When determining the size of brewing system you need, there are a few factors to consider. The main consideration is the number of brews you would like to produce each week. This will largely depend on the demand for your beer and your production goals.
To calculate the size of your brewing system, you can start by multiplying the system size in barrels or liters by the number of brews per week. For example, if you have a 10-barrel system and plan to brew twice a week, you would multiply 10 barrels by 2 brews per week, resulting in a total brewing capacity of 20 barrels per week.
Once you have determined your weekly brewing capacity, you can then multiply this number by the number of work weeks in a year, which is typically around 50 weeks. Using our previous example of a 20-barrel per week capacity, this would give you an annual brewing capacity of 20 barrels per week multiplied by 50 weeks, resulting in a total capacity of 1000 barrels per year.
It’s important to note that this calculation assumes a consistent production schedule throughout the year. However, it’s common for breweries to have peaks and lulls in production based on seasonal demand and other factors. Therefore, it may be beneficial to consider these fluctuations and adjust your brewing capacity accordingly.
Additionally, it’s worth considering future growth and expansion plans. If you anticipate increasing demand for your beer in the future, it may be wise to invest in a slightly larger brewing system to accommodate this growth. This can help avoid potential bottlenecks or the need for additional equipment in the future.
Personal experience: When I started my own brewery, I initially opted for a smaller brewing system to test the market and gauge customer demand. However, as our popularity grew and we received more wholesale orders, we quickly outgrew our initial system. This required us to upgrade to a larger brewing system sooner than anticipated, which resulted in additional costs and logistical challenges. If I could go back, I would have considered future growth potential more carefully and invested in a slightly larger system from the beginning.
To summarize, determining the size of brewing system you need involves multiplying the system size by the number of brews per week and then multiplying this by the number of work weeks in a year. It’s important to consider current demand, production goals, seasonal fluctuations, and future growth plans when making this decision. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can ensure that your brewing system is appropriately sized to meet your brewery’s needs.