What are the different sizes of brewing systems and what are their annual production capacities?

The maximum annual production capacity is dependent on the number of times you will be brewing per week. A nano / craft brewery or brewpub brewing systems usually ranges between 5 – 15 BBL, which produces between 500 – 3,000 barrels per calendar year. On a macro scale, a full production brewery system would be 15 BBL or greater, with the ability to produce upwards of 3,000 barrels per year.

The annual production is calculated by using this formula: (brewhouse size) x (number of brews per week) x (50 weeks per year) = Annual Production

• A 5 BBL system x 2 brews a week x 50 weeks = 500 BBL annually
• A 5 BBL system x 3 brews a week x 50 weeks = 750 BBL annually

Suppliers will ask about the size of your facility, which will help determine how your customized brewhouse will be designed and installed for maximum efficiency and output.

Brewhouses are typically measured by the number of vessels. For example,a 2-Vessel brewhouse may have a Mash/Lauter Tun/Hot Liquor Tank combination vessel paired with a Boil Kettle/Whirlpool combination vessel.

brewing systems

On the more advanced end of the spectrum, a 5-Vessel brewhouse would have a designated Mash Mixer, Lauter Tun, Holding Kettle, Boil Kettle and a Whirlpool. Each of these designated vessels would serve a particular purpose, allowing you to brew greater quantities of beer simultaneously.

Again, the setup that you ultimately choose depends on your brewing needs, the space that you have to work with, as well as your budget. Listed below are some different configurations of brewhouses depending on the number of vessels:

2-Vessel Brewhouses

• Mash/Lauter Tun/Hot Liquor Tank Combination vessel + Brew Kettle/Whirlpool
• Mash/Lauter Tun + Brew Kettle/Whirlpool

3-Vessel Brewhouses

• Mash/Lauter Tun/Hot Liquor Tank Combination vessel + Brew Kettle + Whirlpool
• Mash/Lauter Tun + Brew Kettle + Whirlpool
• Mash Mixer + Lauter Tun + Brew Kettle/Whirlpool

4-Vessel Brewhouses

• Mash Mixer + Lauter Tun + Brew Kettle + Whirlpool

5-Vessel Brewhouses

• Mash Mixer + Lauter Tun + Holding Kettle + Brew Kettle + Whirlpool