Craft beer is on the rise, and so is the number of microbreweries and brewpubs across the country. When opening a brewery, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and creative process. Still, it’s important to have specific resources and tools to ensure the success of your business. Here are five must-have resources that every brewery needs to have to stand out in a crowded market.
Hydrometer
Brewing beer is a craft that requires precision and accuracy. If you’re a serious brewer, you would understand the importance of measuring the specific gravity of your beer during and after fermentation. And that’s where a hydrometer comes in handy. A hydrometer is a simple but essential tool that measures the density of a liquid. By using a hydrometer, you can accurately and reliably determine the alcohol content of your beer, track the progress of fermentation, and ensure consistent quality in your brews. Without a hydrometer, you’d be at a loss as to whether your beer is just right or not. Whether you’re a homebrewer or run a commercial brewery, investing in a hydrometer is a no-brainer.
Online Barrel Calculator
If you’re storing beer in oak barrels, you’ll need to keep track of the aging process since it’s a critical stage that can make a huge difference in beer flavor profiles. An online barrel calculator will help you to check on the progress of your barrel-aged beer without the need for physical intervention. Barrel calculators allow you to set scales and timelines, get accurate tasting notes, and monitor the beer as it matures to achieve the desired results in as little time as possible.
Quality Control Testing Equipment
For any brewery, the quality of the beer produced is of utmost importance. And this is where having quality control testing equipment becomes essential. Not only does QC testing equipment ensure that the taste, aroma, and overall quality of the beer is consistently superior, but it also helps to catch any potential issues before they become major problems. With QC testing equipment, breweries can detect any variations in the fermentation process, identify any contamination, and maintain consistent alcohol levels. Investing in QC testing equipment ensures that your brewery produces beer that meets high-quality standards and keeps your customers coming back for more.
Brewing Software
Brewing software helps you in recipe creation, inventory management, and operational processes, such as scheduling and managing your yeast needs. Software is an essential tool for scaling to meet the demands of a growing business. With proper brewing software, it’s easy to keep track of everything in the brewery, streamline processes, and maintain good business records, while optimizing beer quality to exceed customer expectations.
A Reliable Supplier
Most brewing operations depend on reliable suppliers for essential ingredients such as malt, hops, yeast, and adjuncts. As such, it’s critical to have a supplier you can count on. A reputable supplier will help solve urgent supply chain issues and source high-quality ingredients that will ensure your customers enjoy a consistent beer flavor profile. Finding a trustworthy supplier will ultimately save time, money, and maintain good relationships with your customers.
Running a brewery business can be fun and exciting; however, it can also be challenging, especially when things get out of hand. By incorporating all five of these must-have resources, you’ll avoid common brewing pitfalls, optimize your brewing process, create beer flavors and profiles that delight your customers, and build a loyal fan base. As the craft beer market continues to grow, creating a sustainable, high-quality beer that consumers know and trust may make the crucial difference between failure and success.