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Optimizing cellar space and installation flexibility are major considerations when creating or expanding a craft brewery.
Rather than multiplying individual connections and undertaking heavy engineering work for each new tank, fermentation skids offer a global and modular approach.
These compact fermentation units integrate the tank, thermal regulation, and piping network into a single Plug & Play structure.
Whether you are looking for a mobile conditioning solution or a fully autonomous unit, explore our complete range of professional fermenters and cellar equipment.
1. What is a fermentation skid and what are its advantages?
A “skid” brings together all the control elements required for optimal fermentation:
- Instant Plug & Play installation: Delivered with all components included, a skid simply requires an electrical connection and a supply of coolant (glycol water) to be immediately operational.
- Space savings and modularity: Designed to minimize floor footprint, skid units allow you to organize your fermentation cellar more efficiently and easily move tanks using a pallet jack or casters depending on production needs.
- Integrated thermal and pressure control: The skid directly groups temperature‑control components, glycol regulation solenoid valves, probes, and transfer manifolds (CIP, CO2, wort).
2. Choosing your skid configuration according to your production goals
Depending on the stage of the process or the type of beers produced, different skid and tank configurations exist to equip your cellar:
- Atmospheric fermentation skids (Stainless steel or PET): Designed for classic primary fermentation. Ideal for startup breweries or small test batches seeking a compact and economical solution.
- Isobaric fermentation skids (Pressurizable conical tanks): Allow fermentation under pressure, natural carbonation (spunding), and oxygen‑free transfers. An essential tool for lagers, hop‑forward ales, and closed‑loop transfers.
- Conditioning and service skids (Brite Tanks): Mobile units for clarification, cold conditioning (cold crash), and forced carbonation before packaging (bottles, cans, kegs).
3. Comparison table: Which type of tank should you integrate into your cellar installation?
| Fermenter / Skid Type | Pressure Range | Thermal Control | Main Brewery Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Stainless / PET Fermenters | 0 bar (Atmospheric pressure) | Cold room or cooling jacket | Standard primary fermentation, beers with bottle refermentation. |
| Isobaric Conical Tanks | Up to 1.5 to 3.0 bar | Integrated double glycol jacket | Fermentation under pressure, yeast harvesting, natural carbonation. |
| Brite Tanks / Service Tanks | Isobaric (up to 3.0 bar) | Integrated double glycol jacket | Cold conditioning, clarification, carbonation adjustment, and direct serving. |
Rolling Beers Technical Team Insight
Plan ahead for the scalability of your cooling‑regulation network! Adopting skid‑mounted fermenters greatly simplifies piping management in your brewery. However, make sure to size your cooling unit (glycol chiller) with sufficient thermal reserve to support the future addition of new skids. Also ensure you always keep a stock of spare parts and sanitary seals for fermenters (safety valves, Tri‑Clamp gaskets, sampling valves) to maintain perfect sealing during CIP cycles and pressure increases!