Special Open Tub Tanks for Fermenting Process at Brouwersnös

The Challenge

Brouwersnös, founded in 2018, wanted to brew specialty beers according to a centuries old method of open fermentation. This is a very laborious method of fermentation. At the end of the fermentation process, the brewer scoops the layer of yeast off the beer using
a big spoon. In order to brew using this method, special open tub tanks would be needed. Since this is an uncommon brewing method, the tanks are not common either. Brouwersnös reached out to Mueller to see if they had the skill to make this specialized equipment.

The Solution

In December of 2016 Jos Oostendorp, one of the owners of Brouwersnös, spoke with Menko van Gorkum and René Spekschoor (Sales Engineer) about their brewing needs for the first time. Together they looked at the brewing process and started designing with the Mueller engineer team.

The Results

The ultramodern brewery contains three small propagation tanks, three large open tub tanks and nine large closed fermentation tanks. These are all specially made by Mueller for Brouwersnös.

Brouwersnös is already selling its specialty beers in the regions Twente and de Achterhoek and also developed a beer for the famous Michelin-star restaurant De Librije. Jos: “The beers are supposed to be sold all across the Netherlands soon.” The brewers are currently making eleven types of beer.

What’s even more exceptional is the fact that the beer in Groenlo is being fermented three times, says Jos. “The first fermentation is the aforementioned traditional top fermentation in open fermentations tubs. This way intense aromas are created. After this step the fermentation takes place in closed tanks where the beer is enriched using natural carbon dioxide. This creates the beautiful foam head. Lastly the beer is refermented in bottles which keep the beer fresh and full of taste for a longer time.