Craft Beer Equipment: Where To Buy?

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced brewer, having the right equipment is essential for making craft beer. From home brewing to commercial operations, there are various suppliers offering a wide range of equipment to cater to different needs. For instance, Craft a Brew offers premium home brewing kits, while companies like Ager Tank & Equipment Co. and Canadian Craft Solutions Inc. specialize in new and used equipment for the brewery and beverage industries. GW Kent, another supplier, provides a range of brewing supplies, including fermenters, brite tanks, and brewhouses, with the largest tank stock in America. With the right supplier, you can find everything from starter kits to advanced equipment for crafting your favourite beverages.

Home brewing kits

Mr. Beer

Mr. Beer's home brewing kits are a popular choice for beginners. Their compact Little Brown Keg fermenter allows you to brew and bottle two gallons of beer. The starter kits include everything you need except bottles, and you only need some common kitchen items and water to get started. Mr. Beer offers a range of beer styles for their kits, including American Lager, Long Play IPA, Golden Ale, and Northwest Pale Ale.

Northern Brewer

Northern Brewer has been in the beer-making business since 1993 and offers a range of home brewing kits and equipment. Their kits are designed by homebrewers, for homebrewers, and include easy-to-follow instructions. Northern Brewer provides kits for all levels, from beginners to advanced brewers. The kits include equipment and ingredients for a 1-gallon or 5-gallon batch, with options for electric brewing systems and All-Grain brewing.

Brooklyn Brew Shop

Brooklyn Brew Shop's home brewing kits are reusable and include everything you need for a 1-gallon, all-grain batch of beer. They offer a variety of beer styles, such as the Everyday IPA, Bruxelles Blonde, Chocolate Maple Porter, and Afternoon Wheat Beer.

Craft a Brew

Craft a Brew offers premium home brewing kits that are perfect for beginners or experienced enthusiasts. Their compact, all-in-one kits are great for gifting and include a range of options such as 1 and 5-gallon beer-making kits, fermenters, and over 20 styles of beer to choose from. Craft a Brew also provides kits for other fermented beverages like wine, kombucha, mead, and hard cider.

Online marketplaces

Another popular online marketplace is CraftShack, which connects beer buyers with smaller craft-centric bottleshops. CraftShack offers a simple way to purchase craft beer without leaving your home, and its CEO, Julian Yakoo, emphasises its role in helping customers find beers that may not be distributed in their state or are limited releases.

For those looking to buy or sell used brewing equipment, Used-Brewing-Equipment.com, a subsidiary of Portland Kettle Works, provides an online platform for this specific purpose. This site allows customers to trade up their current equipment for newer models, providing a cost-effective solution for those on a tight budget.

Other notable mentions include CellarsCorner.com, specifically designed for winery equipment, and CraftBeer.com, which offers a centralised platform for buying and selling new and used brewing equipment. These online marketplaces provide craft beer enthusiasts and professionals with convenient platforms to find the equipment they need or sell their unused gear.

Commercial brewing equipment

Bespoke Brewing Solutions

Bespoke Brewing Solutions offers a one-stop shop for all your brewing equipment needs. With over six years of experience working together as a team and over ten years of experience manufacturing brewing equipment, they can source equipment and design brewhouse configurations for any type of brewery. They oversee the production of their products from design to manufacturing, ensuring their equipment meets US, Canadian, and Australian standards.

ABS Commercial

ABS Commercial is a full-service brewery and parts outfitter with over ten years of experience. They specialize in multi-vessel brewhouses, tanks, keg washers, and small parts, as well as equipment for distilling and cider-making. ABS Commercial works closely with brewers to design the perfect setup, whether for a new or expanding brewery.

BrewBids

BrewBids is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of beverage equipment and supplies worldwide. It offers a platform to find new and used equipment from various suppliers, such as Ager Tank & Equipment Co., Bridgetown Brew Systems, Canadian Craft Solutions Inc., and many others.

Other Suppliers

Other companies that provide commercial brewing equipment include Glacier Tanks, NFE Machinery Co., Ltd., and Tiantai Beer Equipment Co., Ltd. These suppliers offer a range of equipment, from stainless steel tanks and brewhouses to complete brewery setup packages.

Fermenters and brite tanks

There are several companies that offer fermenters and brite tanks for craft beer brewing. Here is an overview of some reputable suppliers:

GW Kent

GW Kent provides a premium selection of top-quality jacketed brite tanks and fermenters. Their products range in capacity from 5 BBL to 30 BBL and are designed for efficiency and excellence in brewing operations. The tanks are constructed with stainless steel and are available in various sizes, ensuring optimal temperature control and carbonation for exceptional beverage crafting.

Glacier Tanks

Glacier Tanks specialises in providing high-quality stainless-steel equipment for the food, beverage, and chemical processing industries. They offer both jacketed and non-jacketed brite tanks in various sizes, including 1 bbl, 2 bbl, 3 bbl, and up to 120 bbl capacities. Their tanks are known for their durability, ease of sanitation, and odour and discolouration resistance.

Stout Tanks

Stout Tanks, offered through GW Kent, provides a comprehensive range of fermenters and brite tanks. Their products include short-style and legged fermenters, as well as unitanks and stackable options. The capacities of their tanks vary, with offerings such as 7-gallon, 15-gallon, 1 BBL, 2 BBL, 3 BBL, and up to 30 BBL options.

BrewBids

BrewBids is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of beverage equipment and supplies. They feature various suppliers, including Ager Tank & Equipment Co., Bridgetown Brew Systems, and Canadian Craft Solutions, among others. Through BrewBids, you can explore a diverse range of new and used fermenters and brite tanks from different manufacturers, making it a one-stop shop for your craft beer equipment needs.

Brew pots and kettles

When it comes to crafting your own beer, brew pots and kettles are essential pieces of equipment. They are used during the mashing and boiling stages of the brewing process and come in a variety of sizes and materials. Here's what you need to know about choosing and purchasing brew pots and kettles for your craft beer endeavours:

First, consider the volume of beer you intend to brew. Brew pots and kettles are available in various sizes, typically ranging from 5 to 100 gallons. For home brewing, the most common sizes are 7, 8, or 10 gallons, which yield approximately 5 gallons of finished beer. If you plan on brewing larger batches, you'll need a bigger pot or kettle to accommodate the increased volume.

Next, let's look at the materials used in their construction. Stainless steel is the industry standard for brew pots and kettles due to its durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of cleaning. Within the category of stainless steel, there are different grades to consider. For instance, the most common grades for homebrewing might be 304 and 316 stainless steel, while commercial brewing equipment could offer even higher grades for enhanced corrosion resistance, such as 316L.

When purchasing a brew pot or kettle, look for features that will streamline your brewing process. For example, a tri-clad bottom improves heat distribution and reduces the likelihood of scorching your wort. Volume markings on the pot can help with accurate measurements during brewing. Additionally, consider a pot or kettle with a built-in stainless steel valve for easy wort transfer directly into your fermenter, simplifying the process and reducing the risk of contamination.

In addition to the pot or kettle itself, there are accessories that can enhance your brewing experience. A stainless steel lid is crucial for retaining heat and preventing excess evaporation during the boil. Also, consider a false bottom to facilitate the filtering out of hops and other solids during wort transfer, resulting in a clearer beer. To get started, look for retailers offering kits that bundle the pot or kettle with some of these essential accessories, providing a convenient and cost-effective solution.

Lastly, when making your purchase, consider the reputation and customer support offered by the retailer or manufacturer. Brewing equipment is an investment, and it's important to choose a company that stands behind its products. Check reviews from fellow craft beer enthusiasts and homebrewers to gauge the quality, durability, and after-sales service provided, ensuring you receive the necessary support should any issues arise with your equipment.

Frequently asked questions