONG tanks include:

• Dual-zone glycol jackets for uniform cooling and precise control.

• Digital temperature sensors with ±0.1 °C accuracy.

• Optional PLC or touchscreen controllers for automated regulation.

These features help maintain yeast vitality and improve beer consistency.

2.4 Cleaning and Maintenance Design

Each DEGONG fermenter comes equipped with:

• CIP spray ball for thorough cleaning of internal surfaces.

• Sampling port, sight glass, pressure gauge, and racking arm for operational convenience.

• Sanitary butterfly valves and tri-clamp connections for easy assembly and disassembly.

The goal: reduce downtime and keep every batch contamination-free.

3. Planning Your Fermentation Setup

3.1 Example Layout

Suppose you brew 1000 L/day and have a 21-day fermentation cycle:

• Option 1: 4 × 2000 L fermenters — optimal for staggered batches and consistent production.

• Option 2: 3 × 2000 L fermenters — cost-saving start, but tighter scheduling.

Remember, total fermentation capacity ≈ 3–4 × daily brew volume.

3.2 Budget Breakdown

Typical investment ratio for small breweries:

• Fermentation section: 35%

• Brewhouse section: 30%

• Cooling and control system: 15%

• Packaging and utilities: 20%

DEGONG Recommendation: Focus your early investment on fermentation and cooling — these two areas most directly affect product quality.

3.3 Supplier Selection and After-Sales Support

A high-quality supplier should provide:

• Engineering consultation and layout service

• Spare parts availability

• Remote technical support

• On-site installation and training

DEGONG offers full turnkey brewing solutions — from design to commissioning — ensuring your first brewery starts smoothly and safely.

4. Installation and Commissioning Checklist

Before first use, always verify:

• Tanks are leveled and anchored securely.

• Glycol system is pressure-tested and leak-free.

• CIP system reaches all internal surfaces.

• Temperature sensors and control panels are calibrated.

• Safety valves and pressure gauges function correctly.

DEGONG technicians can guide you through on-site testing and start-up procedures.

5. Conclusion

Your first set of fermentation tanks will determine your brewery’s future. With DEGONG’s professional design, quality materials, and modular system architecture, small craft breweries can achieve reliable production, stable flavor, and easy future expansion. DEGONG doesn’t just build tanks — we build long-term brewing systems that grow with your business.