Ask The Brewmasters

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Hello Brewing Experts,

I'm see more adverts for Tank Mounted Continuous Fermentation Monitors. I assume the technology is improving? Seems like a reasonable way to cut sampling costs and improve quality. Have any of you installed them in your cellar? Can you comment on your experience? In a brewery with multiple brands, I worry it might be difficult to develop accurate calibration curves? Or that the capital and operating costs exceed savings. Sometimes, in-line meters are frustrating to maintain and trust. On the other hand, robust accurate sensors produce real savings. I'm curious as to the current state of this technology. Are they the future of Cellar QA (i.e. AI interface) or just more paper weights?

Thanks

Absolutely the future. We use Sennos (previous Precision Fermentation) and have loved their tech. On average it saves at least a batch year, let alone an accurate way of tracking fermentation health, and therefore yeast health and longevity. Best feature is their DO absorption at beginning of fermentation, ensures yeast is properly pitched and active. They also have temp monitoring (oops I forgot to turn the glycol on) and pressure reading (blowoff, what blowoff?). We cannot survive without it now.

Pricing is extremely reasonable too. We're a 15bbl Brewhouse hitting just shy of 4000 bbls last year, and with the batch(es) it's saved or assisted over the years it's paid for itself and then some.

I highly recommend.

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Christophe Perdu
Head Brewer
Grand Strand Brewing Co
Myrtle Beach SC
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