Maintaining your Brewery Maintains your Brand!

If you need a simple reminder, feel free to print and laminate this list to use as a checklist for your daily maintenance routine. Small daily actions lead to long-term success for your brewery and brand.

Essential Maintenance Tasks for Your Brewery

Keeping up with brewery maintenance is critical for ensuring smooth operations, maintaining beer quality, and reducing unexpected downtime. Regular inspections, cleaning, and maintenance not only extend the life of your equipment but also enhance the safety and efficiency of your brewery. Below is a comprehensive list of essential maintenance tasks organized by area:

Grain Mill & Auger

• Inspect wiring and components for wear and tear.
• Vacuum the interior to remove dust and debris.
• Perform a milling sieve test to ensure the correct grain grind size.
• Use a soft-bristle brush to clean dust from the mill room.
• Lubricate all moving parts.
• Check the roller teeth for wear and tear.

Brewhouse & Tanks

• Use an acid wash to eliminate beer stones and descale exterior surfaces.
• Perform a deep clean CIP (Clean-In-Place) and sanitize all vessels.
• Inspect all valves, clamps, and gaskets for wear or damage.
• Inspect motors for rust, faulty wiring, worn threads, and loose bolts on larger equipment.
• Inspect and clean all sight glasses, and check the lenses for cracks or other damage.

Pumps & Heat Exchanger

• Disassemble and clean pumps, checking seals for wear.
• Disassemble and clean the heat exchanger, inspecting plates for damage or fouling.
• Ensure spare gaskets and pump seals are on hand for replacements.

Small Parts & Brewhouse Accessories

• Sanitize and clean all small components and instruments (e.g., clamps, buckets, pitchers, keg lines, yeast brinks).
• Inspect gaskets for rips, holes, or fading, and replace them as necessary.
• Purge, clean, and sterilize hoses, inspecting for damage and wear. Replace transfer hoses every five years.
• Apply food-grade grease to sample ports, fermenter doors, and manway door hinges.
• Recalibrate dissolved oxygen readers, thermometers, refractometers, pH meters, and CO2 volume meters.

Packaging

• Use a cleaning keg with viewports to monitor the cleaning cycle.
• Inspect kegs for dents or damage, ensuring they can hold pressure.
• Check keg couplers’ seals and spears.
• Perform an acid wash on kegs to remove beer stone buildup.
• Inspect hoses in the canning line for discoloration or deterioration.
• Lubricate all moving parts in the canning line with food-grade grease.
• Ensure the control panel for the canning line is dry and free of moisture.

Boiler & Glycol System

• Schedule an inspection and water test with a boiler technician.
• Restock boiler water treatment chemicals.
• Flush the condensate system.
• Check control settings and perform necessary tests.
• Inspect glycol lines for leaks or mildew; replace any damaged insulation.
• Use food-grade dye in glycol to detect leaks.
• Check the glycol chiller’s liquid levels and concentration in the reservoir.
• Clean coils and fans to ensure proper cooling.

Safety Equipment

• Recalibrate and inspect PRVs (Pressure Relief Valves), replacing any damaged rupture disks.
• Test chemical showers and eyewash stations; replace disposable eyewash bottles if necessary.
• Inspect PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for damage and replace as needed.

Other Brewery Maintenance

• Dismantle and thoroughly clean draft tap lines.
• Scrub the cooler floor and inspect door seals.
• Keep raw material storage areas tidy and dry, with items stored at least four inches off the ground.
• Deep clean the brewhouse floor and replace worn-out non-slip elements.
• Retouch any damaged flooring as necessary.

Electrical Systems

• Inspect safety signs and test emergency lights.
• Inspect and test all electrical panels and breakers.
• Check wiring for damaged or fraying cords.
• Test all lights and replace any burnt-out bulbs.
• Inspect and test GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters).

Water Systems

• Test water quality to ensure it meets brewing standards.
• Replace the activated charcoal in water filters, if necessary.
• Inspect and clean the water filtration system.
• Check water lines for leaks.
• Flush the hot water tank and inspect temperature sensors.
• Test the municipal water supply backflow and book an inspection if required.

Air Systems

• Inspect and clean air filters.
• Inspect and test the air compressor.
• Check the ventilation system to ensure proper airflow.
• Inspect and service the air dryer.

Safety and Compliance

• Inspect and service fire extinguishers.
• Review and update the brewery’s emergency response plan.
• Review and renew insurance coverage.
• Ensure the brewery’s safety policies and procedures are up to date.
• Inspect and test the fire suppression system.
• Check and renew necessary licenses and permits.

Office and Administrative Tasks

• Organize and archive brewing records.
• Review and update the brewery’s business plan.
• Review and update the brewery’s standard operating procedures for the production schedule.
• Maintain the brewery’s website and social media presence.
• Review and update the brewery’s marketing plan.

General Maintenance and Repairs

• Schedule regular maintenance for all equipment.
• Keep an inventory of spare parts and order replacements as needed.
• Make necessary repairs to keep equipment in good working condition.
• Maintain detailed records of maintenance and repairs for future reference.

Maintaining your brewery is about more than just keeping things running—it’s about protecting your brand, ensuring consistent beer quality, and providing a safe and efficient environment for your staff. By focusing on regular maintenance and cleanliness, you can avoid costly repairs, improve energy efficiency, and impress customers who tour your facility.