As the penetration rate of craft beer in the catering industry continues to rise, more and more catering practitioners hope to improve their competitiveness by introducing craft beer equipment. However, equipment selection involves multiple considerations, such as technology, cost, and operation. Tiantai’s editor provides systematic suggestions for entrepreneurs from the perspectives of industry trends, equipment selection, cost control, and operation strategies.
Industry trends and market opportunities
Consumers’ pursuit of beer quality has shifted from “quantity” to “quality”. Craft beer has become the “social currency” of catering scenes with its mellow taste and natural ingredients. Data shows that in China, the online sales of tea-flavored beer increased fivefold year-on-year in 2024, and mung bean-flavored fresh beer became a hot product in the summer, highlighting the market potential of personalized craft beer. Each brewery can develop special beer models based on local ingredients to cater to the healthy and differentiated consumption trend.
Key elements of equipment selection
Clearly define demand
Equipment type: According to the catering scene, choose commercial equipment (such as bars and restaurants) or industrial equipment (large breweries). Commercial equipment is usually divided by batch output (such as 500L-2000L), which needs to match the site area and customer flow.
Number of beers: In the initial stage, it is recommended to promote 2-3 popular categories (such as IPA, wheat beer), which can be gradually expanded in the later stage to reduce inventory pressure.
Equipment performance
Material and craftsmanship: Food-grade stainless steel equipment is preferred, which is corrosion-resistant and easy to clean (Tiantai’s equipment uses high-quality stainless steel plates, which are acid-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and resistant to long-term high-temperature conditions, with reliable and guaranteed quality.)
Automation level: Intelligent equipment can reduce manual intervention, such as temperature control systems and fermentation monitoring modules, and improve the stability of beer output. (Tiantai’s automated control system can precisely control temperature, time, liquid level, pressure, stirring speed, pump speed, conductivity, pH value, wort concentration, etc., which can replace traditional manual operations, improve brewing stability, and save labor costs. It can more scientifically and effectively ensure the stability of beer quality.)
Energy consumption and environmental protection: In line with national environmental protection standards, energy-saving equipment can reduce the long-term operating costs of breweries/bars and pubs.
Supplier Selection
On-site inspection: Evaluate the manufacturer’s production scale, technical strength, and case experience, and give priority to suppliers that provide customized services. If you need to know more about Tiantai’s production and manufacturing base, you can contact us at any time. Tiantai will arrange professional service personnel to take you on an on-site visit.
After-sales service: Ensure that the terms of equipment maintenance, parts replacement, technical support, etc, are clear. (In the field of brewing equipment, Tiantai has always been known for its sound after-sales system.)
Cost Control and Return on Investment
Initial investment budget
The price of equipment ranges from hundreds of thousands to millions, depending on the capacity and function of the equipment. Tiantai recommends that you reserve 10%-15% of the budget for spare parts and store emergency.
Optimize operating costs
Reasonably plan the layout of equipment. For bars and pubs with smaller areas, horizontal fermentation tanks can be selected to save space, or the “front shop and back factory” model can be combined to enhance the experience. Breweries can establish long-term cooperation with high-quality malt and hop suppliers and purchase in bulk to reduce costs.
Pricing strategy
The price of a single cup of craft beer is usually 2-3 times that of industrial beer, which needs to be adjusted following local consumption levels, such as launching a “tasting package” to attract new customers.
The purchase of craft beer equipment is not only a hardware investment but also a comprehensive test of brand positioning and operational capabilities. Entrepreneurs need to combine their resources, balance short-term costs and long-term benefits, and occupy a place in the fiercely competitive market through advantageous products and drinking experiences.
