A “brite tank” is an essential piece of equipment used in the brewing of beer, wine, and spirits. It is essentially a stainless-steel fermentation and storage vessel that allows brewers to store, condition, and carbonate their finished beer prior to packaging.
Brite tanks offer clear sight glasses, various outlets and connection points, and adhere to hygienic standards. The brite tank is a very versatile piece of equipment and can be used for a variety of processes and activities such as maturations, clarifications, carbonation, blending, bottling, and filtering.
It also provides extra protection to the beer and eliminates the need to transfer the beer from one tank to another and allows full utilization of available space during fermentation and storage. The additional services that the brite tanks provide, such as filtration, sanitization, degassing, and carbonation, allow for a much faster brewing process and improved beer taste.
The use of brite tanks also allows for better quality control, since it stores finished beer for extended periods of time and stabilizes the beer. This eliminates the need for brewers to rush from fermenter to bottling or canning line when reaching maximum fermentation.
What is the difference between a brite tank and Unitank?
A brite tank (also known as a bright beer tank or serving tank) is a tank used for maturing, carbonating and conditioning beer (or wine). A brite tank is typically used for carbonating and stabilizing beer prior to transferring it to a keg or bottling it.
This tank typically contains a carbonation stone which injects carbon dioxide directly into the beer to carbonate it while it matures in the tank.
A Unitank, on the other hand, is a combination of both a bright beer tank and a fermenter. This tank has two sets of ports, one for fermentation and one for carbonation and serving, allowing both fermentation and carbonation/maturing to take place in the same vessel.
This allows for significant savings in cost and space, as well as allowing for more controlled fermentation and maturation cycles. Additionally, Unitanks can be chilled prior to fermentation, allowing for lower fermentation temperatures and greater control of the fermentation process.
How long does a brite tank last?
Brite tanks, or bright beer tanks, are cylindro-conical vessels where beer is stored after primary fermentation and before packaging. Typical brite tank sizes are in the range of 3 to 10 bbls. (1 bbl = 31 US gallons).
The term can also refer to serving tanks, which often hold 5 to 10 bbls. Bright tanks are stainless steel vessels with glycol cooling jackets and they have a pressure-rated cylinder that allows carbonation of the beer.
The cone bottom of the vessel allows for complete drainage. Most brite tanks have a rotating racking arm that can be used to transfer beer from one bright tank to another or to a packaging vessel. The racking arm has a sanitary butterfly valve that controls the flow of beer.
Brite tanks also have a pressure relief/vacuum valve, a sanitary temperature probe, and a CIP (clean-in-place) ball. Most brite tanks have an inner shell and an outer jacket. The space between the inner shell and outer jacket is typically filled with glycol and water for cooling.
Brite tanks can last for many years if they are made of high-quality stainless steel and maintained properly. glycol and water should be changed every three to five years to prevent corrosion. The inner shell and outer jacket should be inspected regularly for any signs of damage or wear and tear.
Can you carbonate in a brite tank?
Yes, you can carbonate in a brite tank. A brite tank, also known as a bright beer tank, is a type of tank that performs several functions in the beer brewing process. It allows for the fermentation and maturation of beer and can also be used for conditioning, racking, carbonation and serving the beer.
When carbonating the beer in a brite tank, brewers will often add priming sugar or wort before closing the tank and then storing it at a steady temperature for a period of time to allow for the beer to carbonate naturally.
Brewers can also inject CO2 directly into the brite tank to speed up the carbonation process. Once the beer is carbonated, the beer can then be served or transferred to a keg.
Why is it called a brite tank?
A Brite tank is so named because the term “brite” is taken from “bright beer tank”, an indication of the tank’s purpose. As its name implies, a brite tank is used for the final storage and conditioning of beer prior to packaging or serving.
The tank serves to clarify, stabilize, and carbonate the beer in a short period of time. By using the brite tank and its pressurized carbon dioxide headspace, brewers are able to force carbonate finished beer quickly and easily.
The carbon dioxide also purges oxygen from the beer, which is critical in staving off negative impacts of oxidation on the beer’s shelf stability. When the beer is ready, operators can draw samples directly from the brite tank without impeding either control or procedural flow.
Can you use a brite tank as a fermenter?
Yes, you can use a brite tank as a fermenter. A brite tank is a type of stainless steel vessel often used in breweries after fermentation and before packaging. The tanks provide a great environment for beer fermentation, as the steel walls are easy to clean and the inert nature of stainless steel does not interfere with the flavors.
Most brite tanks also have top manway lids which can be used to add dry hopping or other hops late in the fermentation process. They also have a pressure relief valve, which allows you to relieve the pressure of the fermenter during the carbonating process.
The tanks are also insulated, which helps keep the temperature at an even level, enabling you to better control your fermentation. With the addition of a heating or cooling jacket, you can easily create the right fermentation environment for whatever type of beer you’re brewing.
What is a carbonation stone?
A carbonation stone is a device used to infuse and dissolve carbon dioxide gas (CO2) into liquids, such as beer wort, juice and vinegar. It’s often used in the brewing of beer, cider and kombucha, as well as for soda water.
The carbonation stone consists of a small stainless steel tube connected to a base with small holes. The gas is bubbled up through these holes, where it blends with the liquid. This process drastically reduces the time needed to carbonate beer or other drinks, as the carbonation occurs much more quickly than it does when a beverage is left to sit and dissolve CO2 from the air.
The device also helps ensure that the liquid is evenly carbonated, resulting in a more consistent taste. Carbonation stones are also incredibly easy to operate and require minimal equipment and supplies.
What is a Unitank?
A Unitank is a type of brewery tank that is used for fermenting and storing beer. It is typically a cylindrical, stainless steel tank that is sealed off from outside air and light, providing an ideal controlled environment for the fermentation and storing of beer.
Depending on the needs and size of a particular brewery, Unitanks can range in size from 3-15 hectoliters (HL) – 1 hectoliter is equivalent to about 26.4 gallons. These tanks are equipped with a number of features to help brewers maintain and monitor their beer, such as cooling jackets, racking arms, dip tubes, and sampling valves.
Unitanks usually come with either a conical or cylindrical bottom, allowing brewers to clarify, settle, and age their beer, as well as easily collect yeast and debris. Additionally, these tanks can also be used for secondary fermentation of beer, and flavoring with hops or spices, providing great versatility and control.
How many brite tanks do I need?
The exact number of brite tanks you will need will depend on several factors, such as your desired beer production rate, the type of beer you are producing, and your total fermentation capacity. Generally speaking, you should plan to have at least one brite tank for every 20-30 barrels of production capacity.
This will allow you to have a sufficient amount of beer to package and serve, while also providing enough room for conditioning, clarifying, and carbonation.
When deciding on a setup for your brewery, it is important to consider the different types of brite tanks available on the market. The most common type is the horizontal brite tank, which is typically used for conditioning and carbonating beer.
The conical cylindrical brite tank, which is a larger, vertical-style tank, may be better suited for producing higher-gravity beers since it provides more surface area and allows for greater temperatures control.
Finally, the open-top brite tank is useful for short-term storage of beer prior to packaging.
It is also important to assess how much beer you plan to produce and store at any one time. A larger, more sophisticated brewhouse may require three or more brite tanks, while a smaller-scale brewery may only need one or two.
Additionally, if you plan on bottling or canning your beer, you might need multiple brite tanks to ensure your efforts are not wasted by over-carbonating or storing stale beer.
In conclusion, the number of brite tanks you will need will depend on your desired production rate, beer type, and available space for fermenting and conditioning. The most common types of brite tanks include horizontal, conical cylindrical, and open-top.
Additionally, the total amount of beer you plan to produce and store, as well as your packaging plans, will all have an impact on the number of tanks you will need.
How long should you be in a bright tank?
It is generally recommended that beer be held in a bright tank (also known as a serving tank) for a minimum of four days prior to being served. This time period gives the beer four days to settle and carbonate, but the exact length of stay in a bright tank will vary depending on the type of beer, the temperature, and the desired carbonation level.
For instance, lighter beers such as lagers often need around four to eight days in a bright tank, while darker beers like stouts and porters may require longer. Additionally, warmer temperatures will speed up the carbonation process, and cooler temperatures can slow it down.
To ensure that a beer is adequately carbonated, it is important to monitor the carbonation regularly, adjust as needed, and always keep track of how long the beer has been in the bright tank.
What does a fermentation tank do?
A fermentation tank is a type of vessel used in the fermentation process of making beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. The primary purpose of the tank is to provide a controlled environment for yeast to convert the sugars in the liquid into alcohol and other flavor components.
The fermentation tank allows the brewer or vintner to precisely control the temperature, nutrients, and other conditions to ensure the desired outcome of fermentation. Temperature control is especially important since temperatures that are too low will cause slow, incomplete conversion of the sugars while temperatures that are too high can adversely affect the flavor and aroma of the finished beverage.
The tank is also important in separating the liquid from its solid components such as hops and sediments, enabling the brewer or vintner to steer the fermentation process without interference from external elements.
