Microbrewery Components?

ChefyTim · 02-27-2009, 03:45 PM

Hey,
Anyone know where I can learn more about the equipment needed in a Microbrewery? I am just now starting to think about opening a brewery or a brewpub but have never worked in a brewery so am a bit skittish to do anything with my current knowledge of the business.

I know there are schools I can attend but with a full time job I'm not sure I can do that too unless its really necessary.

Cheers,
Tim

McKBrew · 02-27-2009, 03:50 PM

There is some information from guys on the forum who have done it or done it in the past.

Other resources are ProBrewer.com: An Online Resource Serving The Beer Industry and there are several books on Amazon.com relating to this topic.

**samc** · 02-27-2009, 03:55 PM

From personal experience (not brewery related) the best thing you can do is go work in a microbrew and see what you can learn and if you like it. What seems like a cool idea can become a nightmare when you have to meet payroll, fire & hire people, deal with irate customers, etc. I had one business for 15 years that I loved even though I had to go through many of the ups & downs. I also had one business for 1 year that seemed like it would be fun and was a nightmare from start to finish.

You can't really get any of that from a book, course or other peoples experiences - go clean out some mash tuns for a few months.

ChefyTim · 02-27-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samc

From personal experience (not brewery related) the best thing you can do is go work in a microbrew and see what you can learn and if you like it. What seems like a cool idea can become a nightmare when you have to meet payroll, fire & hire people, deal with irate customers, etc. I had one business for 15 years that I loved even though I had to go through many of the ups & downs. I also had one business for 1 year that seemed like it would be fun and was a nightmare from start to finish.

You can't really get any of that from a book, course or other peoples experiences - go clean out some mash tuns for a few months.

Well, working in a brewery sounds like an excellent way to gain some exposure to the business. The only problem I see with that is that I currently have a full time job and live in the sticks of TN. Unfortunately TN doesn't really have many breweries either so there's not many opportunities for this.

However, a couple of guys here in the town I live in did get their licenses to start up a brewery so hopefully I can work with them and gain some experience. The only issue is that they are just going to be doing this part time as they too have real jobs that pay the bills.

Thanks

jamesrm · 02-27-2009, 07:08 PM

I have been thinking about the same thing and am not far from you, just got a sabco for recipe developement. Will PM you

Cuban · 02-27-2009, 07:15 PM

You could checkout MoreBeer!Pro | Professional Brewing Supplies to get an idea for larger equipment costs

Best of luck to you

ClaudiusB · 02-27-2009, 08:14 PM

Used and new equipment.
Used Brewing Systems and Equipment
Used Brewery Equipment Specialists - North American Brewing Systems
Used Brewery Equipment and microbrewery systems for sale- Ager Tank & Equipment
Used Brewery and Beverage Equipment - AM Jade Co
http://www.nabrewing.com/brewhouses/060303bohemianmonobloc.shtml
Brewery tanks, fermentation tanks | Bolz/Edel | vessels for breweries, brewing industry

Have fun
ClaudiusB

Bob · 02-27-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefyTim

Hey,
Anyone know where I can learn more about the equipment needed in a Microbrewery? I am just now starting to think about opening a brewery or a brewpub but have never worked in a brewery so am a bit skittish to do anything with my current knowledge of the business.

I know there are schools I can attend but with a full time job I'm not sure I can do that too unless its really necessary.

Cheers,
Tim

Depends on what exactly you intend to accomplish and how far you're willing to go in terms of expense and mechanicals.

You can brew world-class beer on what amounts to a homebrew system writ large - direct-fire kettle, insulated (but unfired) mash/lauter tun, fermenters and conditioning tanks in separate cold rooms - to a very intricate system with steam-fired brewhouse, jacketed tanks with glycol cooling, automated grain feeding, the works.

It's not cheap, it's not easy. There's a pretty high bar to entry in this business, both in terms of knowledge and capital. People like me (see the first link in my sig) can provide the former; the latter is up to you.

NOTE: This is not a sales pitch! I'm willing to dispense general information because I'm generally a nice fella and want to help people.

Have you done any market research yet? That's your first step.

Cheers,

Bob

ClaudiusB · 02-27-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Did your brewer just quit without notice? I can help you through the transition. Let me keep your taps open - at the same time, I'll streamline your brewery operation, search for a new brewer and train him after you hire him.

Automation, automation will solve some of the problems.
Bob, nice web.

Cheers,
ClaudiusB

wildwest450 · 02-27-2009, 10:02 PM

If it helps, i'll do product testing.