What is the difference between two-vessel and three-vessel breweries?
A brewery consists of several containers, each serving a specific purpose. The two most commonly used types of brewhouses are two-vessel and three-vessel brewhouses. Follow Tiantai to explore the differences between these two brewing equipment and help you decide which brewing equipment is right for your brewery.
Two vessel brewery
A two-vessel brewery is the simplest type of brewery and consists of a mash/lauter tun and a kettle/whirlpool. Let's take a closer look at each vessel.
Mash / Lauter Tun
The mash/lauter tun is where the malt is mixed with hot water to make a mash, which then circulates through a perforated false bottom to separate the malt wine from the wort. The wort is then transferred to a kettle/whirlpool to boil. In a two-vessel brewery, the mash/lauter tun can also be used as a lauter tun to separate the wort from the dregs.
Kettle/Whirlpool
The kettle/whirlpool is where the wort is boiled and hops are added to impart bitterness, flavor and aroma to the beer. After boiling, the wort is transferred to a whirlpool, where it is swirled to separate the hot lysates from the wort, then cooled and transferred to fermenters.
Three vessel Brewery
A three-vessel brewery is a more complex and multifunctional system consisting of a mash tun, lauter tun and kettle/wirlpool. Let's take a closer look at each ship.
Mash tun
The mash tun in a three-vessel brewery is where malt is mixed with hot water to make syrup. Unlike a two-vessel brewhouse, the mash tun in a three-vessel system is dedicated to mashing and does not double as a lauter tun.
Lauter Tun
The lauter tun is where the wort is separated from the dross. It is equipped with a false bottom which allows the wort to drain into the kettle while leaving the lees.
Kettle/Whirlpool
The kettle/whirlpool in a three-vessel brewhouse is similar to that in a two-vessel system. This is where the wort is boiled and hops are added, and the vortex is used to separate wort from wort.
Choosing the right brewery for your brewery
Here are a few things to consider when choosing between two-vessel and three-vessel brewing:
Two tank breweries are generally suitable for small and medium breweries producing up to 10,000 barrels of beer per year, the main advantages are their simplicity and cost-effectiveness, it requires less space and fewer containers, which means lower capital costs and lower operating costs. Two-vessel breweries have more limited capacity and may not be suitable for larger breweries that require greater flexibility and control over the brewing process, but can still produce a variety of beer styles.
Three vessel breweries are more suitable for large breweries with an annual output of more than 10,000 barrels of beer. The main advantage is its flexibility and control over the brewing process. A three-vessel brewhouse requires more space and more vessels, which means higher capital costs and higher operating costs. It is more efficient than a two-vessel brewing plant, with higher output and better beer quality. For larger breweries, a three-vessel brewery can provide a better return on investment in the long run.
Conclusion
Choosing a two or three vessel brewhouse depends on the size of the brewery, the type of beer to be brewed, and your budget. The right brewhouse for your brewery is the one that best meets your needs and goals as a brewer.
If you are planning to open a brewery. TIANTAI BrewTech could help you answer your questions and supply the brewery equipment system. We supply 2-150bbl complete beer brewing brewery equipment system including malt milling equipment, brewhouse equipment, fermenters, brite beer tanks, beer bottling machine,beer canning machine, beer kegging machine, hopping machine, yeast propagation equipment. We also supply all auxiliary brewery systems like steam heating pipe and valves, water treatment, filter, air compressor etc. Everything in brewery are all in our list.
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