Best fermenter/conditioning configuration

[Dogwonder]

I'm looking to open a brewpub with some off site distribution. I expect to have 5 brews at any given time, including at least one lager. Total annual output will be between 3500 - 4500 bbl. I'm looking at a 10 - 15 bbl brewing system but wanted to get some thoughts on-

1. How many fermenters / conditioning tanks would you recommend?
2. What size of each?

I appreciate your help...

[FrankM]

For a 15 bbl system, you have to brew many times per week.

Let's do some calculation.

Formula for calculate your system size:
System size (brewhouse size) x number of brews per week x 50 weeks per year = Annual Production

For a 15 bbl system:
15 bbl x 3 brews/week x 50 weeks/year = 2,250 bbl annual production

If brew 6 times a week, your annual production will be
4,500 bbl.

Another way to find out the size requirement:
4,500 bbl / 300 days = 15 bbl per day
4,500 bbl / 360 days = 12.5 bbl per day

How much beer are you going to sell and how much to
sell per pint in your brewpub?
Use these to calculate: 1 pint = 16 oz
1 liter = 34 oz
1 bbl = 117 liters = 248 pints

Use the above to figure out your system size requirement, and brewing frequency.


Your overall parameters as:
80% ale, 20% lager
Ale- 14 days fermentation
25 cycles per fermenter per year
50 weeks/ 2 weeks fermentation period = 25 cycles
Lager- 28 days fermentation
12.5 cycles per fermenter per year
50 weeks/ 4 weeks fermentation = 12.5 cycles

For calculating the number of fermenters:

Annual production / (system size x number of cycles
per year) = number of fermenters

Your example:

Ale: annual production = 4,500 bbl x 80% =3,600 bbl
3,600 bbl per year / (15 bbl x 25 cycles per year) = 9.6 = 10 fermenters

Lager:
900 bbl per year / (15 bbl x 12.5 cycles) = 4.6 = 5 fermenters

For a total of 15 fermenters.

Double sized to 30 bbl will cut the number of fermenters.

If you want 5 beers on tap, you will need 5 serving tanks.

We have a brand new, never been used, 2000 liters (17 bbl) turnkey system available, it has everything, and sell for near used equipment price.
Email me for more information.

Frank
fma88@yahoo.com