The increasing popularity of craft beer and microbreweries in recent years has led to a surge in demand for high-quality commercial beer brewing systems. These systems play a crucial role in the beer industry by enabling brewers to produce large volumes of beer. A beer brewing system consists of several components, including mash tuns, boilers, fermenters, and bottling/canning equipment. These systems come in different sizes and complexities, with some designed for small-scale production, while others can produce thousands of gallons of beer per day.
Infusion Brewhouse System
The infusion brewhouse system is the simplest and most commonly used type of brewhouse equipment. It involves the mash tun vessel, where the mashing process takes place. The principle of the infusion mash system is to add hot water to the malted grain to achieve a specific temperature range for enzyme activity and starch conversion. Temperature control can be maintained through direct heating methods like steam jackets or electrical components, or by incorporating a separate heating vessel.
There are numerous advantages to using a single infusion mash. With modern malts, almost any beer style worldwide can be replicated using a single infusion mash. With the help of software and some practice, the infusion temperature for any desired target temperature can be calculated accurately.
RIMS (Circulating Infusion Brewhouse System)
A RIMS or recirculating immersion brewing system utilizes mash tuns, heating elements, and a recirculation pump. The working principle of a RIMS involves continuously recirculating the mash through a heat exchanger to control the temperature. Recirculation ensures uniform heating and enzyme activity, resulting in efficient starch conversion. This method allows brewers to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the mashing process.
HERMS (Heat Exchange Recirculation Brewhouse System)
HERMS (Heat Exchange Recirculating Mash System) also employs mash tuns, heating elements, and heat exchangers. However, unlike RIMS, HERMS works by transferring the mash to a separate vessel known as a hydrothermal tank, where the heat exchanger is located. The hot liquid tank contains circulating hot water, which passes through a heat exchanger to maintain the desired mash temperature. This indirect heating method minimizes the risk of scorching the grains and allows for precise temperature control.
Automatic Brewing System
An automated brewing system greatly reduces labor in the brewing process. There are various options available on the market with different levels of automation. With an automatic system, it can handle most tasks for you, requiring only a few button presses. The less automated the system, the more involvement is required from the brewer, such as adding grain, hops, filling beer into fermenters, or packaging it in kegs or bottles.
Common Types of Commercial Beer Brewing Systems
- Brewpub system: The brewpub system is designed for small-scale production and is usually used by small breweries and brewpubs. These systems typically have a capacity of 3-10 barrels and are designed to be compact and efficient.
- Craft brewery systems: Craft brewery systems are designed for large-scale production, with capacities of up to 100 barrels or more. These systems are often customized and tailored to the specific needs of the brewery.
- Production brewery systems: Production brewery systems are designed for the largest scale productions, with capacities of hundreds of barrels or more. These systems are often fully automated and require significant investments in equipment and infrastructure.
In Conclusion
There are various types of beer brewing equipment, each with its unique working principle. Brewing mashing systems can be simple and straightforward, while others rely on gradual temperature control like decoction mashing systems. RIMS and HERMS systems utilize recirculation and heat exchange mechanisms to achieve precise temperature control. Additionally, automated brewing systems integrate advanced technology to simplify the mashing process. Understanding these different types of brewing equipment and how they work allows brewers to choose the method that best suits their brewing needs, resulting in consistent and high-quality beer production.
If you are planning to open or expand a brewery and need a turnkey solution for brewery equipment, you can contact us directly. Our engineers will design and manufacture brewery equipment according to your specific brewing process. We also offer complete turnkey solutions and customized options for brewery expansion.
