The brewing process can be divided into three stages: wort making, fermentation, and packaging. Barley is transformed into delicious beer through procedures such as mashing, fermentation, and filtration. When brewers plan to build a brewery, they need to have knowledge of both beer equipment and the beer brewing process.
Beer is a common drink in daily life and comes in different types based on various criteria. It can be classified as top-fermented or bottom-fermented beer depending on the production method and yeast type. It can also be categorized as high-strength or low-strength beer based on the concentration of original wort, and as light, brown, or black beer based on color. Today, the ACE craft engineer will introduce the brewers to the delightful process of brewing beer.
The Four Essential Elements of Brewing Beer
Water:
Water quality plays a crucial role in beer brewing. Good water produces good beer, and the hardness or softness of water greatly affects the taste. Some beer brands with excellent taste choose high-quality water, which directly impacts the quality of the finished beer.
Hops:
There are different types of hops, including dry hops, hop pellets, and hop extract. The choice of hops is vital, and different amounts are added to adjust the taste according to the desired flavors of the beer. The amount, batch, and delivery time of hops are decisive factors. Hops can be classified into aroma type and bitter type, adding both aroma and bitterness to beer. They also act as natural preservatives, inhibit spoilage, and help maintain the foam head when pouring beer.
Yeast:
Yeast breaks down sugars into carbon dioxide and alcohol during fermentation, creating unique flavors as by-products.
Malt:
Malt generally refers to barley malt and wheat malt. Barley and wheat malt are commonly used in beer making. Barley malt is further divided into four varieties: basic malt, kilned malt, baked malt, and roasted malt. Malt is essential for brewing beer, and barley is the most commonly used ingredient in the global beer industry, while other grains are used as supplements.
The Brewing Process
Malt Crushing:
Barley is crushed by a pulverizer to break the husk but not completely, which aids in filtering.
Saccharification Process:
Amylase converts starch into sugars such as maltose, maltotriose, glucose, and dextrin.
Filter Process:
A rake knife is used to filter out the primary wort from the wort layer. The washed wort is then collected for the next step of boiling.
Boiling Process:
In this high-temperature process, the wort is sterilized. Hops can be added to enhance the flavor, and proteins are further decomposed.
Swirling Process:
The wort rotates and flows in the tank, allowing residues and large protein particles to solidify and concentrate in one place, resulting in clear and clean beer.
Cooling Down:
The clarified wort is cooled down using a plate heat exchanger, and it is then ready for fermentation.
Fermentation Process:
Yeast consumes the wort and sugar, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide. The remaining yeast is discharged over time, and active yeast can be collected for future use. This process involves violent internal reactions and completes the fermentation process.
Filtration Process:
Residual yeast and hop residues are filtered out, resulting in clear beer.
Beer Storage:
The fermented beer, known as “bright beer,” is stored in bright beer tanks under refrigeration.
Canned Products:
The finished beer is connected to the filling system and undergoes a cleaning process in a high-clean environment to ensure purity. The packaging equipment is sterile, guaranteeing the quality of the packaged beer. These brewing processes will help your craft brewery stand out and save precious time, allowing you to focus on brewing good and delicious beer.
Start Your Craft Brewery Business
Now that you have a basic understanding of how to start a brewery, you can make your dreams come true. Establishing a craft brewery can be challenging, especially if you are new to the industry. You can contact us for professional solutions. Our engineers will provide turnkey beer equipment solutions tailored to your brewing process. Whether you plan to open a new brewery or expand an existing one, we can help.
