Beer Equipment Key Terms

Arm yourself with important brewery terms

Whether you work for a large brewery or are interested in starting your own home business, it's important to know what each piece of equipment can do. Knowing the four main components, which are water, hops, malt extract and yeast, is the first step in outfitting your business with the best beer equipment. You should seek out the best companies to provide your equipment, but before you do, arm yourself with some specific brewery equipment terms.

 

Yeast

This single-cell fungus feeds on the sugars produced by the malt extract, resulting in alcohol and carbon dioxide. Many in the beer industry consider yeast to be the most essential ingredient in making beer.
Try: Read more about the powers of yeast at BeerScribe.com.

Hops

The main purpose of hops is to produce beer. Harvested from a cone-like flower, hops provide the bitterness, aroma and flavor to beer, and each manufacturer uses a different type and amount to make its beer unique. The hops also have antibacterial properties, which can extend shelf life and ward off spoilage.
Try: Learn about the history behind hops at Hopunion.

Malt extract

Malt extract comes in two forms: syrup or dry powder. The liquid form, referred to as LME, is about 20% water. The dry powder, called DME, has little, if any, water content. As a result, LME has a shorter shelf life than DME since it ages faster.
Try: Learn more about the types and brands of malt extract at Homebrew Zone.

Kegs

Kegs are the typical containers for storing beer once all the ingredients have been mixed together. These were originally made out of wood but are now made out of stainless steel. Kegs come in several sizes, with the most popular ones 2.5, 5, 7.75 and 15.5 gallons. Kegs that come from overseas are normally 13.2 gallons, or 50 liters.
Try: Learn about draft beer dimensions from Micro Matic.

Hydrometer

This instrument measures the density of liquid compared with water. This can come in handy for breweries as you can determine the percentage of alcohol in a completed beer by comparing the original gravity and final gravity.
Try: Read more about how to properly use a hydrometer at How to Brew.

Fermentation tank

The fermentation tank is where all the magic happens to make beer. The process of fermentation, which is when yeast breaks down the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide, requires a large container. Depending upon the amount of the brewed alcohol, you might need one that can hold several hundred gallons.
Try: Learn all about beer fermentation and the tanks required at HowStuffWorks.

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