(Grand Rapids, MI) – Last year, Founders Brewing Co. brewed began operations on this brand-new Steinecker system from Krones AG. Gazette.net reported in January that it is an 85-barrel system, increasing the company’s capacity to 200,000 barrels per year. Founders could produce 85,000 barrels on the system in 2012, according to the co-founders.

Krones says that this is first CombiCube B system in the United States, one customized for small brewers. Here are more details from the Krones AG website.

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CombiCube B for breweries with an annual output of up to 150,000 hectolitres – this is the latest innovation developed at Krones’ Steinecker facility, enabling mid-tier breweries to benefit from »Technology made by Steinecker«.

The purposefully defined task, says Divisional Manager Ulrich Walk, was to transfer all the technological advantages of large-size Steinecker brewhouses to a unit for the small output range. The salient aspects driving development work for this innovative concept, he continues, had been the stipulations encountered at small breweries where many different types of beer are produced in a variety of disparate brew sizes, where seasonal business is of major importance and where there is often just one person responsible for all phases of the brewing operation.

On a footprint of up to 135 square metres, the engineers combined standardised vessels for the mashing and wort-boiling processes, plus a lauter tun and a whirlpool. The important question when specifying the concept for the CombiCube B is whether brewing is to use the infusion or the decoction process. Matched to the procedure employed for mashing, the entire brewing sequence thus takes place in a single brewing line, featuring three, four or five vessels.

“Large-scale-type technology for mid-tier brewing sequences.” What first catches the eye is the compactly dimensioned frame construction for all kettles, a downscaling achieved by vessel standardisation. A quick glance into the vessels’ interior showed each and every one of the guests that it is definitely possible to fit Steinecker’s field-proven technology into a smaller brewing line as well. Take the super-efficient Stromboli Venturi tube, for instance: this ensures maximised levels of wort quality coupled with minimised evaporation here too.

“This is large-scale-type technology for mid-tier brewing sequences”, said one of the gratified guests, adding that this inexpensive brewing concept can be a very persuasive option for many smaller breweries. “The cost-benefit ratio, plus some really sophisticated technology, offered in a single package, make this CombiCube B really attractive”, concurred another participant.

In a project aimed at mid-tier companies, the cost aspect is of particular importance, emphasised Ulrich Walk. “With the standardisation features and the frame construction implemented, we’re looking very good in terms of transportation costs. And installation and commissioning are also completed in next to no time. So you can start brewing straight away!”