Cylindroconicals have become the industry norm, and no wonder: Breweries opt for these ubiquitous tanks based on budget and space limitations, aiming to maximize brewery output and minimize footprint.
However, according to some unconventional brewers, fermentor geometry is an unsung hero that impacts yeast health and beer flavor. There is an argument to be made that in a competitive marketplace, breweries should be maximizing flavor, not volume, and proponents of less-efficient fermentor geometry swear by its importance.