What is a 7 bbl brewing system?

The Brewhouse Svindersvik in Nacka, Sweden. Brewhouse from Tinn, Norway. The Helsinki Bryggeri Brewhouse in Helsinki, Finland.

A brewhouse is a building made for brewing beer and ale. This could be a part of a specialized brewery operation, but historically a brewhouse is a private building only meant for domestic production.

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Larger households, such as noble estates, often had dedicated brewhouses that could be quite elaborate using equipment not too different from that of commercial breweries. English country houses have detailed records of brewhouses.[1]

In ordinary farming households brewing was in some regions done outside, particularly in summer. The Baltic countries have a concept of a "summer kitchen", which is basically an outdoor area used for cooking and brewing in summer, but brewing could also be done outside in parts of Norway and Sweden as well as Russia.

An ordinary farm household could rarely afford to dedicate an entire building, or even an entire room, to brewing, and so brewing was usually done in what is best understood as a "rough kitchen", a kitchen suitable for coarser jobs with heavy use of fire, such as sausage-making, butchering, large-scale baking, clothes washing, and brewing. This could either be a dedicated building or just a single room.

In Sweden it was not unusual to simply brew in the kitchen in the main house. Finnish customs may have been similar.

In Denmark brewing generally took place in a room known as "bryggers", serving as the "rough kitchen". The main part of the farm was generally a U-shaped complex of buildings enclosing the farm yard, with the "bryggers" as a room in this complex. The same arrangement could be seen in southern Sweden.

In Norway most farms had a separate building known as "eldhus" (literally: "fire-house") which also served as the "rough kitchen". In many cases this was the old main house of the farm, an earlier type of building with no chimney known as "årestue", converted to an eldhus after a new, more modern main house with chimney was built.

In Scandinavia and Eastern Europe there are several remaining farm brewhouses,[2] though few are now in use.

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A 7 barrel (BBL) brewhouse system provides an ideal capacity for small to mid-size craft breweries looking to produce distinctive, quality beers. This comprehensive guide covers key components of 7 BBL brewing equipment, process overview, layout options, leading suppliers, pricing, pros and cons, and considerations for optimizing a 7 barrel commercial brewery.

Overview of 7 BBL Brewing Systems

A 7 barrel brewery refers to a commercial brewhouse designed to produce 7 barrels per batch. With 31 gallons per barrel, this equates to 217 gallons or 588 cases of 12 oz beers per batch.

Reasons a starting or growing craft brewery may select 7 BBL equipment include:

• Matches capacity needs for taproom sales and initial distribution
• Lower capital investment versus larger systems
• Manageable vessel sizes for small spaces
• Allows flexibility for experimentation
• Scalable to add more batches or units as demand grows

This guide provides an in-depth look at 7 BBL brewery components, configurations, suppliers, costs, and key factors in designing an optimal 7 barrel brewhouse.

Components of a 7 BBL Brewhouse

A complete 7 BBL commercial brewing system consists of the following main equipment modules:

Brewing Vessels

• 7 BBL brew kettle
• 7 BBL mash tun
• 7 BBL fermenter tanks
• Brite tanks for storage

Production Steps

• Milling, mashing, lautering equipment
• Wort boiling kettle
• Whirlpool
• Chilling system
• Yeast pitching and fermentation
• Filtration system

Supporting Infrastructure

• Grain handling systems
• Piping
• Pumps
• Controls and automation
• Steam systems
• CIP systems
• Safety equipment

Additional lab equipment, packaging lines, grain handling, and more complete an operational 7 BBL brewhouse.

Overview of the 7 BBL Commercial Brewing Process

The standard commercial beer production process involves:

Milling &#; Cracking malt grain shells to access fermentable starches

Mashing &#; Mixing cracked malt and hot water for starch conversion to sugars

Lautering &#; Separating wort from spent grains through straining

Boiling &#; Boiling wort with hops for flavoring and preservation

Fermentation &#; Yeast converts sugars into alcohol and CO2

Conditioning &#; Allowing beer maturation prior to packaging

Packaging &#; Kegging, canning or bottling for distribution

7 BBL systems are engineered to optimize this sequence for efficiency and consistency.

7 BBL Brewhouse Equipment Configurations

7 barrel systems come in different configurations:

Automated vs. Manual

• Automated &#; Programmable PLC recipe control for hands-off operation
• Manual &#; Basic vessels require more user operation

Steam vs. Electric

• Steam heating &#; Uses steam boilers and piping
• Electric heating &#; Precise control with integrated elements

Single vs. Multi-Vessel

• Single vessel &#; Combined mash lauter tun and boil kettle
• Multi-vessel &#; Separate mash tun, lauter tun and boil kettle

Layout Arrangement

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• Linear &#; Straight inline equipment layout
• Compact &#; Vertically stacked to minimize footprint

Fully automated electric systems provide ease of use but at a premium cost over basic manual configurations.

Typical 7 BBL Brewery Layout and Flow

A 7 BBL brewhouse requires approximately 1,000 &#; 1,500 sq ft of space laid out into key zones:

• Raw Materials &#; Milling, grain storage, scales
• Brewing Area &#; Production vessels and steps
• Utilities &#; Steam systems, glycol chillers, pumps
• Controls &#; Operator stations and automation
• Ancillary Spaces &#; Yeast handling, storage, cleaning
• Packaging &#; Kegging, canning, bottling lines

An efficient layout balances workflow between zones while minimizing footprint. Linear layouts provide the most flexibility.

Customization Options for 7 BBL Brewing Systems

7 BBL breweries can be customized to unique requirements:

• Specific vessel dimensions and material construction
• Levels of automation
• Electric, steam or hybrid heating systems
• Additional equipment like heat exchangers, centrifuge, CIP
• Integrating fermentation, brite and packaging modules
• Monitoring and data tracking capabilities
• Overall brewhouse footprint and layout

It is important to consider both current production needs and future expansion plans when engineering a custom 7 BBL brewery.

Leading 7 BBL Brewing Equipment Suppliers

There are many high quality brewhouse manufacturers that offer 7 BBL systems. Some of the top suppliers in North America include:

CompanyLocationSystem TypesSpecific MechanicalVictoria, CanadaManual and automatedPremier StainlessEscondido, USAElectric and steam configsPsycho BrewGreenville, USABudget manual systemsRogue FabricationMoreno Valley, USACustom brewhouse engineeringPortland KettleworksPortland, USAMulti-vessel brewhousesSSW Brewery SupplyCharlotte, USACustomizable systems

Both local and nationwide suppliers provide options tailored to new and growing breweries.

7 BBL Brewing System Costs

A new 7 BBL brewhouse system represents an investment of $100,000 to $250,000 depending on the configuration:

• Basic manual 7 BBL system &#; $100,000 &#; $150,000
• Fully automated, electric &#; $200,000 &#; $250,000
• Additional vessel modules &#; $10,000 &#; $15,000 each
• Installation &#; $10,000 &#; $30,000
• Ancillary equipment &#; $20,000 &#; $50,000

Used 7 BBL systems offer 25-50% cost savings versus new equipment. Leasing options also help spread out upfront capital costs over time.

Pros and Cons of 7 BBL Brewing Systems

AdvantagesDisadvantagesIdeal capacity for small breweriesSignificant upfront capital investmentImproves consistency and controlAdditional modules increase costsScalable for future growthRequires full brewhouse footprintFlexibility for R&D and experimentationComplex systems need training/maintenanceComplete solutions from suppliersManual systems require heavy liftingShorter lead times for used equipmentNew systems may have long 12-20 week lead times

Applications for 7 BBL Brewhouse Systems

The 7 BBL capacity matches the production needs for:

• Taproom brewpubs and tasting rooms
• Local restaurants and bars
• Specialty craft breweries
• Pilot systems in larger breweries
• Starting nano breweries scaling up
• Private clubs or event centers

This size enables limited self-distribution in local markets before scaling up.

How to Select the Right 7 BBL System Provider

Important factors in choosing a 7 BBL brewhouse supplier include:

• Proven reputation for quality and reliability
• Breadth of equipment modules and customization options
• Manufacturing quality and materials
• Flexibility to meet unique specifications
• Services like design, integration, training
• Staff expertise to guide optimal system configuration
• Available options like automation and telemetry
• Overall value matching budget and growth plans

Evaluating multiple recommended suppliers is key to finding the best system. Tour existing 7 BBL installations when possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between direct vs indirect heat 7 BBL systems?

Direct fire brewhouses feature burners heating the kettles directly for efficiency. Indirect heat uses steam jackets or elements for more precise control.

How much beer can a 7 BBL system produce annually?

Running 3-4 batches weekly, 7 BBL systems can produce 500-1,000 barrels yearly. This scales up to 2,000-3,000 barrels with multi-unit expansions.

Does a 7 BBL system require special flooring?

Yes, reinforced floors are needed to handle vessel weight when filled. Trenches are often required for piping and drains.

What are the electrical requirements for a 7 BBL brewhouse?

Power needs vary based on configuration but typically range from 75-150 kilowatts depending on boiler size and number of motors.

What chemical storage and tanks are required?

Bulk storage tanks for caustic, acid and cleaning chemicals are required, along with proper containment. CIP systems automate delivery.

Conclusion

With a capacity ideal for small to mid-size craft breweries, a properly designed 7 BBL brewhouse creates efficiency, consistency and quality to support distinctive brands and recipes. When matched to production goals and growth plans, 7 BBL systems enable brewers to maximize their operations for local markets.

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