Thinking about brewing your own beer? Keep reading!

Photos By: Unsplash

America is changing. The country that gave birth to the worldwide sensation that is the McDonald’s food corporation has been in the thrall of big food business for more than fifty years.

In a nation so large, Americans have long tended to gravitate towards companies and products that are available nationwide. That ensures that no matter where they travel, they are sure to be able to find a taste of home. Although this is still true, tastes are beginning to change.

If you look at McDonald’s and how their business compares with their sister company, Chipotle, you’ll see that Americans are being driven towards quality. Although meals at McDonald’s are cheap and readily available, people are still flocking to the fast-casual alternative. That is because people are realizing that it is worth their time and money to purchase a superior product. Check this link to find out more.

But why is this? Perhaps it has something to do with the rise of social media. With the click of a button, your friends and family can share an exciting new product, food, drink, or experience with every one of their followers. They can communicate whether or not the product was worth their time and money.

With a wellspring of information coming from trusted friends and family members, people are starting to take a step outside of the mainstream more and more often.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the beer industry. Hundreds of new craft breweries open up every year. Chances are good that there’s already one or more located in your hometown.

Small scale breweries are stepping up and taking on the competition. Small beer companies are growing at a faster rate than some of the “big beer” brands. But what does this mean for you? Click here for more statistics about how fast craft beer is growing.

Maybe you’re just starting out and feel overwhelmed at the thought of investing in the right setup for your business. Or maybe you’re already established and want to take your brewery to the next level.

Whatever circumstance you find yourself in, you’ve come to the right place. Read along and you’ll find the important elements you should consider when it comes to shopping for large scale commercial brewing equipment. Let’s get started!

Safety First!

If you know anything about brewing beer, you know that it can be hot, sweaty, dangerous work.

That’s because the process requires heat in order to begin the fermentation process. Most brewing equipment is made from metal. This is because it is easy to clean, can withstand the temperature fluctuations necessary to the brewing process, and is unlikely to break down in the course of regular wear and tear.

What does this mean for you?

Make it a point that any setup you invest in has plenty of safety features. Although nothing can replace a good set of best practices and thorough training, you’ll rest easy knowing that even when you’re not around, your facility will be running smoothly.

Look for a solid, well-built production platform. You’ll want to ensure that the metal piping is well-insulated and that your brewer is equipped with the proper safety materials.

Do Your Research

When it comes to brewing beer, there’s one person’s opinion that will stand above the rest.

When you’re looking to upgrade your current system, you’ll want to consult with your brewer. She might have valuable information for you about your needs.

For example, she might have ideas about a line of limited-run batches designed to bring people into the door of your brewpub. While some people might line up around the block for a chance to try an elderflower brew, others might come calling when they hear about your black pepper ale.

While both of these flavors are unique and will appeal to your customers, you have to have a realistic expectation as to how many people will be interested.

You may find that a setup that contains a larger number of tanks that hold a smaller volume are a better fit for you going forwards than a couple of large-scale tanks.

You can check out the ABS Commercial Website to find out the different volumes they have available.

Check on the Services

The last thing you’ll want to consider when you’re shopping for your brewery is to vet the company you decide to work with.

A great way to do this is to check their social media engagement. If you find that the company you are looking to work with proudly posts their products online, you may have found the right one for you.

Another thing to take a look at is their comment section. Are customers coming back to write about their positive experiences? Are there a bunch of unanswered comments asking about how to get a quote from the company? You’ll want to choose a company that is responsive and professional in order to ensure you get what you need in a timely manner. Social media can be a great tool for your ongoing research.

No matter what you choose, as long as you do your research, you will be sure to come to an end result that will please you, your customers, your staff, and your community.

Beer brings people together. It can be a form of artistic expression or reason to get together. So get out there and get brewing!