Starting a new project can be a bit overwhelming in the beginning stages. That’s why we’re here to tell you what equipment you need to start a brewery so you can make all your brewing dreams come true. Reference the guide below to see what equipment you need and how a phase converter can help power it.
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Commercial Brewery Equipment List
Starting a brewery is no small investment, in large part due to the cost of equipment needed to get it up and running. But taking the time to acquire the right equipment is essential for long-term success. Here’s everything you need.
Brewing Equipment
Other than a building, brewing equipment is the first investment you’ll make in any brewery operation. Brewing systems are made of durable stainless steel and are available in a range of sizes and prices. They require routine cleaning and maintenance to stay in tip-top shape.
This is the brewing equipment you’ll need to get started:
- Brewing System: A brewing system—which consists of a heat source, boiling tank, and fermentation tank—is the main actor in the brewing process.
- Brewing Accessories: Brewing accessories—like PH test strips, malt mills, filters, valves, and carbon monitors—are essential components of any brewing system. We recommend having backups on hand if one were to malfunction or break.
- Pilot System: A pilot system is a small brewing system that allows users to brew small batches quickly for recipe testing and microbrewing purposes.
Kegging System
Whether you plan to supply kegs of your delicious beer to local restaurants and bars or want to serve it straight to customers at your brewing facility—or both—you need to implement a kegging system. You should acquire plenty of metal kegs and designate a cooling space where you can store them until they’re needed.
Bottling and/or Canning System
A bottling or canning system helps you get your beer into the hands of distributors and customers. This system consists of things like bottles or cans, bottle caps, and labels. All labels must follow the regulations put in place for alcohol packaging and distribution. Be sure that the bottling or canning system can accommodate your production needs.
Safety Equipment
Invest in proper safety equipment to keep you and your employees safe throughout the brewing process. Some things to have on hand include:
- Gloves
- Aprons
- First aid kit
- Date labels
- Sanitation buckets
- Bar rags
- Food-grade cleaning supplies
- Chemical safety data sheets
Sinks
Every brewery needs sinks to prepare brewing materials, clean brewing equipment, and dispose of waste along the way. Here’s a breakdown of the three different types of sinks involved in the brewing process.
- Compartment Sinks: These sinks are used to rinse, wash, and sanitize various brewing equipment, including cutlery and service ware.
- Disposal Sinks: These sinks are used to dispose of excess liquid that accumulates when pouring or discarding drinks.
- Handwashing Sinks: These sinks are installed exclusively for handwashing purposes.
Glassware & Service Items
This is where your creativity can really shine. Select glassware and serving pieces that embody your brand’s personality. While these pieces should be durable and aesthetically pleasing, don’t go for the most expensive options because they’ll need to be replaced regularly.
- Glasses
- Coasters
- Napkins
- Paper plates/boats
- Utensils
Kitchen Equipment
If you plan to serve food along with your beer, you need the right commercial kitchen equipment. Here are some items you might need to buy:
- Ovens, ranges, and grills
- Ventilation
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Microwaves
- Food prep machines and surfaces
- Food preparation equipment
- Knives
- Cutting boards
- Pots and pans
- Mixing bowls
- Food processors
- Blenders
- Storage containers
- Shelving
Adequate Power Supply
Brewing and kitchen equipment is no good if you don’t have enough power to operate it. That’s why ensuring your facility has an adequate power supply is essential in the brewery setup process.
The heavy-duty equipment used in breweries typically runs on three-phase power, but most utility providers only supply single-phase power. A digital phase converter comes in handy by converting single-phase utility power to three-phase power, ensuring your equipment has the power it needs to operate smoothly.
5 Factors to Consider When Purchasing Brewing & Kitchen Equipment
Here's what to consider before you invest in brewery equipment.
1. Quality
The quality of your equipment impacts the quality of your product, which impacts sales. You want equipment that will last so you can get the most out of it and prolong the need for replacements. The higher the equipment quality, the less you’ll spend on maintenance and repairs throughout its lifespan.
2. Cost
You also have to strike a balance between quality and cost. Invest in the best equipment you can while staying within budget. However, be wary of equipment that’s priced significantly lower than other alternatives. If it’s not a scam, it could be low-quality equipment that will require constant maintenance and repairs to stay in working order.
3. Size
Don’t buy equipment that won’t fit in the space you have. We recommend measuring the areas where you plan to store each piece of equipment before making a purchase. This simple step will end up saving you time, money, and frustration down the road.
4. Intended Uses
Know what you plan to use the equipment for before buying it. Brewing and kitchen equipment is designed for particular applications. Two different versions of the same equipment type may contain slightly different features. Be sure you get the equipment designed specifically for your intended applications.
5. Cleaning Process
One important factor that’s often overlooked is how difficult—or easy—it is to clean your equipment. When you’re using equipment frequently, you have to clean it often to extend its lifespan, maintain product quality, and uphold sanitary standards. Consider how much time and manpower you’re willing to spend on equipment cleaning.
Key Benefits of Using a Phase Converter to Power Brewery Equipment
Here’s why we recommend investing in a high-quality phase converter to power your brewery equipment.
- Enhance Efficiency: Three-phase power is stronger and more consistent than single-phase power. As a result, phase converters allow breweries to operate more efficiently.
- Prevent Downtime: Increased efficiency reduces downtime during the production process, which increases output and produces cost savings.
- Increase Reliability: While the electrical supply provided by single-phase power often experiences ebbs and flows, three-phase power supplies a steady stream of electricity from start to finish.
Power Your Brewery Equipment With Phoenix Phase Converters
Whether you’re looking for a rotary phase converter or a digital phase converter for all your brewery applications, we’ve got you covered. Our phase converters are the highest quality, best-priced options on the market. When you buy from Phoenix Phase Converters, you can rest assured knowing that our product will operate efficiently for years to come. Browse our phase converter collection to find the right one for your needs.
