Determining the number of fermenters you need depends on several factors, including your production capacity, the types of beer you plan to produce, and the size of your brewing system. In this article, micet group will discuss some of the key factors to consider when deciding how many fermenters you need for your microbrewery.
Table of Contents:
- What is the production capacity?
- How many types of beer are there?
- What are the dimensions of the brewing system?
- What does planning for growth look like?
Table of Contents
What is the production capacity?
One of the most important factors to consider when determining the number of fermenters you need is your production capacity. This refers to the amount of beer you plan to produce over a given period of time, typically measured in barrels or liters. To calculate your production capacity, you will need to consider factors such as your brewing system size, the number of batches you plan to brew each day or week, and the amount of time required for fermentation and conditioning.
For example, let’s say you have a 5-barrel brewing system and plan to brew three batches per week. Assuming a fermentation time of two weeks and a conditioning time of one week, you would need a minimum of nine fermenters to keep up with your production schedule.
How many types of beer are there?
The types of beer you plan to produce can also impact the number of fermenters you need. Certain styles of beer, such as lagers, typically require longer fermentation times and lower temperatures than ales. This means that you may need additional fermenters if you plan to produce a variety of styles with different fermentation requirements.
For example, if you plan to produce both lagers and ales, you may need separate fermenters for each style to ensure that the temperature and fermentation time requirements are met. This can also be true for sour beers, which often require a separate set of fermenters to prevent contamination with other beers.
What are the dimensions of the brewing system?
The size of your brewing system can also impact the number of fermenters you need. Generally, the size of your fermenters should match the size of your brewing system. For example, if you have a 10-barrel brewing system, you would typically use 10-barrel fermenters to ensure that you can brew and ferment the same amount of beer.
However, it is also important to consider the amount of headspace in your fermenters. Headspace refers to the space in the fermenter above the beer, which is necessary to accommodate the foam that is created during fermentation. If there is not enough headspace, the foam can overflow and create a mess. As a general rule, you should aim for a headspace of at least 20% of the fermenter volume.
What does planning for growth look like?
When deciding how many fermenters you need, it is important to plan for future growth. While you may be able to start with a smaller number of fermenters initially, as your business grows, you may need to add additional fermenters to keep up with demand. It is often more cost-effective to purchase additional fermenters up front rather than having to retrofit your brewery later on.
Conclusion
Determining the number of fermenters you need for your microbrewery requires careful consideration of your production capacity, the types of beer you plan to produce, and the size of your brewing system. By planning for growth and investing in the appropriate equipment, you can ensure that your brewery is able to produce high-quality beer and meet the demands of your customers. If you have more questions, you can ask micet craft; they are experts in brewery solutions
