The Lauter Tun
A Lauter Tun plays a crucial role in the brewing process by separating the liquid extract (wort) from the solid remnants of the grain after mashing. The V-wire screen false bottom is a specific design feature within the Lauter Tun…
A Lauter Tun plays a crucial role in the brewing process by separating the liquid extract (wort) from the solid remnants of the grain after mashing. The V-wire screen false bottom is a specific design feature within the Lauter Tun…
After more than two months (66 days) at sea, the Pilgrims finally arrived at Cape Cod on November 11, 1620, 402 years ago. Originally bound for what is now the Hudson River in New York City, the ship opted for…
The Hop Cannon is an automated dry hopping system for direct injection of hop pellets into the fermenter. The Cannon includes a CO2 buffer tank, hopper and compressor. The hops feed from the hopper into a CO2 purged chamber, and…
The Berkshires is a rural region in the mountains of western Massachusetts, dotted with quaint villages and towns. A popular vacation destination, it’s known for outdoor activities, fall foliage–viewing, a farm-to-table food scene and thriving arts institutions. More recently, it’s…
There are several rules that define bourbon, the official spirit of the United States. One common misconception is that it has to be distilled in Kentucky. In fact, bourbon can be produced in any of the 50 United States. Federal…
Malting and Milling Malted barley is the favoured cereal grain used in traditional brewing processes. Barley is modified during the malting process to ensure biochemical changes occur within the grain which generate essential enzymes, sugars and proteins required in the…
Distillation is an age-old process that has been refined and perfected over centuries to create some of the world’s finest spirits and essential oils. At the heart of this alchemical art lies a deep understanding of the differences between the…
For centuries, the British Royal Navy was renowned not only for its formidable naval power but also for a curious tradition – the daily rum ration for its sailors. This centuries-old practice of providing British sailors with their daily tot…
At Specific, we know the importance of keeping equipment clean so your beer continues to win awards. That’s why we have 3 great CIP system options for any brewery. SMS CIP – 1 Cart The SMS CIP-1 Cart features a…
From the Middle Ages, we have many tales of adventure surrounding Sherwood Forest, The Sheriff of Nottingham and of course Robin Hood and his merry men. After a long day of robbing the rich to give to the poor, the…
One advantage Specific offers its customers is the availability of the Mash This is a traditional brewkettle, equipped with a mixer with folding blades to allow for an efficient whirlpool. Two of these vessels with a dedicated lauter tun make…
A Grant is a small wort collection vessel, placed between the lautering vessel and the wort kettle. The traditional purpose of a grant was threefold: (a) to avoid a potential vacuum in the lauter or mash/lauter tun during wort pumping…
In brewing, heat exchangers have various functions, but the primary task is for the cooling of wort (unfermented beer) and maintaining specific temperatures during the brewing process. The main difference between a single-stage and a two-stage heat exchanger lies in…
Irish whiskey and Scottish whisky (or whiskey) are both beloved spirits, but they have distinct characteristics and methods of production. Here are some key differences between distilling Irish whiskey and Scottish whisky: Spelling and Terminology: The most obvious difference is…
A carbonation stone, also known as a diffusion stone, is an essential tool in the brewing industry. It’s used to efficiently dissolve carbon dioxide (CO2) into the beer, creating the desired level of carbonation. A carbonation stone is typically made…
The angle of the Lyne Arm in a still can have a significant impact on the resulting distillate, affecting its flavour, aroma, and overall quality. Distillers can adjust the angle of the Lyne Arm to influence the separation and concentration…
Tri-clamps, also known as tri-clover clamps or tri-clover fittings, are commonly used in brewing systems for several important reasons: Sanitary Connections: Tri-clamps provide a sanitary and hygienic connection between various components in a brewing system. They are designed to create…
In the brewing process, a whirlpool vessel plays a crucial role in separating solid particles and hops from the liquid wort after boiling. Here’s how it works and what functions it serves: Wort Clarification: After boiling the wort (unfermented beer)…
In the world of brewing, the process of turning raw ingredients into a delicious brew is an intricate dance of science and art. At the heart of this process are two essential pieces of equipment: fermenters and bright tanks. These…
Adding hops during the brewing process is a crucial step in brewing beer. Hops are one of the primary ingredients in beer, contributing to its flavour, aroma, and bitterness. The timing and quantity of hop additions can significantly impact the…
Regina, Saskatchewan, is a city of just over 250,000 people, and features more than 350,000 hand-planted trees, an extensive park system and an array of museums, cathedrals and other elegant structures. But back in 1882, it was little more than…
Distillation can be performed either on or off the grain, depending on the type of spirit you are producing and the desired characteristics of the final product. On the Grain (Pot Distillation): Distilling on the grain, also known as pot…
Distillation, the art of transforming a fermented liquid into a spirit of higher alcohol content, is not just a craft; it’s a science. Behind the allure of copper stills and oak barrels lies a complex world of chemical reactions and…
Nestled within every brewery lies the beating heart of the operation — the brewhouse. This intricate ensemble of specialized equipment is where the magic of brewing unfolds. From mashing in the grains to boiling the wort, the brewhouse plays a…
As the craft brewing industry continues to flourish, investing in the right commercial brewing equipment is crucial for the success of any brewery. High-quality equipment not only ensures the production of exceptional beverages but also contributes to operational efficiency, consistency,…
No, it’s not necessary to have an all copper pot still to produce quality distilled spirits. While copper pot stills have been traditionally favoured for their unique characteristics and benefits, other materials such as stainless steel can also be used…
The distilling industry, much like a well-aged whiskey, is constantly evolving, adapting to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers. As we raise our glasses to the present, it’s essential to recognize the dynamic trends and innovations that shape the…
At the base of English Mountain, about 45 minutes east of Knoxville, Tennessee, a bountiful natural spring bubbles up over 2.5 million gallons of crystal clear water every day. For many generations, Native Americans had this place marked as a…
The realms of distilling and brewing hold a captivating allure for those with a taste for craftsmanship and a love of fine beverages. Both processes are steeped in history and tradition, yielding a range of libations that have delighted human…
In the intricate art of brewing, even the smallest details can have a significant impact on the quality and consistency of the final product. One such detail that has gained recognition among brewers is the grist hydrator. Often underestimated, the…
Lagering is a critical phase in the beer brewing process that involves storing and conditioning the beer at lower temperatures for an extended period. This step is essential for developing the smooth, crisp, and well-rounded flavours that lagers are known…
Nestled in the vibrant city of Calgary, Alberta, Banded Peak Brewing has established itself as a prominent player in the local craft beer scene. With its commitment to quality, innovation, and community, Banded Peak has garnered a loyal following of…
Distilling has long been considered an art form, transforming raw ingredients into spirits with distinct flavours and aromas that delight the senses. As the craft of distillation has evolved, so too has the technology and equipment used in the process.…
Specbrew automation has revolutionized the brewing industry, making the process more efficient, consistent, and accessible to a wider range of brewers. These technological innovations have significantly simplified brewing procedures, reduced manual labor, and improved the overall quality of the final…
Brewing equipment maintenance is crucial for ensuring the long-lasting performance and reliability of your brewing setup. Proper care and regular maintenance not only extends the life of your equipment but also contributes to the consistency and quality of the final…
Temperature control is a fundamental aspect of the brewing process, and it plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and consistency of the final product. Controlling the temperature at various stages of brewing, from mashing to fermentation and conditioning,…
In the brewing industry, both steam and direct fire heating methods are used for various stages of the brewing process. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, but here are some of the benefits of using steam over direct fire…
In recent years, a significant shift in consumer drinking habits has been witnessed worldwide, leading to the emergence and rapid growth of the NOLO (No and Low Alcohol) spirits market. NOLO spirits are designed to mimic the taste, aroma, and…
In the vast and diverse world of beer, where countless brands compete for attention, one element stands out as a beacon of identity and distinction—the label. Often overlooked, beer labels serve a crucial purpose beyond being visually appealing. They convey…
As the seasons change, craft brewers eagerly anticipate the opportunities and inspirations that each new season brings. From the crispness of autumn to the warmth of summer, the shifting seasons offer a chance for brewers to get creative, experiment with…
Distilling, the art of transforming raw materials into potent spirits, holds a fascinating history that spans thousands of years. From its humble beginnings in ancient civilizations to the refined techniques of the modern era, the practice of distillation has evolved,…
Craft beer enthusiasts are well aware of the crucial role that hops play in creating the distinct flavours, aromas, and bitterness that define their favourite brews. But have you ever wondered about the chemistry behind hop compounds and how they…
Craft brewing is a harmonious blend of art and science. While the artistry of creating unique flavors and styles is often celebrated, it’s essential to recognize the significant role that science plays in the craft brewing process. Understanding the chemistry…
Summer is a fantastic time for beer enthusiasts to indulge in refreshing and vibrant flavors that perfectly complement the sunny weather. Breweries around the world often create seasonal brews specifically tailored to capture the essence of summer. These beers are…
Distillation, the process of separating and purifying liquids through vaporization and condensation, has been a cornerstone of the alcohol production industry for centuries. Whether you enjoy a glass of whiskey, vodka, or rum, chances are it has undergone distillation to…
Distillation is a fascinating process that has been used for centuries to transform fermented liquids into spirits with higher alcohol content. From the traditional pot stills to the advanced column stills of today, distillation involves a combination of science, art,…
Necessity is the mother of invention, turns out, it’s also the aunt of success. Like many healthy University students, Chris Leurig felt driven to fuel his college parties with a cheaper alternative to store bought spirits, so he made…
A smart man once said, if you open a microbrewery and taproom in front of a museum that attracts more than 100,000 annual visitors, in a city that has no brewery of its own, in a state that allows small…
In the realm of craft brewing, a technique that has been gaining significant attention and appreciation is SourMash brewing. With its unique characteristics and distinct flavors, SourMash has carved a niche for itself among beer enthusiasts. This article will delve…
How does the barrel aging process work magic on your beloved beverages? The first thing to note is that there are three main factors at play here: the composition of the barrel, the duration of aging, and how these two…
The origins and true meaning of the Scandinavian term Skål is an oft debated topic. The most colourful meaning dates back to the middle ages, when bands of rampaging Vikings roamed Europe pillaging and handily beating other armies. Viking warriors…
The first-century Roman emperor Nero was famous for enjoying iced drinks flavored with honey, while ice houses and “ice pits” like the Persian yakchal were used to store food and drinks even earlier. Wealthy Romans enjoyed glacial ice brought down…
The head of a pot still is connected to the condensing system by a simple copper pipe called a lyne arm or lye pipe. But this insignificant-looking tube can have quite an influence on the flavour and style of the…
The trouble with hard work is that it’s not easy. It’s often harder than you thought it would be and doesn’t pay off as quickly as you hoped it would. Mark Freeland has been there, done that and bought the…
Beer is one of the oldest beverages in the world, having been invented before written language, and is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage on Earth. According to the Oxford Companion to Beer, beer is the third most popular drink…
“No/low is clearly becoming a more popular choice for On-Premise visitors, and in particular beer drinkers,” says Patrick Bannon, a Client Director for the research firm, CGA Strategy . “ If beer manufacturers can reproduce some of the great tasting…
For Ryan Scholz, everything was ok. Fine, in fact. He was in advertising and branding, working for a couple of realty companies. Not a bad job, but it wasn’t fueling his passion. With a background in hospitality, he had always…
1. A quick sniff and peek It is important to pour a beer into the proper glass so its aromas can be released. Once it is poured, quickly move the glass under your nose and inhale. Think of it as…
The CLT is a stainless steel water tank with cooling jackets or an external heat exchanger. The CLT is filled with water that is chilled between brewing cycles to a temperature around 35 F. This cold water is then pumped…
What is a BTU and how is it measured? A British thermal unit (BTU) is a measure of the heat content of fuels or energy sources. It is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound…
Peated whisky is given a smoky flavour by compounds which are released by the peat fires used to dry malted barley. The Length and intensity of exposure to the peat smoke dictates the strength of this flavour as do the…
Drive… Determination… Hard work… History… These are just some of the ingredients present in every drop produced by Whipper Snapper Distilleries in Perth, Western Australia. In 2010, Jimmy McKeown and Alasdair Malloch were two young men who became a…
Water makes up 90 percent of the suds that end up in your glass. And the different compounds within H2O can actually make or break a good beer. Brewers avoid using water with any noticeable tastes or aromas (think chlorine…
Mike Fava grew up in Philadelphia and turned his engineering background and love for brewing into a successful career. As Head brewer at Oxbow Brewing in Maine, he helped that business grow and expand, establishing himself as one of the…
The Reflux still differs from the Alembic in that multiple distillations occur in one single cycle. The addition of a column with bubble trays between the condenser and pot allows vapor to condense and trickle back down to be distilled…
A traditional batch distillation unit used for the production of distillates. It requires several cycles of distillation in order to refine the alcohol to the desired level. It consists of a tank, (which is usually steam-heated), and an overhead-vapor pipe…
Otherwise known as ethyl alcohol, “alcohol”, “grain-spirit”, or “neutral spirit”, etc. A clear, colorless, flammable oxygenated hydrocarbon. Chemical formula: C2H5OH. It has a boiling point of 78.5°C in the anhydrous state. However, it forms a binary azeotrope with water, with…
The addition of hops late in the brewing process to increase the hop aroma of a finished beer without significantly affecting its bitterness. Dry hops may be added to the wort in the kettle, whirlpool, hop back, or added to…
Mike Frohlich has been dreaming about owning a brewery since 1996. Like most of the people we highlight, someone with a dream, combined with drive, means it’s only a matter of time. In this case, the time came when Mike…
That portion of a liquid which is removed as a vapor and condensed during a distillation process.
Cross flow trays usually installed in rectifying columns handling liquids free of suspended solids. The bubble caps consist of circular cups inverted over small vapor pipes. The vapor from the tray below passes through the vapor pipes into the caps…
Like many young men, Leighton Moore wasn’t enchanted by school. At 16, he opted out and worked in his family’s motel in Ocean City, Maryland. After a trip to Jamaica, he was inspired to recreate the relaxed atmosphere and vibe and open…
Jim Thorpe, PA is a small picturesque town where tourism is the lead industry and it is considered one of the jewels of the Poconos. With a population of 4500, it’s not hard to know your neighbors and you can…
Does your lager recipe call for decoction? Many do, but sometimes breweries don’t have the budget or room for an extra vessel such as a cereal cooker. Specific Mechanical makes 2-vessel decoction easy by adding the Mash Conversion option to…
Few periods in US history were at once colourful, desperate and resourceful as the Prohibition era (1920 – 33). With the onset of the great Depression, work was scarce and families needed to eat. Moonshining became a necessity and Casey…
The mid 1800’s was an active time throughout the world and certainly a pivotal point in the history of the United States. In 1859, the bloodless “Pig War” on San Juan Island brought tension between Britain and America and the…
La Minganie is a love story between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the boreal forest. With more than 70,000 square kilometers of raw nature, this immense territory of the North Shore of Quebec is only connected to civilization by Route…
Antigua is a small, picturesque city surrounded by active volcanoes in southern Guatemala. It’s renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended Antigua’s 200-year reign as Guatemala’s colonial capital. This timeless, tropical…
For more than 10 years, Victoria Distillers has been producing some of Canada’s finest handmade spirits. A unique waterfront location in Sidney, British Columbia, houses the Specific Mechanical pot stills that produce their range of spirits – most notably, their…
It’s been said that “necessity is the mother of invention”, it’s just such a sentiment that led to the birth of Glacier Distilling. During a blizzard in the winter of 2009/10, Nic Lee and a group of friends were huddled…
Very few people get to study craft beer under one of the pioneers of the North American microbrewery movement. Frank Appleton taught Sean Hoyne what it means to make fantastic beer. A true mentor, Frank told Sean, “Make great beer, the…
The story of Delta Dirt Distillery, based in Helena, Arkansas, reads like an award-winning Hollywood screenplay that features history, determination, entrepreneurial spirit, struggle and ultimately, triumph. Four generations of Harvey Williams’ family have worked the farm that now provides the sweet potatoes and…
Santa Fe, New Mexico is the home of Altar Spirits, co-founded by the husband and wife team of Master Distiller Caley Shoemaker and Marketing Guru Jeff Gust. Their varied yet exceptional and highly decorated backgrounds mesh perfectly, making this distillery destined…
Specific Mechanical’s Lauter Tun is where the magic happens. Our Lauter Tuns are engineered to provide optimal Internal diameter for a more manageable set bed at sparge. The diameter of the Lauter Tun is important because it relates to the…
This new skid-mounted CIP system is a great new piece of equipment for keeping your brew house as clean as it can be! A 500L tank of acid, a 500L tank of caustic solution and a 1000L tank of hot…
The Laganière brothers were born into a family particularly fond of beer and gatherings. While still young, they began brewing in the family garage with makeshift equipment. They slowly gathered enough equipment to have a nano-brewery at home! During their university…
What an amazing three days in Denver! The mile high city was never more beautiful with 90 degree weather and a vibrant, welcoming population. Inside the conference centre was even better with hundreds of exhibitors and trade show floors swarming…
We are in the thick of it, having just come off the floor of the American Distilling Institute’s annual Distilling convention, this year located in Louisville, Kentucky. Our booth was impressive and featured a still that will be going to…
Located in Purcellville, VA, Catoctin Creek® was founded by Becky and Scott Harris in 2009 as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. Pronounced Ka-TOCK-tin, the name derives from the Indian tribal name “Kittocton” which meant “place…
Various recipes call for “decoction” mashing, this is a process that involves pumping about 1/3 of the mash from the vessel it was pumped into, to another vessel where it is boiled and mixed, then returned to the original vessel…
Certain recipes call for different treatments of the mash. In “step” mashing, the mash is heated to different temperature profiles and then allowed to rest. A “Ramp/Soak” temperature controller can be programmed by the brewer to automate this task. The…
Driftwood Brewery was born with the idea that “We want to consume food and drink that we have a connection with and that brings us joy”. They thought that if they cared about quality and locality – other people in…
Choosing the combination of Brew House Vessels is subjective based on the type of brewing you wish to do. Last week we touched on productivity and determined that having a Mash/Lauter tun, Brew Kettle and Whirlpool meant after your first…
The Mash Vessel is the first in the brew house chain to start the magic. At Specific, it traditionally comes with two Steam Jackets, (one on the bottom and one on the side), a Top Glass Manway, our signature Overboil…
Mashing is the term given to the start of the brewing process, where crushed grains are mixed with water to form a porridge-like mixture called the “mash.” It is in the mash that malt and other cereal starches are transformed…
Choosing the right brew house is a very important decision which depends on many factors, one of which is productivity. Productivity in itself breaks down into several branches. In this blog, we’ll look at speed of brewing and what vessel…
Nestled along a country road in Berks County, Pennsylvania, just west of Pottstown, Brinton Lodge has a storied history beginning in the 1700s. The site’s unusual architecture, eccentric history, and local legends are home to craft brewery and brewpub, Hidden…
Gervasi Vineyard In less than a decade, Gervasi Vineyard has gone from one family’s dream to a destination for lovers of fine wine, craft spirits and dining experiences. And now, Ohio’s Tuscan-inspired winery resort gives guests more luxurious reasons to…
A grist hydrator, typically an accessory for brew kettle/mash tuns, sits atop the tank and is used to rapidly hydrate the milled malt and adjuncts, as they are fed into the tun and mixed with hot, or sometimes cold, water.…
The Kansas City Bier Company Since 2014, Kansas City Bier Co. has pursued a simple mission: to brew authentic-tasting German-style bier with the same character, flavor and freshness as the bier brewed and consumed in Germany using traditional German brewing…
The Importance of GRIST in the Brewing Process Grist or “ground grist” refers to malt and cereal that is ground (milled) in the brewhouse by a malt mill at the beginning of the brewing process. The mills can be of…
Spunding is a process often used by lager brewers to naturally carbonate their beer. A device called a spunding valve is attached to the tank late in fermentation, when most of the sugars in the wort have been processed…
The Newfoundland Distillery Company Founded in 2016 by decorated Cordon Bleu Chef William Carter and famed international artist and broadcaster Peter Wilkins, The Newfoundland Distillery Company has firmly established itself as one of Canada’s national treasures and a source of…
Located in the trendy, walkable South End neighbourhood, Sycamore Brewing is the go-to Charlotte hangout for ambitious professionals in their 20s and early 30s. During the week, you’ll find a post-work crowd. But Sycamore shines even brighter on the weekends,…