Having a great beer recipe and using the best quality ingredients is only part of the solution to create a beer brand. Any brew master recognizes the importance of the brewery equipment and failing to choose the best quality systems has a definite impact on the overall quality and consistency of the beer.
The Problem With Used Equipment
A common mistake for startup breweries is to try to cut costs by purchasing used brewery systems. This may be individual components or larger systems. While the price may be very reasonable, there are several critical reasons to think very carefully about these types of purchases.
The most obvious issue in buying used brewery equipment is the conditions under which the equipment was maintained. If the systems were not cleaned and maintained correctly, it might be very difficult to rid the system of potential contaminants in lines and system components. This can result in quality control issues in batches, which is very hard to pinpoint to one specific piece of equipment.
By choosing components from different manufacturers, there can also be compatibility and integration problems. This can result in the need for modifications that can easily offset any cost savings.
The Better Option
The best way to ensure you are choosing quality brewery equipment is to buy new and buy from a specialized US-based brewery equipment manufacturer. This ensures the system meets all standards and regulations and is also designed to integrate fully between components.
By choosing a US-based manufacturer, there is always technical support available as well as a supply of parts and components. It also makes adding onto your system very easy as the various equipment options are designed to be compatible, an essential factor to consider as demand for your product grows.