One of the most important, and often the most challenging, aspects of running a brewery of any size is to ensure complete consistency in the product. Inconsistent taste, color, and levels of carbonation in a beer create problems in marketing and branding and can give a great craft beer or even a larger brewery a bad reputation in a very short period of time.
While carefully selecting ingredients and using automated processes throughout the brewing process is essential for a quality final product, operating the best possible beer carbonation system is another essential consideration. Failing to get the carbonation process perfected is going to lead to inconsistent product or increased waste, both which create significant problems for the brewery.
Volume and Production Considerations
Matching the beer carbonation system with the volume of beer produced is important. Some of the systems are designed for continuous types of production or large volume beer carbonation, which is not necessary or effective in a small brewery.
There are some highly effective, small, portable and very precise types of mini carbonation systems. Easily moved where needed in the facility, these systems can provide accurate inline carbonation or they can be used or nitrogen carbonation, which is ideal for a small craft brewery.
Larger systems provide greater capacity, but they should still offer the same levels of accuracy and precision control of the nitrogen or the inline carbonation process. There are some groundbreaking designs out there that also include a centrifugal separation system in the carbonation equipment, saving space and the need for additional equipment.
Look for a beer carbonation system that is effective, has a reputation with small to medium-sized brewers and that is manufactured in the United States. This allows for readily available assistance in setup and configuration of the carbonation system to your existing brewery equipment, as well as provides for ongoing technical and operational support.
