Whiskies, vodkas and gins — from a brewery

How can breweries leverage their existing equipment to distil spirits such as whisky, vodka and gin? Briggs, a sister company of Ziemann Holvrieka, has developed the BrewStillery for this purpose, which has been recently used at a brewery in Texas to produce its own whiskey in addition to beer.

Many beer brewers are broadening their range and are also entering the distilled spirits market with their own products. This is a trend that is becoming increasingly apparent. In the US in particular, distilled beverages such as whisky, vodka and gin are challenging beer’s market share. To support breweries in this process, the UK-based engineering company Briggs of Burton has designed BrewStilleries, an engineered solution that can make it easy for brewers to diversify into distilled spirits. The technology is designed to transform ‘wash’ (fermented wort) or beer into various spirits, making efficient use of existing resources. Production can be flexibly adapted to demand and producers can also develop new flavours. The system can be integrated into existing operations — providing they have the additional space.

The system uses a hybrid distillation process that combines the best of pot and column distillation processes. The traditional pot still technology takes place in copper stills. The copper material, as well as the shape and size of the still, influence the taste, as a large proportion of the sulfur compounds are removed from the spirit during distillation. This can have a positive effect on the aromas.

Depending on the spirit alcohol strength, either the ‘wash’, beer or new make spirit flows through different rectification columns. This allows drinks with a higher alcohol concentration to be produced continuously. Each tray in a column corresponds to a batch distillation step. More trays are required for higher alcohol strengths. The hot steam removes the alcohol and various aromatic substances from the wash at each bubble cap tray in the column. The result is a refined spirit that, after condensation, can be bottled or matured in wooden barrels.

In action in Texas

The US-based Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, has recently installed a Briggs BrewStillery. In addition to beer, the brewery can also use it to produce its own ‘Shine’ (legal Moonshine Whiskey). The distillation process there consists of a copper pot still and series of rectification columns. The brewery and distillery work closely together in the company, with both teams using the same raw materials — malt, yeast and water.

Working together, Briggs of Burton is typically involved in the planning and construction of distillation systems such as this BrewStillery, while Ziemann Holvrieka typically provides the tanks and can support with installation.

Image credits: Briggs of Burton.