On Farm Microbrewery Infrastructure

[Robert]

Can anyone offer any construction / infrastructure tips on setting up a microbrewery on farm. I gather getting the building's drainage right is key to minimising wastewater so how extreme do the slopes indeed have to be assuming professional concreting, and what finishes are available to prevent corrosion. Also how are people dealing with the wastewater in the absence of mains drainage, any views appreciated. I want to have provision long term for a 20 barrel plant, hoping this could fit in a 2,700ft2 shed, possibly with a mezzanine if necessary. Thanks

 

[keenanfeeder]

From what I've seen it's similar to dairying, with tanks and stirrers ect. 2nd hand can cut the set up cost

 

[Yale]

This is our local community brewery.

Have a look at photos and it shows how they converted a barn into a brewery.

If you contacted them I'm sure brewer and brewster (Doug and Rachel) would give advice.

https://www.facebook.com/cwrw.ial.5/

 

[Oat]

I visited one on farm a few months ago. It was just several large tanks and heat exchangers in a small lean-to building. Building had a concrete floor, so was easy to clean.

From their explanation of the brewing process, you just transfer from one tank to another at various stages and control the heat.

 

[renewablejohn]

When next door farm was sold the new owners set up a micro brewery in the agri buildings. Was not long before the Nimbys found out and managed to get him shut down. Really felt sorry for him as where in the middle of nowhere and I cannot see what harm was being done and really such enterprises should be encouraged. I think the public footpath through the middle of the farm was his downfall.

 

[Yale]

When next door farm was sold the new owners set up a micro brewery in the agri buildings. Was not long before the Nimbys found out and managed to get him shut down. Really felt sorry for him as where in the middle of nowhere and I cannot see what harm was being done and really such enterprises should be encouraged. I think the public footpath through the middle of the farm was his downfall.

I can vouch for the brewery smell being far more pleasant than steaming cow sh1te.

 

[Red Fred]

I can vouch for the brewery smell being far more pleasant than steaming cow sh1te.

We get the malty smell from the brewery hanging over town (and the farm) on still days. I can stand there and breath it in all day long. Lovely aroma!

 

[Lincs Lass]

Think Ive realized what my dream job is ,freelance sampler

 

[Danllan]

Very interesting. Some friends are just opening a new pub / restaurant and we have been discussing a small brewery to supply them and a few other free houses around here. We have been looking at set-up costs and - with second-hand kit - can get a decent effort running for a bit over £10k all in.

The only concern I have is the amount of second-hand kit on the market, loads, what's wrong that I'm missing?

 

[Red Fred]

We went to a talk the other day by one of the founders of a well known local brewery and the number of microbreweries starting up each year is pretty huge now, compared to the '70s when he started. The trouble is, as I understood it, pubs are closing every week, drinkers buy from supermarkets which offer a great range of ales from the big brewers and the overall market hasn't really expanded in terms of total pints drunk. However, if you have a ready market, that shouldn't be a big problem. I'm guessing that lots of kit is sold without the buyers doing the homework around their area. I believe water quality/hardness has a big influence on the viability too.

 

[Breakthru]

Read in one of the camra booklets that there is a fully computerised 280pints a day machine. No idea of cost but would save the trial and error waste. Pub at Newton on the sea has an ex dairy tank in what looks like any dairy tankroom thru the back. If you are going to run a pub sounds like nirvana. Wonder how much is declared etc etc.
Look at the multi nationals profits, thats why there are huge number of start ups. It is very profitable. The catch is, easy to make but you have to sell it! Thats the bit that farmers are not good at, look at FM, cannot see the wood for the trees and are wasting a fantastic product selling as a commodity. Watch you do not enter the same fray in beer.

 

[Pasty]

When next door farm was sold the new owners set up a micro brewery in the agri buildings. Was not long before the Nimbys found out and managed to get him shut down. Really felt sorry for him as where in the middle of nowhere and I cannot see what harm was being done and really such enterprises should be encouraged. I think the public footpath through the middle of the farm was his downfall.

He might want to look at putting in for planning now. Things have changed around 'sustainable development'. If he can show that he might employ folk, even better.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Read in one of the camra booklets that there is a fully computerised 280pints a day machine. No idea of cost but would save the trial and error waste. Pub at Newton on the sea has an ex dairy tank in what looks like any dairy tankroom thru the back. If you are going to run a pub sounds like nirvana. Wonder how much is declared etc etc.
Look at the multi nationals profits, thats why there are huge number of start ups. It is very profitable. The catch is, easy to make but you have to sell it! Thats the bit that farmers are not good at, look at FM, cannot see the wood for the trees and are wasting a fantastic product selling as a commodity. Watch you do not enter the same fray in beer.

What's FM?


If anyone wants to take this further, I have an award winning brewer on my books who is available to assist. He specialises in start ups and business development. PM me to discuss rates and availability.