Start your brewery layout
During the initial stages of planning a brewery, we will ask you three essential questions.
The answers to these questions will guide us in recommending a brewing system that meets your specific needs.
The first question relates to the size of your location – how much space do you have available to use?
The second question concerns your monthly and annual production goals.
Lastly, we need to know your budget – how much funding do you have to work with?
Based on this information, we will calculate important details such as the recommended sizing for the brewhouse and cellar vessels, equipment costs, and floor space requirements.
Work brewery equipment into the space
Armed with all the necessary information, we can now move on to the crucial stage.
Our first objective is to obtain a 2D CAD drawing of the space from either the designer/architect or landlord. This drawing is vital because if it is inaccurate, it can lead to significant and costly complications.
At this stage, we determine the dimensions, dry weights, and wet weights of each equipment piece.
We strongly encourage sharing this information with all the stakeholders involved in your project, especially the designer/architect and general contractor. This serves as the primary check to ensure that the planned equipment will fit into the designated space and handle the load effectively, as the weight accumulates rapidly! This also includes accounting for auxiliary equipment such as steam boilers, glycol chillers, water filters, packaging equipment, and more.
ACE 10HL Microbrewery Equipment
Why accuracy matters
Underestimating the weight can cause the foundation to crack. We also need to consider trench drainage; if the weight is too heavy, it will compromise the structural integrity of the slab. If additional weight needs to be added to the slab, it will reduce the height clearance.
The size and location of the equipment must be determined with precision. We emphasize this point because even a millimeter deviation can lead to serious problems.
If, on unloading day, a piece of equipment doesn’t fit in the space, the entire design will be thrown off and can lead to a cascade of problems!
Draw a layout diagram
Once we have determined the necessary equipment and the available space, we proceed to the drawing stage.
We create a series of diagrams that accurately represent your brewery layout – just as it would appear in real life. These drawings will be our guide throughout the project.
When designing your brewery layout, we take into consideration several important factors:
Process Path
– We design the layout to facilitate the brewing process and minimize redundant tasks and actions. Time is valuable – every minute counts!
Utilities
– In our brewery layout design, we account for plumbing and electrical outlet placement.
Room to expand
– By planning ahead for future expansion, you can save on the cost of redesigning the equipment layout. You can also plan utility routing and include initial builds.
General logic
– We pay attention to details that may seem obvious. Based on our experience, even seemingly small oversights can lead to significant issues. We ask essential questions such as the best location for glycol inlet and outlet connections for FV or BBT. We ensure there is enough space for trays to pass, position brite tanks close to the freezer, and locate lauder buckets near the door for easy access to malts and kegs. Sometimes the simplest things have long-lasting effects.
Talented team
We understand the importance of everyone being on the same page. With winemakers, designers/architects, structural engineers, and contractors all involved, there are many stakeholders.
We excel at managing these relationships – just ask our clients!
When you collaborate with ACE, you not only get top-quality equipment but also consulting services.
With over 12 countries worth of experience, we know what to look for. We understand how things should flow and follow the best practices for brewery layouts.
We can proactively identify potential obstacles, allowing us to address problems before they arise.
If you would like to collaborate with us on your project, please contact us.
