Mini beer brewing system can be recipes testing system or brewing beer in home for the community gathering, small space request and lower investment.

I decided to write on the subject of putting a small brewery equipment list together, in response to receiving several requests a week, for help in this matter.

This post created, knowing each brewery project is different. However, points discussed here, apply to the majority of home brewing system.

There’s seems to be a movement towards opening small breweries at 700-liters and below. With many looking towards breweries at 100L Beer Brewing System and under, to be hyperlocal testing.

These are people looking to do draft with some form of small packaging, mostly for carryout beer. Having a small taproom produces running capital and keeps greater profits in-house.

Beer sold on premises will produce higher margins than those sold via distribution. It makes sense to sell as much of your product onsite as possible, including “beer to-go”. So, what do you need, when putting a small brewery equipment list together?

Pre-Crushed Malt with malt milling system

Pre-crushed malt has a shorter shelf life than non-crushed grains. For a brewery at 100L beer brewing system or less, pre-crushed can make sense for a few of reasons:

1. Not having a mill, means you’ve more space for other equipment/materials.
2. You don’t have to worry about malt dust when using the mill or allotting a specific space to have a mill.
3. No need to worry about local laws, as some places require explosion proof mill rooms.
4. As I said before, I’d only recommend pre-milled if it’s readily available. I’d not want pre-milled malt to spend too long in storage.
5. Most brewers using pre-milled malt, only order up to a months’ worth of stock at time.

It’s also worth noting you’ll have less choice with pre-milled malt. Furthermore, it’s more expensive per kilogram. But, if you’re on a mini beer brewing system and space is tight, pre-milled is a viable solution.

If you do go pre-milled, keep in touch with your suppliers when it comes to grist analysis and consistency. Ensure, you have the right to refuse the malt, if it’s not up to your standards.

Home brewing system list – How Many Brew Vessels?

This is one subject I chat about a lot, with clients opening a 100L Beer Brewing System. It depends on the plans for the present and future, what the best option will be. Are you planning to start small; then looking to grow?

Or is the plan to have a small hyper local set up, serving the local community just pouring onsite?

If you’re looking to keep it small, and space is tight, then a mini beer brewing system makes sense. It means you’ve more room for other things, for example extra tables.

Fermentation Vessels / Unitanks and Cellar Tank – Small Brewery Equipment List

I’ve written in-depth posts about the different cellar tanks available for breweries, in the following articles:

Unitanks Pros and Cons Article – Learn all about unitanks and other cellar tanks available.

Serving Tanks Cold Room or Jackets – Which type of serving tank is right for your planned brewery?

Buying a Commercial Fermenter – Tips on how to get the right FV’s for a planned project.

As the above articles cover all you need to know. I’ll just cover the topic quickly here.

On small systems; unitanks rather than dedicated FV’s are preferable. Allowing a brewer to both ferment and mature the beer, in the same tank.