Small Electric Breweries
I’ve never brewed on an electric system but I think it is a good alternative for small breweries. I used to discount these system out of hand until I discovered all the small breweries in the UK. Almost all of them are electric and in the 5 BBL (U.S.) size. If you are curious just how many there are check out the quaffale site. I visited a sweet one in Scotland some years ago called the Moulin Brewery. Their entire brewery was made up of converted Grundy tanks, which won my heart over. The kettle simply had an electric element installed in the side, with a manway added to the top with a steam stack. All their tanks had wood cladding added, and I found this to be the case on most small breweries in the UK. That wouldn’t be my first choice but hey, it works for them.
Blichmann has a sweet little 3.5 BBL brewhouse for $13,499. I wouldn’t go any smaller than that however or you would be brewing everyday just to keep up. I still think a 5 BBL system is a better starting point, and maybe the perfect compromise. If you go larger you should move to a gas fired system and at 15 BBL move to a steam system, but I digress.
Stout Tanks also has electric kettles, with a 7 BBL uninsulated for less than $7,000, however they do not come with the electric elements but do have the tri clamp openings for them.
If you choose to make your own electric kettle, the best way is to weld in tri-clamp openings into the side for your electric heating elements. That way you can pull them out to clean after a brew. Blichmann sells a replacement set of three electric elements for their 3.5 BBL system, already in tri-clamp form for $900.
You will want to make sure that your brewery has adequate electric service available; At least a 400 amp service would do. Also, if you had three-phase electric to your building, that would save on electricity, but single phase works just as well also.
One huge advantage to an electric kettle is no need for a gas exhaust flu separate from the steam vent. That’s one less roof penetration needed, and less double wall piping for the hot gasses coming from the flame under your kettle.
Just in writing this up, I could see myself in a taproom brewery, about 25 seats and a little 5 BBL electric system producing cask ale and regular beers as well. It certainly wouldn’t be expensive, and if the beer is good, the Oyster in place, and a super good business system, well then, what else do you need?
