How Beer Brewing Techniques Have Evolved Over Time

Brewing is an old process that has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Many of the core principles have remained the same for such a long time, but the methods and techniques we use to brew beer today would likely baffle brewers of only a few decades ago. This evolution has given us a wider array of brewing methods and so many more new beers to try. Here, we’ll look at how beer brewing techniques have evolved over time.

Automating Difficult Processes

Automation is arguably one of the key ways that beer brewing techniques have evolved over time. Parts of the brewing process that used to take a long time, such as milling grain, are now far quicker and more efficient thanks to automation. The ability to control temperatures or malt grinds through computers allows brewers to be more precise with every step, leading to more consistent and better-tasting beer. This fine control over the brewing process allows brewers to produce more unique beers every day.

Hop Use and Preservation

The introduction of hops is how we got the modern concept of beer we’re all familiar with today. Over the years—and especially more recently—new technologies surrounding how brewers use hops has allowed new brews to flourish.

For years, people tried to improve on the method for preserving hops, but the first major breakthrough was the widespread use of refrigeration as a preservation technique. Pelletization is also one of the newer ways to get the most out of hops, letting brewers determine the kind of vegetation proportion they want.

Complex Canning Machinery

Some people might argue that canning or bottling isn’t technically part of the brewing process, but it plays a hugely important role in the brewing industry. Modern canning machines focus on reducing the amount of oxygen to which the beer is exposed before being sealed. These machines also monitor CO2 levels in beer as well as dissolved oxygen content, which is useful for improving a beer’s shelf life. Advances in this space also gave us new products such as nitrogen-filled cans, which create the ability to distribute extra-creamy, extra-rich beers to a wider audience.

You might also consider technology such as the jacketed Brite tanks we have here at Craftmaster Stainless. They’re your go-to tanks for finishing your beer’s brewing and taking it straight to the tap.