Using Unitanks for Lagering vs. racking

[oldmeckbrew]

We are in the process of setting up a new brewery, and are trying to figure out our tank needs.

Can anyone give me the pros and cons of just using the Unitanks for both primary and secondary fermentation/lagering versus racking to traditional cylindrical "lagering" tanks?

I'm confused?

Thanks,

John

[beertje46]

The only reason I'd rack to an additional tank is if I got a really great deal on the lager tank. Otherwise I'd use uni's.

[Bham Brewer]

I always lager in the uni, never transfer until ready for serving.

[Beersmith]

Alot depends on your brewery set up. I personally prefer using a two tank system: unitank as a fermenter, then to a conditioning tank.

If you are going to have all glycol jacketed tanks, then advantage Unitanks as you can use the Uni's for anything.

If you have sufficient cold room space to accommodate single wall tanks, they can be sourced used for much less than jacketed tanks. Therefore you can acquire more tanks (mix of unitanks and conditioning) for the same cost. Assuming capital is an issue - advantage conditioning/lagering tanks.

More total tanks means a longer conditioning time (better beer IMO), more capacity, greater flexibility with brewing techniques (dry hopping, filtering or not, etc).

Realistically, it all comes down to your brewery setup, the types of beer you produce, and what kind of equipment you can find/afford. Hope that helps!

[Beersmith]

John, after re-reading your post I have something more to add. Are you referring to horizontal lagering tanks? If so, I would stay away from them unless you have a surplus of space and they can be acquired economically. They are such floor space hogs, sooner or later you will look at them and realize you can either produce twice as much beer or condition for twice as long with vertically-oriented cylindroconical tanks - whether jacketed or not.

[beertje46]

John, after re-reading your post I have something more to add. Are you referring to horizontal lagering tanks? If so, I would stay away from them unless you have a surplus of space and they can be acquired economically. They are such floor space hogs, sooner or later you will look at them and realize you can either produce twice as much beer or condition for twice as long with vertically-oriented cylindroconical tanks - whether jacketed or not.
I assumed horizontal tanks as well. When we bought our brewery from the original owner, there were three horizontal, 60+ bbl. Cherry-Burrell tanks. Two had major cracks so I sold for scrap. In the space of the two I removed, I added two 30 bbl. Uni's. We still use the remaining tank for lagering and as a short term holdng tank. I would replace it as well but it is under a huge beam so I can't put a uni. there. It does come in handy, but I wouldn't purchase more.

[oldmeckbrew]

Thanks everyone,

Since we're just getting started, it sounds like we may be better off beginning with uni's only and then consider single-walled conditioning tanks in a cold room if and when we need to grow capacity.

Thanks again,

John