Equipment

Buying equipment is one of the most expensive things a brewery can do—and the process is fraught with risks. Here are some dos and don’ts from two experts on evaluating, buying, and transporting major gear.

Great lager depends upon exacting attention to details—and not only when it comes to fermentation and conditioning. Here we look at brewhouses specifically designed with lager in mind, to better appreciate what makes them different.

The rising interest in hard seltzer and other not-so-beery beverages—including kombucha, wine, coffee, and more—has led to new looks at existing gear in the brewhouse—as well as investments in equipment or partnerships that could have wider benefits.

When uncertainty rules the day, brewhouse-equipment purchases need to offer trusted ROI. Breweries should look for equipment that solves today’s problems—but also tees up future flexibility.

The times, they are a-changin’. Gone is the old startup mantra of “plan big for growth,” replaced by a lean “test the concept and grow with demand” philosophy. That's pushing equipment manufacturers toward innovative, scalable solutions.

There are infinite ways to spend on newer, fancier, bigger, more automated, and more efficient brewhouse gear. But which upgrades get the best ROI? Here we delve into the decisions and upgrades that get better returns for breweries of varying sizes.