In the world of craft brewing, the equipment you choose is more than just a collection of stainless steel tanks; it is the physical manifestation of your brand, your workflow, and your product’s quality. For the entrepreneur standing at the threshold of opening a new facility or expanding an existing one, the most significant decision often boils down to a choice between “Standard Models” and “Custom Brewery Equipment.”
While standard models offer a predictable, cost-effective, and rapid path to production, custom solutions promise a tailored fit that can optimize a unique space or a specific brewing style. This article explores the deep complexities of both paths to help you determine which investment aligns best with your brewery’s long-term vision and operational reality.
The Appeal of Standard Models: Efficiency and Predictability
Standard brewery models—often referred to as “off-the-shelf” or “turnkey” systems—are pre-engineered configurations based on industry-standard batch sizes (such as 5BBL, 7BBL, 15BBL, or 30BBL). These systems are designed to satisfy the needs of the “average” craft brewer.
1. Speed to Market
The most significant advantage of a standard model is the lead time. Because the engineering blueprints are already finalized and the manufacturing processes are streamlined, these systems can be fabricated and shipped much faster than a custom build. In an industry where “burnt rent” (paying for a lease while waiting for equipment) can sink a startup, getting beer in the tanks three months sooner is a massive financial win.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
Standardization allows manufacturers to achieve economies of scale. They can purchase raw materials in bulk for specific tank dimensions and use standardized jigs for welding and assembly. These savings are passed on to the brewer. For a startup on a tight budget, choosing a standard model often frees up capital for other necessities like marketing, taproom furniture, or high-quality raw ingredients.
3. Proven Performance and Documentation
Because hundreds of other brewers are likely using the exact same model, the “kinks” have been worked out. Standard models come with comprehensive manuals, predictable spare parts lists, and a community of other brewers who can offer troubleshooting advice. This predictability is invaluable for a head brewer who wants a system that “just works” from day one.
The Power of Custom Brewery Equipment: Precision and Optimization
Custom brewery equipment is designed from the ground up to meet the specific requirements of a brewer’s space, process, or aesthetic. This path is often chosen by experienced brewers who have outgrown the limitations of standard gear or by those operating in challenging physical environments.
1. Overcoming Spatial Constraints
Not every brewery is housed in a wide-open warehouse with 20-foot ceilings. Many of the world’s best craft beers are made in converted garages, historic basements, or narrow urban storefronts.
- Height Restrictions: Custom tanks can be designed “fat and squat” to fit under low ceilings.
- Narrow Footprints: Conversely, tanks can be made “skinny and tall” to maximize volume in a small floor area.
- Obstructions: Custom piping can be routed around support pillars or existing structural elements that would make a standard layout impossible.
2. Specialized Brewing Processes
If your brand identity revolves around a specific technique—such as decoction mashing for traditional German lagers, heavy fruit infusions, or high-gravity brewing—a standard system may actually hinder your quality. Custom equipment allows for:
- Unique Vessel Ratios: Larger mash tuns for high-gravity beers.
- Specialized Internal Components: Custom-milled false bottoms for better flow rates or specialized agitators for thick mashes.
- Additional Ports: Extra inlets for dry-hopping, fruit additions, or specialized sensors for advanced data tracking.
3. Branding and Aesthetics
In the modern craft beer market, the brewery itself is often a marketing tool. For taprooms where the brewhouse is visible to the public, custom aesthetics—such as copper cladding, unique lighting, or custom-shaped vessels—can create a “wow factor” that elevates the customer experience and strengthens brand identity.
Evaluating the Trade-offs: A Side-by-Side Comparison
To decide between custom and standard, you must weigh several factors against your specific business goals.
Feature Standard Models Custom Equipment Initial Cost Lower (Standardized Production) Higher (Engineering & Design Fees) Lead Time 3–6 Months (Average) 6–12+ Months Space Utilization Requires space to fit the gear Gear is built to fit the space Resale Value High (Easier to sell to others) Moderate (Harder to fit in other spaces) Process Control Basic / Intermediate Advanced / Specialized
When Should You Choose Standard?
Standard models are the ideal choice for:
- First-time brewery owners who need to minimize risk and move quickly.
- Production-focused facilities with ample square footage where the equipment doesn’t need to fit into tight corners.
- Brewers on a strict budget who prioritize ROI over specific aesthetic or process “wants.”
If your goal is to produce a high-quality IPA, Stout, or Lager using traditional methods in a standard industrial unit, a standard model will almost always be the most efficient use of your capital.
When is Custom Worth the Investment?
Custom equipment becomes a necessity when:
- The building is the boss: If you have a historic or uniquely shaped building that you cannot modify, custom gear is often the only way to reach your target production volume.
- You have a “Signature” process: If your beer requires a non-standard step that off-the-shelf gear cannot accommodate without awkward “workarounds.”
- Scaling an established brand: For a second or third location, you may have learned exactly what you hated about your first standard system and want to “perfect” the workflow in the new build.
The Hidden Complexity of Customization
It is important to note that “custom” does not just mean “better.” Customization introduces more variables. Every custom change requires new engineering calculations for flow rates, heat transfer, and structural integrity.
When you move away from a standard model, you are essentially asking the manufacturer to build a “prototype” specifically for you. This requires a much higher level of communication and a manufacturer with a robust engineering team. If the custom design is flawed—for example, a tank that is so tall it’s difficult to clean—you are stuck with that flaw for the life of the equipment.
Why Micet Offers the Best of Both Worlds
Choosing between “Standard” and “Custom” doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Micet has built its reputation by offering a hybrid approach that provides the reliability of standard models with the flexibility of custom engineering.
Micet understands that while the “heart” of the brewery can be standard, the “limbs” often need to be custom. They offer a range of pre-engineered systems that serve as a foundation, which can then be modified with custom port placements, specialized dimensions, or advanced automation packages.
Why Micet is the Right Partner:
- Engineering Excellence: Micet employs a dedicated team of designers who use advanced CAD and 3D modeling to ensure your custom equipment fits perfectly before a single piece of steel is cut.
- Quality of Craftsmanship: Whether standard or custom, all Micet equipment is made from premium 304 or 316L stainless steel with high-precision TIG welding.
- Global Support: Micet provides the documentation and support typically found with standard models, even for their most complex custom builds.
- Turnkey Flexibility: They can provide everything from standard fermenters to custom-designed brewhouse skids, ensuring that your entire production line is integrated and efficient.
By choosing Micet, you aren’t just buying tanks; you are hiring an engineering partner dedicated to making your brewery as efficient as possible, regardless of the physical or financial constraints you face.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Does custom equipment have a lower resale value?
In many cases, yes. A standard 15BBL fermenter can be sold to almost any brewery in the country and will fit through a standard garage door. A custom “tall and skinny” 15BBL tank might only fit in a building with very high ceilings, limiting your pool of potential buyers if you ever decide to upgrade or close.
2. How much more does custom equipment cost compared to standard?
Typically, you can expect to pay a 15% to 30% premium for custom equipment. This covers the extra engineering time, the specialized fabrication setups, and the potential for increased material waste during the custom cutting process.
3. Can I customize a standard model later?
To an extent, yes. You can add sensors, upgrade pumps, or modify piping after installation. However, structural changes—like changing the shape of a tank or adding a cooling jacket—are nearly impossible to do cost-effectively once the equipment is in your building. It is always better to “get it right” during the fabrication phase.
