Would you rather manually stir the mash yourself, or monitor the brewing process from the comfort of your couch? At Coenco, you decide how much of your brewing process to automate!
Coenco’s brewing systems are custom-built to match the specific needs and preferences of each brewer. This includes not only volume, dimensions, tank configurations, and heating methods but also the degree of automation. Whether you prefer a fully manual brewhouse or a fully automated system, the choice is yours! The table below provides an overview of the automation options, showcasing two common setups: a semi-automatic brewhouse and a fully automated brewhouse.
| Process Step | Semi-Automatic Brewhouse | Fully Automated Brewhouse |
|---|---|---|
| Malt Dosing | Optional | ✓ |
| Mashing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lautering | X | ✓ |
| Boiling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wort Cooling | X | ✓ |
| Transfers | X | ✓ |
| CIP (Cleaning in Place) | X | ✓ |
Below, we’ll briefly explore the different brewing processes that can be automated.
Malt Dosing
After milling, the crushed malt can be collected in a buffer tank. This allows for automated malt dosing at a later stage, scheduled by the brewer, without requiring their presence. The malt can be transferred directly or through Coenco’s specially designed humidifier, which pre-mixes the malt with warm water to prevent clumping during mashing.
Mashing
Coenco’s mash tuns are typically equipped with a heating jacket that supports heating via superheated water or steam. Our automated temperature control ensures precise step mashing, reaching each temperature rest at an optimal rate of 1°C per minute. Additionally, the stirring speed can be adjusted for each temperature phase.
Lautering
By integrating pressure sensors above and below the lauter tun’s false bottom, the lautering process can be fully automated. This includes monitoring flow rates, automatic sparging, and controlled raking of the grain bed—ensuring an optimized, foolproof lautering process.
Boiling
As with mashing, automation ensures precise temperature control during wort boiling, allowing for adjustments from a gentle simmer to a vigorous boil, depending on the brewer’s preference.
Wort Cooling
When transferring wort to the fermentation tanks, automation enables control over cooling speed, final temperature, and water consumption—tailored to the brewer’s specifications.
Transfers
In a semi-automatic setup, the brewer manually operates the valves when transferring wort between tanks (e.g., from the mash tun to the lauter tun or from the lauter tun to the kettle). In a fully automated system, pneumatic valve controls allow these transfers to be executed with a single button press.
CIP (Cleaning in Place)
A fully automated brewhouse includes an integrated CIP system, enabling automated cleaning cycles. This includes dosing caustic and sanitizing agents, cycle programming, and execution—all without the need for operator intervention.
Remote Monitoring
Finally, Coenco’s automation solutions allow you to monitor the brewing process remotely—from anywhere, even your couch!
Interested in brewing automation? Get in touch with Coenco today!