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» Production » Brewery Equipment » Malt Handling

Malt Handling

All aspects of malt handling in the brewhouse

Is a Wet Mill Right for your Brewery? A Chat with Scott Shirley at Lawson’s Finest Liquids

posted Nov 1st, 2022 by Andy Crouch

Wet milling remains one of those topics that brewers discuss but rarely encounter in the wild. Once solely the province of the largest craft brewers, in more recent years wet mills have become slightly more common but remain unusual to find in a smaller craft brewery.

In contrast to dry milling, wet mills steep malt in a continuous stream of warm water to allow the grain’s moisture level to rise to a set mark, usually 15 to 20 percent. When a wet mill’s rollers grind the malt, the grain’s husk remains intact and doesn’t fragment. This significantly reduces the amount of dust and debris created and allows for faster run-off time and more loading of the lauter tun. The downsides, beyond cost, include additional cleaning of the mill and its rollers along with an increase in the time required to mill the malt.

We recently spoke with Scott Shirley, the Director of Brewing Operations at Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Vermont, to learn more about his brewery’s experience with a wet mill and hear what advice he has for brewers considering one.

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Malt processing & QC

posted Nov 7th, 2016 by Stan Hieronymus

Malt cleaning
Prior to milling it is highly recommended that malt undergo a cleaning process including a magnet to take out iron/metal materials.

Malt cleaning or polishing machine can be oscillating sieve type machine with aspiration to remove the dust particles and dirt. Some older machines are equipped with soft brushes.

When wet mills or malt conditioning systems are in use it is necessary to use a malt-cleaning machine. A de-stoner is also recommended which typically is combined with the malt-cleaning machine. When buying in bulk this is especially a concern. Typically bagged malt will be cleaned prior to bagging, but bulk malt can have small debris or pebbles that can damage the mill. Powerful rare earth magnets will collect this matter, attracting metal bits and attracting the iron in pebbles.

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Malt transporting

posted Nov 7th, 2016 by Stan Hieronymus

Malt conveyance:
For transportation of grains like Barley and Malt there are a variety of different systems available. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages and need to be considered carefully according to budget and the task at hand.

Common Methods

Flex Augers: This is a very versatile, the least expensive option, and widely used method. These can convey horizontally and at up to 60 degree incline. Rates and overall length limitations are adequate for most breweries. Properly designed and installed systems cause minimal breakage and provide acceptable service life.

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Malt storage

posted Nov 7th, 2016 by Stan Hieronymus

Storage of malt on-site:
Malt has a low moisture content of around 3.5% – 5% and is therefore a relatively stable product. Typically regular 2-row malt can last 4 to 6 month (or even longer), darker malts or caramel malts are more sensitive especially as far as aroma thereof is concerned. The shelf life for the latter malts should be less than 3 months between 6 – 8 weeks would be optimal. In general malt needs to be stored dry without the possibility of moisture or water uptake; additional aeration, particular cooling or heating for malt (storage) should not be necessary.

Furthermore malt and the malt storage area should be kept clean, dry and free of dust particles on a regular basis. Rodents or other pests and insects should be kept away.

Bags / Bulk Bags – Should never be stored directly on floor. Placing on a pallet and/or on a rack is desired. Partially used bags should be placed in sealed container.

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Malt handling introduction

posted Nov 7th, 2016 by Stan Hieronymus

Every brewery should have a plan for what they’d like their malt handling flow to look like. There are many aspects to consider and a perfect solution isn’t always easy to come by. Malt handling and all that it entails is often times underestimated and often problems arise due to lack of proper planning and consideration. It is in the best interest of a brewery to find an optimal solution for their malt handling needs.

Here you will find information about:
• Malt supply chain and purchasing of malt
• Malt delivery & receiving.
• Storage of malt at the brewery
• Malt and / or grist transporting.
• Weighing of malt and /or grist.
• Milling (Processing)
• Quality control from receipt of malt through mash

Malt Supply Chain:
Proper inventory control, supply chain management and scheduling ensure that a brewery doesn’t run out of any malt and hence can brew all beers according to schedule. The brewery should also consider economy of scale and inventory and it’s effect on cash flow. Grain cost is volume dependent and order size should be based on projected requirements to maximize savings. Inventory should be kept at levels to ensure malt is fresh.
The critical factors here are how much malt can or should be held in inventory at the brewery, malt producer lead time for delivery, how much storage capacity is available, how many different malt varieties are in use, what varieties are the most sensible ones.
This needs to be handled individually by each brewery depending on the needs.

Read more...

Before you purchase a malt silo

posted Sep 23rd, 2014 by Stan Hieronymus

Malt-handling isn’t such a back-breaker when you have a silo and a good delivery system

by George Manset

Brewing may seem to be synonymous with heavy lifting unless a practical malt storage (read that silo) and efficient conveying system is part of the brewhouse. Without bulk storage and automatic handling, brewers may be destined to lift more than 100,000 pounds of bagged grain a year. But a properly designed silo (besides saving your back) can provide many economic benefits. Bulk storage shortens the overall brewing process, simplifies malt handling automation, and reduces the cost of malt. If you’re planning a microbrewery or considering an expansion, the following checklist will aid you in designing a silo for your needs.

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