There was a time in most of our lives when a craft brewery was a novel concept. The Coors and Millers of the world controlled an overwhelming share of beer sales. Those early home brewing pioneers with exploding bottles in their basement just didn’t feel like much of a threat.
Fast forward to 2024, and craft beer is in full-scale maturity. People cannot get enough of the unique flavors specific to a particular location, with more and more breweries popping up to meet this insatiable demand.
The increased competition means that modern brewmasters must not only be beer experts, but expert businesspeople as well. One of the most important steps in ensuring a financially successful brewery is incorporating top-notch safety standards in facility design and day-to-day operations. Keep reading as we explore the various ways to integrate safety standards into brewery maintenance.
Implement Standard Operating Procedures
There is not a world where a brewery is financially successful but unsafe. As such, safety should be a primary component of day-to-day business operations.
A great way to ensure this is through the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs). SOPs serve as a type of daily guide, or road map, for each and every team member to follow. They help ensure that everyone exhibits the utmost care and attention to detail, limiting the risk of endangering customers, batches of beer, or fellow team members. According to Tom Horst, founder of Crystal Springs Brewing Company:
“We’re strong believers in SOPs. Having them serves as a guide to procedures, company policies, reminders and checklists. It’s easy to get into a comfort zone where one has done something so many times, it has become a habit – yet that’s when it becomes easy to overlook something. Having an SOP and using it, serves as a confirmation that you’re doing things right.”
Provide a Non-Slip Infrastructure
Hard floors and spilled beer–breweries can quickly become a slip-and-slide without the proper planning.
Therefore, it is crucial to provide the proper traction to keep customers and team members safe. It is highly recommended to include a non-slip additive when sealing epoxy terrazzo, concrete, or hardwood floors in the brewhouse and taproom. If you have inherited a brewery without slip-resistant floors, products such as SharkGrip can quickly add some needed tackiness to the surface. In a worst case scenario, put down some grip tape in high traffic areas of the taproom and brewhouse as a temporary measure until more comprehensive treatments are applied.
It is also important to adhere to all ada railing requirements. This extends beyond the bathrooms. Railings are critical to keep patrons safe on decks, ramps, stairwells, and any other area that may require additional stability. Rugs and spill mats should also be strategically placed around the bar and entryways to further mitigate risks.
Immediately Clean Any Spills
Speaking of spilled beer on brewery floors, it should come as no surprise that they need to be cleaned immediately. Puddles of brew not only put building occupants at risk, but they can damage floors and other property that are steeped in them.
But what about spills too big for a mop and rag? What happens when the brewing kettle, mash tun, or fermentation tank unexpectedly erupts in the brewhouse?
This is when it is time to call a hydrovac service. What is hydrovac? Hydrovac is a commercial waste removal service that uses a high-suction hose to efficiently remove spilled fluids from an area. The “vacuumed” fluid is pulled into a tanker truck that transports it away from the accident site to an area for safe disposal. It is the best way to quickly and comprehensively clean up commercial messes. For breweries that also include a kitchen, hydrovac also services grease traps to ensure the ongoing health of the drainage system and compliance with local regulations.
Keep the Brewhouse at the Appropriate Temperature
Every brewmaster is a stickler for details. The slightest deviation from a tried-and-true recipe can result in the failure of a batch.
In addition, it is critical to keep the brewhouse at the ideal temperature to guarantee optimal shelf life of the brew. Excessive heat is a death knell for freshness. Most brewers are familiar with the 3-30-300 rule. This rule of thumb suggests that beer will last 3 days stored at 90 degrees, 30 days stored at 72 degrees, and 300 days stored at 38 degrees.
While it is ideal for beer to sell in less than 3 days, this is not always realistic. Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest in commercial grade ceiling fans to help create a safe temperature for any beer sitting in storage. This is a far more cost- and energy-efficient solution than adding more air conditioning or refrigerator space.
Stay Up-to-Date with FDA Regulations
Thanks to the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011, breweries are required to file with the FDA and are subject to random FDA inspections. In a nutshell, the 900+ page document now mandates that breweries are held to the same standards of safety and cleanliness as a traditional food production facility. To keep your brews safe and ensure you face no fines or shutdowns, it is essential to keep the facility and brewing equipment highly sanitized at all times. There is also a major emphasis on reducing cross-contamination. For example, safeguards must be in place to keep yeast and bacteria from sour beers from making their way into non-sour batches.
A Comprehensive Approach to Ensuring Brewery Safety
From comprehensive SOPs to meticulous compliance with evolving FDA regulations, creating a safe brewery takes a holistic approach for ongoing success. For additional updates on the trends shaping the Colorado brewing scene, visit Crystal Springs Brewing Company for ideas, inspiration, and delicious small-batch beer.
Author Bio:
Jackie Kaufman is a freelance writer who shares her knowledge and studies of the construction and renovation industries. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her kids hiking the trails of Colorado where she and her family currently live. Jackie’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site.
