For example, a larger brewery is more likely to be composed of distinct sections such that each is dedicated to a specific phase of the
brewing process.At the other extreme, a microbrewery is more likely to
consist of a single room, where the entire brewing process is performed.
Despite the great difference in size, however, much of the brewing process has remained essentially unchanged, as it’s dictated by
relatively simple biochemical processes.A microbrewery, or craft
brewery, is typically owned independently and much smaller than the
corporate breweries that produce most of the beer appearing in bars and
retail shelves.
However, this distinction has become blurred in recent years as major brewers have created some very large “craft breweries.”
Brewery Equipment Material
Brewery equipment is made of various materials, the most common brewing kettles being made from copper and stainless steel.
Copper Brewery Equipment
Brewery equipment has traditionally been made of copper, especially the kettles in which the wort is boiled. Copper ore is readily available
and easily smelted into pure form.
Furthermore, copper transfers heat quickly and evenly, which is highly desirable for brewing. However, copper reacts with many
chemicals, which can give a metallic flavor to the beer. It can also be
corroded by many types of cleaning solutions.
Stainless Steel Brewery Equipment
Today’s commercial breweries predominantly use kettles made of stainless steel, although they’re still known as “coppers” regardless of
the materials used to make them.Many modern kettles have copper
cladding to provide a more traditional appearance, but this cladding is
purely cosmetic as it doesn’t come into contact with the wort. Stainless
steel reacts with very few chemicals, although chlorine is one of them.
Brewery equipment made of stainless steel shouldn’t impart any flavors to the beer, provided it isn’t cleaned with bleach. Stainless
steel is also much stronger than copper, which is a critical
consideration since kettles are pressurized when the wort is boiled.
