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Do you often find yourself cribbing about Lucknow being dead compared to other big cities in India? Are you tried about your friends from Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities boasting about their nightlife? If the answer is yes, now you can proudly strike at least one of the things off from your “Lucknow still lacks” list. Our city may soon get a Microbrewery. The long wait of the young guns and party animals for craft beer is over.

What is a Microbrewery?

For those hearing the term for the first time, a microbrewery or craft brewery is a place where a limited quantity of beer is produced for consumption on its own premises. It aims in quality, flavor, and brewing technique. The beer is freshly produced and it can have a lot of variety. We can brew our own flavors like citrus, mango and much more. This is not possible in bottled beer.

What has changed?

As per the new excise policy of Uttar Pradesh, cities like Ghaziabad, Noida, Agra, and Lucknow may all open the doors to microbreweries. The UP government has finally given the green signal to setting up microbreweries in the state. The government has granted a window to set up microbreweries in the state from April 2019 to March 2020.

Will Lucknowites like Craft Beer?

The demand and popularity of craft beer have seen a huge increase among youngsters. More and more youngsters are opting for freshly brewed craft beer. People of Lucknow are now getting adapted to the fine taste of craft beer.

The bottled beer is like readymade wear, it cannot fit everyone’s taste. While craft is like a custom made a suit, there is always something to suit everyone’s taste.

Unlike bottled beer, craft beer doesn’t contain glycerine and comparatively, the carbon dioxide is less. This makes craft beer healthy too compared to bottled beer.

Lucknowites be ready for change, you are going to soon have the best hangout spot in your town. Rohit Jafa brewing solutions is going to be the best equipment partner for Lucknow’s first microbrewery.

With over 10 year’s lineage, we are the best brewery equipment suppliers in India. With several breweries in Bangalore, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Panchkula, Pune, and Faridabad we have established our legacy. We also have an international project in South Korea.

So, are you ready to cheer with and for craft beer in Lucknow?

Namma Bengaluru!!

Bengaluru, still commonly known as Bangalore is one fast developing city in the world and the 7^th largest city in India. It is the capital of the state of Karnataka. With a pleasant climate all year round, crazy traffic jams, ample greenery, it is one of the biggest tech hubs of India. Though the city is the fourth most populated city in India, and with increasing population levels, Bengaluru is still recognized as the greenest city in India. All credits go to the parks in Bengaluru.

For many Bengaluru is known as the Silicon Valley of India but there is another industry in Bengaluru for which it is famous for. Any guesses?

Bengaluru is famous for craft beer. Yes, it’s true the party capital Bengaluru is famous for craft beer in India. You may have recently seen a forward message in Whatsapp, Facebook or somewhere stating Bengaluru has a total of 52 microbreweries/brewpubs that are operational.  It even turned out to be surprising to note Bengaluru residents, who often go out and are well-informed about the city.

If you analyze the lifestyle of the city, fifty-two brewpubs in Bengaluru is not surprising because Bengaluru has always had a very strong beer drinking culture. The nightlife of Bengaluru has plenty to offer. Comedy nights happen all over the city and beer often turns out to be the perfect companion.

In most of the other big cities in India, people prefer hard liquor over beer. People drown a drink or two at local pubs and then head back home. The situation in Bengaluru turns out to be very different; people enjoy having a casual drink and meeting friends over a nice chilled beer.  This makes the craft beer scene in Bengaluru unique, not only for brewpubs but also for the quality and range of beers available in the market. Beer brewing is a passion here. No other city in India has beers with such high IBU (international bittering units) as found in several places in Bengaluru.

What’s brewing in Bengaluru?

Each year the brewpubs in Bengaluru are increasing. Sarjapur Road in the city is popularly called the “brewepur” due to the presence of a large number of breweries here. Many people who worked in the IT field have left the job and started brewpubs. Leading brewpub equipment suppliers in India like Rohit Jafa make setting up brew plants in the city, easier than ever before.  The capacities range from 300Lt, 500Lt, and 1000Lt. With over ten years of experience, Rohit Jafa is the leading choice for brewers in Bengaluru and we have numerous awards including the title of best pub brewery plant in Gurgaon.

If you have visited a microbrewery in the city before, you would be shocked by the spread of the kitchen. Usually, kitchens accompanying breweries are spread over 5000 sq. Ft with over 70 kitchen staff. It’s estimated that the microbrewer churns out around 20,000 liters of beer every month.

The most amazing part of owning brewpubs is making your own beer is cheaper than buying and reselling spirits.  When we set up the equipment and licenses, we help you manufacture your distinct style of beers.

As the brewpubs in the city are growing in demand, soon the beer culture would spread to other cities in India. By selling 15,000 to 20,000 liters of craft beer a month, you can easily earn 1.25 crore to 2.5 crore rupees per month.

The craft of beer- making

Today, regular pubs in Bengaluru have also started to serve fresh craft beer.  More than 70 pubs in Bengaluru today serve fresh craft beer. In recent times there is a huge rise in demand and curiosity for learning the process of beer brewing.

While the basic manufacturing processes are the same for commercially-produced beer and craft beer, craft beer is generally produced in small batches, making sure the quality is high. The ingredients may change according to the season and essence. Jackfruit beer is one of the most local popular beers in Bengaluru city.

Freshly brewed craft beers are stored in kegs, or barrels in cold and dark places to prevent oxidation. The process of storing beer in basements is also to reduce the unpleasing effects of skunking. It’s a process when hops come in contact with light; it emits a foul and unpleasant odor.

While brewing culture in Bengaluru is sustainable; rainwater harvesting, recycling, and reusing are done as much as possible.  With us, you can equip and make sure your project is sustainable. The yeast used for brewing is not suitable for making another batch of beer. However, we make sure that it is neutralized and denatured and supplied to poultry farms nearby as a feed supplement for farm animals. The spent barley is sent to local dairy farms for fodder. The wooden crates that come along with ingredients are repurposed into furniture.

In a city where the beer is the new coffee, there is a simultaneous increase in home brewing. The community of homebrewers is growing rapidly and there are over a hundred and fifty to two hundred active homebrewers in the city.

Bengaluru runs on Beer

Yep, that’s not an exaggeration!

The increase in brewpubs/ microbrewery clearly states that the beer has made its mark in the city. With many people opening a brewpub, the beer culture is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years. It’s also one of the unique and profitable ventures to start.

San Diego, a famous city in the US, with a population similar to Bengaluru and a culture as vibrant as Bengaluru, has over 200 breweries and brewpubs. When compared to Bengaluru, the numbers in Bengaluru are still low. This leaves a lot of room of growth.

For now, the breweries are churning out a lot of liquid magic, so if you are looking to enter the craft beer industry in the city, this is the best time to do so. Keep calm and get your brew on!

If you are ready to start your own brewery drop us a mail.  You can also ring us at +919920432056. You can visit us in Mumbai, New Delhi or at Bengaluru. For more details, make sure to visit our page.

Beer has slowly become perfect after work date for young India. With increasing economic development, levels of anxiety and stress also have increased in India. People find life hard and look for a partner to share their stress in evenings. Chilled beer is observed to be slowly becoming the primary choice of drink among Indians.

The chilled beer culture is not a modern habit; India’s beer journey began centuries ago going as early as 1500 BC. The early beers were primarily rice-based made with fermented barley and spiced with local spices and fruits. This early beer form is still available in parts of rural India today. However, the majority of modern beer in the country follows the standard beer making process using hops, malted barley, and yeast.

Old is always gold, but what about present India?

According to reports by Business Monitor International, the Indian beer market is expected to see huge growth in 2019 and 2020. On the other side, there are always chances that change in government policies and may oppose the consumption and production of beer. However, experts predict that this won’t be the case going forward.

If we look deep into this, the majority of India’s population are in the age group 20-39. With globalization and western cultural influence, the younger generation favors beer consumption compared to hard alcohol. Also, the economic development achieved by India has made people willing to spend on luxury and leisure, which in turn, has increased nightlife and pub culture in India. There is a change in preferences among Indian beer consumers. They no longer desire large, corporate brands but are going the extra mile to find homegrown craft beers. The growth of craft beer has opened a new channel for growth in the Indian beer market.

A view into the present market

While our population is high at a massive 1.3 billion, the per capita beer consumption is quite low – just 2.6 liters on average per adult. Compare this with other Asian countries like China (where the per capita beer consumption is 50 liters). India is far behind, but the positive news here is that the curve in the graph is going higher and higher each year.

When we look into the present market scenario, the factors which drive growth are:

• The rise in the middle class with disposable incomes – The number of lower-middle-class households continue to fall, while we see a huge rise in the number of upper-middle-class households in the country. With rising disposable incomes Indians especially the younger generations are more likely to spend on alcohol and other luxury expenses.
• Drinking is now Part of Socialising – A few years ago, there were negative stigmas associated with alcohol consumption. That has now changed, and most young Indians see drinking as part of their daily lives. They love to socialize, network and meet up with friends over drinks. This has led to the growth of beer pubs not just in metros but also in upcoming Tier-II cities. Out of the total population of India, millennials make up 33% of the population. You can expect brewers modifying their offerings to attract this crucial customer segment.
• The emergence of pub culture in India: In the age of smartphones, people are exposed to the western world and wish to live them. Evenings in pubs with friends and chilled beer are a great way to unwind, relax and escape the stresses of work.
• Fast-Emerging Craft Beer Culture – The beer culture from developed nations in the West and East is expanding to India. It’s influencing rapid developments in India’s own craft beer culture. Although India’s craft beer Industry is still in its nascent stages, the All India Brewers Association is positive about the growth of the craft beer industry in the country. It predicts that craft breweries will grow by 20% annually.

Let’s have a closer look

The city of Bangalore is not only the garden city of India but also has earned the nickname of India’s pub capital, due to the hundreds of pubs and craft breweries dotting the city. This name was given after the concept of draught beer, (beer served directly from a keg, on tap or cask rather than pre-packaged beer from a can or bottle) was introduced.

Indian beer tastes are different from the rest of the world. Our beers tend to be sweet compared to the bitterness found in beers in other beer-drinking nations like Germany, Belgium, and others. You can notice that Indian lagers have some residual sweetness and have low IBU values compared with beers from the rest of the world.

Like we said the craft beer emergence affected the beer market in India. New Delhi and Pune made Brewpubs door to the public almost a decade ago. Today, you can find craft breweries and brewpubs in several cities across the country like Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Ludhiana, Faridabad, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, and several more.

Other states like Haryana, Goa, Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana all have brewpubs. Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Andhra Pradesh are slotted for microbrewery launches in the next few years. Several brewpubs in Gurgaon, Bangalore, Pune, and other cities sell their in-house beer to other neighboring pubs and nightclubs.

The two main styles of craft beers in India are both ales namely the Belgian Wit and German-style Hefeweizens. It’s no surprise that Indians love these ales since they have low bitterness, with spicy or fruity undernotes. Lighter styles like pilsners and blonde ales are also preferred by Indians.  On the contrary, IPA, Porters, Pale Ales and Stouts don’t enjoy immense popularity.

With that said, there is a lot of experimenting happening in craft breweries in India. Breweries in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Pune, Mumbai, and other cities test new hops and try to expand the Indian palate by introducing craft beers with high IBUs. Additionally, you can find exciting desi flavors using spices, fruits, chocolate, coffee and even flowers making their way into Indian craft breweries. As the leading brewery plant equipment supplier in Karnataka.

Craft beers are not limited to just these states. They have spread all across the country thanks to the availability of beer packaging facilities using kegs, cans, bottles, and barrels. If you are looking to set up a craft brewery in India or want to update your existing brewery, reach out to Rohit Jafa brewing solutions. We deliver high-quality brewery equipment to address all your requirements.

To conclude

India’s beer consumption is certainly undergoing a transition phase but still has a long way (and great potentials) to go before it can catch up with other beer-drinking nations. The sudden change in government policies and licenses always create fear around the industry. There is always the lone chance that certain Indian states may prohibit alcohol, but with increasing demand from consumers of all ages, there is huge hope that beer consumption in the country will surge in the next few years.

Are they the same? Find out now.

You would probably know that a brewery is a place where beer is made. But, then with the rise in craft beers, we hear plenty of new terms like – a microbrewery, nano brewery, brewpub, and more. What do all these terms mean? Is a nano-brewery a smaller microbrewery? Or is there no technical difference between them? Let’s find out now.

What are Microbreweries and Nanobreweries?

Microbrewery: Definition

As the prefix “micro” implies, a microbrewery is smaller than a conventional brewery. The term microbrewery was introduced in the late 70s, to describe these new small brewery houses.

Regular commercial breweries produce gallons and gallons of beer every year. Microbreweries, on the other hand, brew on a much smaller scale. According to the brewery laws in the US, any brewery that manufactures lesser than 15,000 beer barrels every year is classified as a microbrewery.

When compared with commercial breweries that manufacture and distribute on a large scale, microbreweries are limited in their distribution scale. They don’t have a nationwide reach as the big players, but they have a niche audience who are regular customers to their specialty brews and seasonal releases. The beers manufactured by microbreweries are termed as “craft beers.” Hence, sometimes microbreweries are also called as “craft breweries.”

Though the term, microbrewery was initially used to describe small breweries, it has come to mean more than that. Today, it also denotes a specific style and approach to brewing – that emphasizes creativity, experimentation, adaptability, sustainability, and flexibility. Microbreweries are known to push the boundaries when it comes to ingredients, process, flavor, marketing, operation and more.

Nanobrewery: Definition

As you would have guessed from the term, Nanobreweries are smaller than microbreweries, and they produce much lesser beer per annum. Unlike microbreweries, there is no defined number of barrels that distinguishes between a microbrewery and a nano brewery.

Generally, speaking Nanobreweries are small-scale operations, often managed as solo entrepreneurship.

What differentiates Micro and Nano Breweries from Commercial Large-Scale Breweries?

Apart from the volume of beer they manufacture, several other factors differentiate micro and nano breweries from large commercial breweries. These smaller breweries focus on the quality of their beer. Unlike the big players with deep marketing budgets, these breweries depend on word of mouth to highlight their products.

They don’t compete with the bigger national players on the number of barrels sold. Instead, they build a loyal customer base with their unique tastes and flavors. Each beer produced in a micro or nano brewery is carefully crafted with the finest ingredients and is unlike any other beer you can find on the market.

What is a Brewpub?

If a brewery sells directly to the beer consumer, then it’s known as a brewpub. Some states in India allow micro and Nanobreweries to sell directly to customers. In such states, brewery owners open a restaurant or bar, where customers can drink freshly brewed beer from the brewery. Most brewpubs apart from serving in-house beers also serve other accompanying eats from the in-house kitchen.

Most beer connoisseurs love brewpubs because it lends authenticity to the experience. They know that they are drinking freshly made in-house beer that comes directly from the brewery’s storage tanks. Simply put, the customer knows where the craft beer is coming from.

Additionally, some Indian states allow brewpubs to sell their produce off-site. Brewpubs transport their produce to other restaurants nearby using kegs, and the beer is served in these restaurants on tap. Some brewpubs even sell their produce in bottles and cans.

Take a look at the various microbreweries, nanobreweries, and brewpubs we have helped in setting up all across the country. We have helped passionate craft brewers set up the best pub brewery plants in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Chandigarh, Panchkula, Ludhiana, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru.

If you are thinking about opening a microbrewery, nano-brewery or brewpub in India, reach out to Rohit Jafa and team. With years of experience in the craft brewing industry and dozens of successfully completed projects under our belt, we are the leading brewpub equipment suppliers in India. We help you find the best beer manufacturing equipment at the most competitive rates on the market.

Give us a ring today and make your entrepreneurial dreams come true!

The last few years have seen the rapid rise of beer connoisseurs in India. With more and more beer dipsomaniacs looking to taste freshly crafted beer, microbreweries have opened up all over the country. If you are a beer lover, who is exploring the options of setting up a microbrewery in your city, you have stumbled on the right page.

Here, in this post, we take you through the A-Zs of microbreweries in India – what it costs, the licenses required and much more.

Microbrewery: The Basics

A microbrewery (also known as craft brewery) is a small beer manufacturing unit that produces small amounts of beer in a batch. Microbreweries are independently owned, and they cater to a niche audience. Microbreweries distinguish themselves from large scale corporate breweries based on the quality, brewing techniques, the flavour of the brews and more.

A microbrewery may or may not have a packaging facility. Generally, microbreweries sell brews on premise using mugs or pitchers filled directly from the tap. In India, microbreweries are allowed to keg their beer for sale in other nearby bars and pubs. Kegging is the process where freshly brewed beer is filled in pressurized and insulated vessels known as kegs.

Bars purchase these kegs from microbrewers at wholesale rates and sell them at retail prices in their premises. Bars require the right dispensing setup to sell craft beer in their premises. Apart from retail sales, keg sales play an important role in the overall revenues of microbreweries.

Apart from kegging, microbreweries in India are also selling craft beer in cans and bottles.

Microbrewing Opportunities in India

The concept of microbreweries was introduced in India way back in 2006 -07. But, due to stringent laws, it didn’t really take off till the 2010s. As per 2018 studies, it was found out there are over hundreds of microbreweries operating in India in 2018, and many more are set to open in the country, in the next few years.

Microbreweries have been growing at a rapid rate of 22-30% per annum. The industry is just getting started, and there are plenty of profitable opportunities for microbrewers, as the popularity of craft brews keep on rising.

With more state governments relaxing norms and issuing licenses to operate microbreweries (Delhi recently granted permission for the operation of microbreweries). With the right machinery and business planning, you can easily set up a beer manufacturing plant in India and run it successfully.

Things to Consider before Starting a Microbrewery in India

Contrary to popular belief, starting a microbrewery is not capital intensive. You can easily set up a 300-litre capacity beer plant with Rohit Jafa Brewing Solutions. Our team help you every step of the way, providing you with quality beer brewing equipment, procuring the required licenses and more.

Here are a few factors to consider before setting up a microbrewery in India:

• Do market research – analyse the size of your target market, and its purchasing power.
• Identify the different kinds of beers popular in your target market and list styles that are currently available.
• Analyse the various income groups in your target market, their preferred price ranges and more.
• Find out about the permitted trade practices, distributive techniques, restrictions, preferences — regulatory requirements, product approvals, local approvals, etc.
• Choose an ideal location for your brewpub.
• Choose the type of business organization that is suitable like a partnership, proprietary concern, private ltd or ltd company.
• Develop a detailed business plan with financial inputs.
• Identify potential competitors and figure out how your business will stand out from the crowd.
• Develop a detailed marketing plan.

The Next Crucial Step: Business Compliance for Microbreweries in India

Before you set up your business, you have to apply for and avail several permissions and licenses. The required licensing varies from state to state. So, make sure to check your state laws carefully, before you begin. If you need help, you can contact us, to know more about the licensing requirements for your state.

Usually, it’s the state excise department that issues the license for brewpubs and microbreweries. The average price of this license is 25,000/- INR per month, but it varies from state to state. Apart from the brewery license, you also have to obtain a bar license. Here are the other common licenses and permissions that you require:

• Land registration or lease sanction
• Commercial water line – for underground bore water or municipality water
• Commercial electricity line
• Wastewater disposal certificate from the pollution control board
• Company registration certificate
• Water quality testing certificate from quality control labs
• Quality Control certificate of finished beer from the government

Required Microbrewery Machinery & Equipment

If you already own a hotel or restaurant, you can start the brewpub within your premises itself. Alternatively, you can rent or purchase stand-alone land for setting up the brewpub. Here are some of the major microbrewery equipment that you need:

• Mashing Kettles and Turns
• Lauter Turns and Fermenters
• Refrigeration Machine
• Electric Cabinet with all Controls
• Beer Filters
• Physical Heat Exchangers
• Boilers
• Serving System
• Distribution Tanks

While purchasing beer equipment, always choose reliable suppliers. Make sure to check the reviews of previous customers, before choosing a supplier. Get the detailed equipment list and go through the physical and technical specifications of the machinery to evaluate whether it’s of standard quality.

Here, at Rohit Jafa Brewing Solutions, we help our clients source the best microbrewery equipment in India. We source our equipment from the best manufacturers in China, Germany, and other specialized equipment manufacturers.

As our tenth anniversary offer, we are offering the best ever prices on our entire range of microbrewery equipment. At the most affordable beer plant machinery cost in India, you can make your microbrewery dreams come true with Rohit Jafa and team. Get in touch with us today, to avail this limited time offer.

Delhites have reason to rejoice. You can now enjoy craft beers, right in your beloved city. Recently, the city government announced that under the Master Plan for 2021, restaurants, clubs and hotels can setup microbreweries on their campus.

What’s the Current Scenario?

Up until now, pubs, hotels, restaurants, and clubs in Delhi could not apply for a microbrewery license. Hence, they were not able to brew beer for commercial consumption. And, Delhiites had to travel to nearby cities in the extended NCR like Gurgaon to taste exotic lagers, IPAs, and other craft beer concoctions.

What’s changed?

The Delhi governing authority made changes to the microbrewery permissions in September of last year. This was pending for approval by the center, and now the central government has finally approved it, allowing microbreweries to be set up in the capital city for the first time.

Microbreweries in the city will be allowed to brew a maximum of 500 liters per day and must have set up professional wastewater treatment plants on site. Additionally, microbreweries must comply with no objection certificates and must hold other required licenses.

The Long Struggle for Microbreweries in Delhi

The DDA (Delhi Development Authority) had invited public opinions, suggestions, and objections last September for modifications and changes to the Master Plan for Delhi for 2021.  One proposal was to allow setting up microbreweries within the city limit.

This proposal was received during the DDA meeting lead by LG Anil Baijal on 7^th September 2018. Objections and other suggestions were subsequently discussed on the DDA meeting held on 28^th November 2018.

Back in 2015, the Delhi government has cleared a proposal for setting up microbreweries in the city. But, the proposal could not proceed further, since brewing was included in the list of prohibited industries under the Delhi Master Plan.

Following the modifications to the master plan, the DDA has finally given the nod to microbreweries in the city.

Micro-brewing Scenarios in the Nearby States

Barring Delhi, several nearby states have a vibrant and thriving microbrewery culture. Haryana has recently seen plenty of microbreweries opening due to the increasing demand from customers for fresh, authentic craft beers.

Another neighboring state, Uttar Pradesh recently relaxed its limits on microbreweries. Delhi was losing out revenue from microbreweries, as customers moved to Noida, Gurgaon and other nearby cities for a taste of fresh beer.

What does the new proposal mean to Delhi?

The clearance will go a long way in promoting tourism and improving the nightlife of the city. Additionally, restaurant owners believe that this will give a boost to the real estate and will encourage experiential drinking among Delhi’s pub-goers.

It’s expected that around 20 – 30 microbreweries will open in the city before the end of the year and industry experts predict that Delhi’s craft brewing scene will increase by 25% every year.

Gurgaon has around 44 microbreweries. Delhi which is 5x bigger in size and has a significantly higher population presents an incredible opportunity for young entrepreneurs looking to enter the industry.

Are you looking to get a license for a microbrewery in Delhi? Just get in touch with our team, who handle the A-Z of setting up microbreweries in the capital city. Right from scouting the best locations, procuring the required licenses to sourcing the best beer brewing equipment – we help you each step of the process.

When we think of Belgium, we are reminded of Smurfs, Tintin, chocolates, Hercule Poirot and of course, Belgian style brews.

With that said, while Belgian-style beers have a huge fan following, sadly, they are often brewed wrong. Under-hopped, under-attenuated, under-carbonated, too sweet, too spicy, too boozy, there are plenty of ways you can get it wrong.

Here, in today’s post, we’ve rounded up the top 5 tips from master brewers to help you nail your Belgian-style brews perfectly.

Lock up your spice cabinet

Great Belgian beers generally aren’t spiced. Yes, it’s true that some of the most famous beers from Belgium have a dash of coriander and other spices. But, with that said, most of Belgium’s beers are left unspiced.

If you really must add spice – say for brewing a traditional Hoegaarden-style Witbier, then go easy on the spice. Remember, to start with a teeny-tiny pinch of the spice. The idea for adding spice to a Belgian-style brew is to add complexity. You don’t want to make your brew end up tasting like the spice you have added.

Use Hops according to the Style

This is a complete article by itself. Here, we try to keep the hoppy topic as brief as possible.

The history of hops in Belgian-style brews is a long and complicated one. For a brief time in history, between the end of the Second World War and the start of the Cold War, many speciality brews in Belgium were strong and sweet, so as to distinguish them from the popular lagers. But, then with the introduction of the craft beer movement, hops began to make an entry. In fact, several Belgian-brews today are quite hoppy.

So, when working with Belgian-style brews, don’t go overboard with the hops. Instead, embrace hops judiciously based on the particular beer style, you are brewing.

Mashing Matters

This is another topic that could fill an entire textbook, and covering it in depth is beyond the scope of this article. We’ll try to keep it brief and concise.

To begin with, Belgian brews use multi-step mashes. Yes, mashing is an elaborate multi-step process. Ok, let’s back up that a bit. Think back to some of the best Belgian ales you tasted over the years. Think of that pillowy foam head that looks thick like a stiff whipped meringue. Try to imagine the body of the beer that had consistent carbonation throughout.

Generally, while brewing, you mash all your beers at a single temperature. When you follow this procedure, you miss out on the signature head retention and the full-mouth feel of the body. In fact, a nice head is a must for Belgian beer drinkers and hence, this multi-step mashing.

Don’t hold back on Carbonation

Here, we have to mention two important points. First, Belgian ales are mostly bottle conditioned, and carbonation is not forced. Bottle conditioning is a unique process that impacts the mouthfeel, an appearance of the beer while creating complex flavours. Additionally, when you bottle condition beer, it has a longer shelf life.

The second factor to consider here is plenty of sharp little bubbles. Belgian ales generally are highly carbonated, which impacts both presentation and mouthfeel. Most Belgian style beers have carbonation volumes well over 3.0. (With such high levels of carbonation, it makes sense to invest in thicker bottles for Belgian ales).

Yeast doesn’t play a Huge Role as You Imagine it to Be

Very often, brewers rely too much on yeast to work its magic while brewing Belgian-style beers. They obsess over yeast strains, pour over online yeast catalogues to pick the right yeast strain. Brewers believe that they can achieve a particular style of beer by using yeast from that place. Sorry to break the bubble, just because you use a “Belgian” style yeast strain, it doesn’t automatically make your beer Belgian.

So, apart from focusing on the yeast, you have to follow the other tips mentioned above to get perfect Belgian style brews.

If you’re trying to replicate some of the popular Belgian brews, here are a few key stats to help you out:

Orval

Mash Schedule:

• 61◦C (142◦F) for 15 minutes
• 72◦C (162◦F) for 30 minutes
• 77◦C (170◦F) for 10 minutes

Followed by sparging at 77◦C (170◦F)

Carbonation: 5.0 Volumes

IBU: 38

Tripel

Mash Schedule:

• 53◦C (127◦F) for 20 minutes
• 63◦C (145◦F) for 20 minutes
• 68◦C (154◦F) for 10 minutes

Followed by sparging at 80◦C (176◦F)

Carbonation: 4.3 Volumes

IBU: 53

Saison Dupont

Mash Schedule:

• 45◦C (113◦F)

Gradually raise it to 72◦C (162◦F) for over 90 minutes

Carbonation: 3.5 Volumes

IBU: 32

Hope these five tips gear you in the right direction while brewing Belgian ales. And, remember for the best beers (including Belgian style brews), you need the right equipment. And, for sourcing, the best beer brewing equipment in India, imported from the best overseas manufacturers reach out to our team by stating your requirements.

Last week, we published an article on how to troubleshoot the common off-flavours in your beer. In that post, we covered the common flavour faults that can occur in your brews. In today’s post, we discuss other related brewing concepts that will help you brew better.

Beer Flavour is an Incredibly Complex Subject

Take the case of Hops. Hops alone have over 500 flavour compounds, all of which undergo complex transformations during fermentation, brewing, and ageing. Adding to this are the flavours of malts, yeasts, adjuncts and even the water you use for brewing.

The result – you have a complex cocktail of endless aromas and tastes.

Not to forget – the perception of beer flavours. A flavour that appeals to you may not be your friend’s cup of tea and vice versa. Studies indicate that the human tongue is capable of distinguishing over a trillion different flavours.

All this makes fine-tuning beer flavours a complex and highly challenging endeavour. But, then brewers like us love a challenge, ain’t we? Here, in today’s post, we show you the science behind beer flavours so that you can easily spot off-flavours.

Flaws in Recipe Design

When there is an imbalance in the ingredients used it causes an off flavour. Here are some of the common recipe flaws that could lead to unwanted flavours in your brew.

• Malt-Hop Balance

Malt is the main ingredient that is responsible for the body and sweetness of your beer. Hops, on the other hand, add to the bitterness. You need to ensure that malts and hops are balanced. This balance varies from one style of beer to another. For instance, an IPA is bitterer compared to English ales and a Pilsner. Using brewing software to calculate the bitterness ratio, gravity points, and IBU will help you get the malt-hop balance right.

• Colour and Clarity

The colour and clarity are two main elements that are critical in delivering a high-quality beer. Use the Morey Equation to determine the final colour of your beer accurately. Finings and general good brewing techniques will ensure that the clarity of your beer is appropriate to the style.

• Carbonation

Just like colour and clarity, achieving the perfect carbonation is essential. The right levels of carbonation help in improving the perception of body and flavour. A flat beer or over-carbonation can ruin even the best of beer styles.

• Ingredient and Flavour Selection

Using the wrong combination of ingredients or choosing the wrong proportions can lead to off-flavours in your brew. One of the common mistakes made by beginner brewers is using too many conflicting ingredients. For instance, using speciality malts, caramel, and roasted malts all in the same brew can lead to flavours that don’t go well together.

Alternatively, you may be using the wrong ingredients for a particular beer style. When selecting ingredients for brewing don’t sacrifice simplicity. Make sure that each ingredient you use serves a specific purpose and don’t add ingredients just because they sound exotic or fancy.

• Brewing Techniques

The technique you use plays a crucial role in determining the body, flavour, and appearance of your brews. Using the right techniques along with the right recipe and the right ingredients is the way to perfect-tasting beers. With that said, the opposite is also true. A wrong technique even when you have the right ingredients and the right recipe could lead to disasters.

These are the main elements that impact the flavour of your brew.

Off-Flavour Terms that You Should Know

Why Should You Learn to Recognise Off-Flavours?

As a brewer, you need to master basic recipe design concepts and techniques, while identifying off-flavours so that you can improve your brewing skills over time. To become a better brewer, there are two factors to focus on:

1. Become a Better Beer Evaluator

Start by using every opportunity that comes your way to critically analyze different brews – both yours and beers by others. Whenever possible, go out on a beer tasting with experienced brewers. This helps you form opinions while listening to the opinions and preferences of others. Only when you evaluate beers without any prejudices, you can work on identifying off-flavours and improving them.

2. Brew your Recipes more than Once

You have created a new, innovative beer recipe. Before you make it commercially available, try recreating the brew more than once. After each time you brew it, critically evaluate it. Identify improvements that can be made and note changes that you take to make it better. Only by repeatedly crafting a recipe, you can perfect it. You can overcome your flaws and get rid of off-flavours.

Becoming a Better Brewer

The first step in becoming a better brewer is being able to identify what’s wrong with your own beer. You need to spot the off-flavours and flaws in your brews, to improve your output. As mentioned above, try to critically evaluate your beer, and if you’ve got difficulties with that, enlist the help of other fellow brewers to help you out.

And, remember that for high-quality brews, you need the best beer plant design in India. For the best brewing equipment in India, reach out to our experienced team. Right from helping you choose the best beer plant machinery cost in India for your specific needs. Installing and setting the brewing equipment, we help you every step of the process.