How do I check a brewery’s fermentation tanks and glycol chiller condition?

On the tanks, look at the interior surfaces, welds and fittings for scratches, pitting or residue that cleaning does not remove. Ask how each tank is cleaned and tested, and whether any have been repaired or replaced. Check that cooling jackets and temperature probes work as they should. Ask which tanks are used most and which sit idle.

On the chiller, request the service record and ask who maintains it. Ask about past failures, how long they lasted and what product was affected. Check the lines, pumps and insulation, and ask what happens if the chiller stops overnight. Is there a backup, an alarm, or someone on call? Ask for batch temperature records to see whether the system holds steady during busy periods. Hire an independent refrigeration technician and, if possible, someone who knows brewing equipment. Ask what replacement would cost and when it might be needed, and have your accountant factor that into your thinking. Remember that tanks on loan or lease are not part of the sale. Ask the brewer what annoys them most about the equipment. Daily users know where cleaning is awkward, which tank holds temperature poorly and which valve sticks. Those small answers often reveal more than a formal report does.

Key takeaways

• Examine tank interiors, welds and fittings, and ask how each is cleaned.
• Request the chiller’s service history and ask what happens if it fails overnight.
• Confirm which equipment is owned outright, leased or on loan.