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How the Craft Beer Industry Utilizes Cold Storage
May 15, 2023
The craft beer industry is full of independent brewers developing their own unique flavors and blends. To achieve these precise results, brewers must control every element of the environment the beer and its ingredients are exposed to throughout the process. Temperature is a major concern for many, so cold storage can often be a major benefit to small breweries. Here are some ways this additional refrigerated space can help throughout the brewing and distribution process.
3 Ways Cold Storage Can Help Your Craft Beer Operations
1. Brewing
Certain types of beer, like lagers, need to be brewed in cold temperatures. The cold allows lager yeast to ferment with less concentration, leading to a light, smooth taste. Other styles of beer also use cold storage after fermentation to maintain a hoppy flavor or develop balanced tasting notes.
2. Maintaining Freshness
cold storage
Once brewed, beer can easily become skunked, or lose its taste and freshness, if it is exposed to light. This happens when a chemical compound in the hops reacts with light molecules, and it can happen in as little as 30 seconds if beer is kept in clear glass. It takes longer in beer stored in dark glass. Cold storage keeps beer in a dark location with a consistent temperature to maintain optimal taste. Refrigeration can also limit the risk of bacterial contamination during transit and storage.
3. Keeping Up With Inventory
Many craft brewers have small locations, and brewing equipment takes up significant room. Utilizing off-site cold storage can help brewers store their inventory, so they have the capacity to keep up with customer demand during busy seasons and special events, without the need for complicated construction projects or cramped on-site storage.
The craft beer industry is full of independent brewers developing their own unique flavors and blends. To achieve these precise results, brewers must control every element of the environment the beer and its ingredients are exposed to throughout the process. Temperature is a major concern for many, so cold storage can often be a major benefit to small breweries. Here are some ways this additional refrigerated space can help throughout the brewing and distribution process. 3 Ways Cold Storage Can Help Your Craft Beer Operations 1. Brewing Certain types of beer, like lagers, need to be brewed in cold temperatures. The cold allows lager yeast to ferment with less concentration, leading to a light, smooth taste. Other styles of beer also use cold storage after fermentation to maintain a hoppy flavor or develop balanced tasting notes. 2. Maintaining Freshness cold storage Once brewed, beer can easily become skunked, or lose its taste and freshness, if it is exposed to light. This happens when a chemical compound in the hops reacts with light molecules, and it can happen in as little as 30 seconds if beer is kept in clear glass. It takes longer in beer stored in dark glass. Cold storage keeps beer in a dark location with a consistent temperature to maintain optimal taste. Refrigeration can also limit the risk of bacterial contamination during transit and storage. 3. Keeping Up With Inventory Many craft brewers have small locations, and brewing equipment takes up significant room. Utilizing off-site cold storage can help brewers store their inventory, so they have the capacity to keep up with customer demand during busy seasons and special events, without the need for complicated construction projects or cramped on-site storage.
As a business owner or manager of a facility working with perishable items like food or medicine, it’s important that you understand the capabilities and qualities that mark an effective cold storage facility. Outsourcing the storage of perishable items can be a great way to extend the life of your products and increase profitability. To ensure that you are entrusting your items to a reliable storage provider, take a look at the following factors to look for when seeking a storage partner. What Should a Cold Storage Provider Offer You? 1. Temperature Control Temperature control is one of the most important features to consider in a cold storage facility. Make sure that the facility can maintain a consistent temperature, as this will help preserve the quality of your goods. Additionally, the facility should have an alarm system in place that will alert staff in the event of a malfunction or power outage. 2. Security A secure storage facility is of the utmost importance when storing your valuable items. Look for a facility that has 24/7 security monitoring, along with secure entry and exit points. Additionally, you should be able to easily track and trace your products from start to finish. Automated systems such as RFID scanners and barcode scanners can help streamline the storage and retrieval process, making it easier to track and manage your items. 3. Flexibility When selecting a cold storage facility, it’s important to consider how flexible the facility is. Make sure that the facility can increase or decrease its storage capacity as needed, and that it offers a variety of storage options to accommodate different products. Additionally, the facility should be able to accommodate a range of delivery and pickup times.
Ice cream is a popular summer treat that comes in a variety of flavors and caters to even the pickiest of palates. However, preventing it from melting during transport may prove difficult for those who are unfamiliar with the process. There are several steps that you have to take, such as securing freezer space , to ensure that it remains intact. Here’s a closer look to make it easier to prepare. 3 Tips for Transporting Ice Cream 1. Utilize Refrigerated Trucks Refrigerated trucks are an effective way to keep the ice cream from melting. Their temperatures range from 55 degrees all the way down to 20 degrees below zero, which is plenty cold enough for your products. Drivers will usually have them running an hour or so before the loading begins to ensure that they’re at the appropriate level. Knowing how they’re going to organize the cartons is also key in that it alleviates any confusion and increases the efficiency of the transfer. 2. Secure Freezer Space It’s possible that the ice cream won’t have to ship out all at once. Rather than filling up your personal facility, consider renting freezer space at a public warehouse. These locations offer rooms of varying sizes that can easily house an assortment of products. Each can be set to a specific temperature and will ensure that the food remains fresh. 3. Monitor the Temperature Maintaining a consistent temperature is essential for preserving the condition of the ice cream. Otherwise, it partially melts and develops a sunken appearance. The simplest approach is to partner with experts who are skilled at transporting this particular product. They know how to provide the necessary monitoring and will carefully track the shipment until it reaches its destination.
Cold storage is key for preserving the condition of fresh meat. It maintains a consistent temperature that lowers the risk of bacteria and extends the life span of the product. However, for those who are unfamiliar with this type of mass storage, it can be difficult to determine how best to proceed. Here's what you should know about storing meat to become familiar with the most basic precautions. 4 FAQ About Meat Storage Should the meat be wrapped in anything? Meat that’s left open to the air will develop what is known as freezer burn. It causes ice crystals to form along the surface and alters the flavor of the meat. Wrapping each piece in an airtight package before setting it in the freezer is the easiest way to prevent spoilage. When is the best time to freeze meat? Shortly after picking it up from the butcher shop is the best time to freeze meat. This means that it’s fresh and still contains a good amount of the original juices. While you can store meat for up to a year, using it within the next few months will ensure a quality taste. Do different kinds of meat need different cold storage? This depends on when you’re planning to cook the meat. Chicken, for example, can remain in the refrigerator for approximately two days before it starts to spoil. Beef steaks, on the other hand, will maintain their freshness for about four days in temperatures that are just above freezing. Longer wait times will require a colder climate. What are some food safety tips? When it comes time to cook the meat, make sure to heat it up around a certain range. Poultry is usually finished at 165 degrees, while beef can fluctuate between 130 and 165 degrees. If you’re prepping the meat in advance, keep it in a separate, sealed container to avoid accidental contact with raw materials. Hot food should remain at 140 or above and cold food at 40 degrees or below to reduce the risk of bacteria growth.