3bbl brewery

Types of 3bbl brewery

A 3bbl brewery refers to a brewing system that brews beer in batches measured in barrels, where one barrel is equivalent to 31 gallons or approximately 117 liters. A 3bbl brewery is therefore capable of producing about 93 gallons per batch. Entrepreneurs or business owners in the beer industry use different pieces of equipment, including fermenters, kettles, cellar tanks, compressors, packaging equipment, and others, to establish a successful brewery business.

Some of the common types of 3bbl brewery systems are as follows:

• 3bbl Microbrewery:

  A 3bbl microbrewery is an independent brewing facility that produces a small volume of beer compared to commercial breweries. The system gives the brewer ample freedom. Focusing on unique flavors and high-quality products created in small batches is typical for microbreweries. A 3bbl microbrewery also allows brewers to experiment with various ingredients and brewing methods.

• 3bbl Brewpub:

  A 3bbl brewpub combines both a brewery and a pub or restaurant. The scale of the brewing system may vary. However, it is typically smaller than 3bbl commercial breweries. Brewpubs provide customers with freshly brewed beer that is often exclusive to the establishment. Besides, some brewpubs serve food alongside the beer.

• 3bbl Nanobrewery:

• 3bbl green brewery

  A 3bbl green brewery focuses on sustainability and eco-friendliness. To minimize waste and environmental impact, such a brewery may use renewable energy sources, water conservation techniques, and recycling initiatives. Besides, a green brewery can incorporate eco-friendly design features like energy-efficient equipment and sustainable building materials.

Specification and Maintenance

Knowing the specifications is very important when it comes to installing and operating the equipment properly in a 3bbl brew house system. A few critical specifications to note down for each part of the 3bbl brewery are as follows:

• Vessel: The dimensions and volume of the 3bbl brewery must be precise enough to make 3 barrels of beer, which equals approximately 93 gallons or 352 liters, in a single batch. However, it is important to note that the actual volume of the brew kettle is 3.5 to 4.0 barrels because of the evaporation during the brewing process.
• Power: 3bbl breweries with electric heating elements indicate the power in kilowatts (kW), which can range anywhere from 10kW to 50kW per hour. This power is generated from a single element or multiple elements combined together.
• Pressure: The 3bbl brewery's fermentation tank will have an operating pressure range of zero to 2.5 bar, which is equivalent to 0 to 25 000 kPa. The maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for the tank also indicates the tank can withstand higher pressure values without any failure or breakage.
• Temperature: each vessel of the 3bbl brewery will have a temperature controller that can maintain and regulate the temperature within a specific range. That range is important for the fermentation process of yeast and the maturation of beer. For example, the 3bbl fermenter will have a temperature range of -5 to +40 degrees centigrade.

Maintenance

Knowing the specifications is very important when it comes to installing and operating the equipment properly in a 3bbl brew house system. A few critical specifications to note down for each part of the 3bbl brewery are as follows:

• Regular Cleaning： Operators should develop a routine cleaning schedule for the 3bbl brewery. The more frequently the brewery is cleaned, the less buildup there will be of organic materials, yeast, hops, water minerals, and bacteria. Make sure to clean each part of the brewery properly. The cleaning process mainly includes disassembling the brewhouse, draining the water, and scrubbing all vessels and parts. Operators can use alkaline cleaning solutions and sanitary rinses.
• Deep Cleaning and Sanitization: In addition to the regular cleaning process, operators of the 3bbl brewery should also ensure that the brewery goes through deep cleaning and sanitization processes regularly. This is important to get rid of any remaining organic material or bacterial buildup that may have been missed during the routine cleanings. The deep clean is also essential to maintain the flavor integrity of each batch of beer so that no off-flavors develop due to residual buildup.
• Inspection: Inspect the entire 3bbl brewery periodically to check for any signs of damage, leaks, or corrosion that may be present. Make sure to also check the condition of gaskets, valves, and hoses intermittently to ensure nothing is blocking or hampering the operation of any part of the brewery. Quick inspections will allow operators to be able to identify and repair any issues before they become major problems causing the whole system to break down.

Uses of 3bbl brewery

A 3bbl brewing system is suitable for several types of small commercial breweries and other business setups in the beer industry.

• Microbrewery: A microbrewery would be one of the most common use scenarios for a 3-barrel brewery. A microbrewery produces small amounts of beer, typically less than 15,000 barrels per year. A 3-bbl system offers them the flexibility to experiment with different recipes and create unique flavors for their local market.
• Taproom: A taproom that serves its own beer on-site would find a 3bbl brewery very useful. It enables them to produce a variety of beers to offer their customers as part of their beverage selection. The size of the 3bbl brewery also fits well with the scale of most taprooms.
• Brewpub: Some brewpubs with on-site dining facilities also produce their own beer alongside serving other packaged beer. A 3-bbl brewery could be used to supplement the brewpub's beer offerings and provide a fresh, locally brewed product to customers.
• Contract brewing: A 3bbl brewery can also be used by businesses that brew beer on behalf of other companies for private label brands. The size of the brewery would be suitable for producing limited quantities of specialty or small batch beers for separate distribution under particular brands.
• Beer garden: An outdoor beer garden facility could use a 3bbl brewing system to produce its own variety of freshly brewed beer for patrons.
• Specialty/event brewery: At certain events like weddings, festivals, fairs, and more, there is likely to be a need for limited quantity of specialty beer to be brewed for those occasions. A 3bbl brewery would be the right size to meet that kind of need. Moreover, a 3bbl brewing system can be used for some events to offer brewing workshops and classes for participants who want to learn brewing techniques and see the process up close.

How to choose a 3bbl brewery

Several factors must be considered when choosing a 3bbl brewery system for a specific brewing business.

• Brewing capacity and dimensions

  Assessing current and future brewing needs is important to ensure that the 3bbl brewery selected has the ideal brewing capacity. Also, the dimensions of the brewery system must fit into the available brewing space.

• Beer quality and consistency

  A brewery system that offers proper temperature control, automated monitoring, and reliable equipment must be selected to ensure optimal fermentation and maturation.

• Equipment reliability and durability

  Consider equipment reliability and durability to minimize brewing interruptions and maintenance costs. Selecting a 3bbl brewery system made from high-quality materials with proven performance is important.

• Ease of use and cleaning

  The 3bbl brewery selected should have user-friendly designs that facilitate efficient brewing processes and simplified cleaning and maintenance tasks. Equipment that prevents cross-contamination should also be used.

• Integration and scalability

  Consider the potential for future integration and scalability. The chosen 3bbl brewery system should be able to incorporate additional fermenters, conditioning tanks, and other supporting equipment as the business grows.

• Cost and budget considerations

  The initial investment cost of the 3bbl brewery system and the long-term operating and maintenance costs must be assessed to see whether they are within the business's budget.

• Supplier reputation and support

  To ensure a good purchasing experience and reliable post-purchase support, select a reputable brewery equipment supplier. The chosen supplier should offer excellent customer support, technical assistance, and timely spare parts availability.

3bbl brewery FAQ

Q1: What does 3bbl mean in a brewery?

A1: 3bbl means the brewery system's capacity is 3 barrels. One barrel equals 31 gallons. So, a 3bbl brewery would have a total liquid capacity of about 93 gallons.

Q2: How many beers is 3bbl?

A2: A 3bbl brewery system can produce approximately 1,200 pints of beer. The calculation is straightforward. There are 31 gallons in one barrel, and three barrels equal 93 gallons. One gallon of beer contains 8.4 pints. So, 93 gallons could fill up to 780 pints of beer. Due to brewery system constraints, not all 3bbl will be brewed into beer. Some will be used for the brewing process. About 1,200 pints of beer could be brewed in a 3bbl brewery system.

Q3: Is a 3bbl brewery a good size?

A3: A 3bbl brewery is considered small commercial-scale brewing equipment. It is ideal for producing beer for taprooms, on-site consumption, small to mid-sized distribution, and for breweries that brew beer to be contract-brewed for other companies.

Q4: How much does a 3bbl brewery cost?

A4: The cost of the brewery equipment alone is between $160,000 and $200,000, including the complete brewery set. Additional costs for the complete brewery setup will include transportation, installation, and other equipment required to set up a fully functional brewery.