Solon Consulting
Brewery Consultant for Startup, Expansion, and Production
A brewery consultant can help you plan a new brewery or expand the one you’re running. Solon’s brewery consulting services cover facility and process design, utilities, equipment selection, controls, commissioning, and production support.
01
Plan a new brewery
Facility layout and startup requirements
02
Expand your brewery
Production capacity and equipment connections
03
Improve brewery production
Troubleshoot problems and choose practical upgrades
brewery consulting services
Brewery Consulting Services for Startup, Expansion, and Production
Small brewery consulting starts with the same practical questions as a larger project: what do you need to produce, and what can the building support? Solon works with owners planning a new brewery, expanding an existing facility, or improving production. Scope depends on the equipment, utilities, budget, schedule, and problems you’re trying to address.
A brewery consultant helps you plan for construction, equipment lead times, and opening day. We bring experience from a production plant we own and run, handling daily production, purchasing, maintenance, and repairs. Solon works with brewery owners on new facilities, expansions, and production problems that need attention.
We work with your architects, engineers, trades, equipment suppliers, and brewery team so equipment and building requirements can be checked together. Bring us the drawings, tank list, production targets, or production problem. Start with a review of the project and the decisions you need to make before buying equipment or committing to construction.
01
Brewery Startup Consultant for Facility and Equipment Planning
Before a building lease or equipment order, check how the brewery will fit and run. A brewery consultant helps define facility, equipment, utility, and startup requirements. Solon supports permitting with licensed professionals where needed. Our beverage development consultants and beer brand services can support product planning separately if you need to start a beer brand.
02
Brewery Expansion and Production Capacity Planning
Adding tanks or a larger brewhouse affects the brewery that’s still producing beer. Solon can review the proposed capacity, equipment, utilities, controls, sanitation requirements, and contractor work before you commit to an expansion.
03
Troubleshooting Brewery Production, Utilities, and Controls
When production slows or equipment keeps giving you trouble, start with what’s happening on the floor. Solon’s operational consulting can examine production limits, utilities, controls, maintenance needs, and work practices to help your team choose practical improvements.
brewery design and startup
Brewery Design Consultants for Equipment, Utilities, Controls, and Commissioning
Brewery design consultants check how equipment, utility loads, floor layout, controls, and cleaning requirements fit together. Solon brings those requirements into the consulting scope before contractor work and equipment purchases are committed. We support facility design, equipment specification, controls, and startup, with installation handled by your contractors.
Check equipment and utility requirements before construction, then confirm them during startup.
A
Brewery Facility Layout and Process Design
Need to fit the brewhouse, tanks, and production work into a building? Solon can develop facility layouts, process flow, and equipment connections, then coordinate with your licensed architects, engineers, trades, equipment suppliers, and permit authorities.
B
Brewery Equipment Specification, Purchasing, and Connections
Tell us what the equipment needs to do and what’s causing problems in production. We supply new equipment packages, used and refurbished equipment, and engineered systems. We also build and program control panels if you need them. Solon doesn’t offer installation.
C
Brewery Utilities, Glycol Cooling, and Sanitary Cleaning Systems
Will the building’s utilities support the brewing process? Solon can review water, electrical supply, HVAC, steam or hot-water demand, drainage, glycol cooling, cleaning, and sanitary connections against the equipment and production requirements.
D
Brewery PLC Programming, HMI Controls, and Production Data
PLC and HMI integration brings equipment controls together. Solon defines control-system design, instruments, programming requirements, and production data. We build and program controls and support commissioning so your team can check equipment operation.
E
Brewery Commissioning, Startup, and Operator Handoff
Before operators take over, check how the equipment runs and what still needs attention. Solon can support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, documentation, and operator training within the agreed scope.
check cost and production risks
Brewery Consultant Checks for Utilities, Equipment, and Production Risks
A brewery consultant helps check risks across equipment and construction contracts: undersized utilities; conflicts in layout, production flow, drainage, and cleaning; equipment that doesn’t fit; and unpriced connection work. Controls, instruments, and production data need attention too. Permits, deliveries, construction, and commissioning affect the schedule. Capacity, downtime, beer consistency, yield, and labor affect production. Documentation, training, handoff, and plans for restarting after a fault belong in the discussion. Bring your brewery project to Solon.
| Decision area | What owners need to resolve |
|---|---|
| Facility and utilities | Production capacity, utility loads, layout, production flow, drains, cleaning, and connections to building systems. |
| Equipment and integration | Equipment fit, controls, instruments, supplier requirements, and unpriced work needed to connect equipment. |
| Operations and production | Production capacity, downtime, beer consistency, yield, labor, documentation, operator training, handoff, and restarting after faults. |
| Project delivery | Licensed design work, permits, supplier tasks, construction timing, commissioning, and approvals needed before work proceeds. |
planning your brewery project
How Solon Plans Brewery Projects With Owners and Project Teams
What brewery decision do you need to make, and what information do you have? A brewery consultant can begin with a facility assessment, a scope-definition call, or a project discussion. We’ll gather drawings, production data, equipment information, constraints, and priorities. Our engineering consulting services define the work, responsibilities, and next decisions in writing.
Start with the brewery decision you need to make and the information available to make it.
01
Agree on the Brewery Project Scope and Decisions
Tell us what the brewery needs to do, what’s limiting the project, and what information you’ve gathered. We’ll clarify the scope, outcome, and next decision.
02
Check Brewery Layout, Utilities, Equipment, and Production
We’ll check layout, utilities, equipment, controls, cleaning, production data, operating limits, and your team’s experience to understand the risks, work that needs attention, and information still missing.
03
Plan Brewery Equipment, Repairs, and the Order of Work
Solon puts the recommended work in order. The plan identifies decisions, required information, responsible people, and the work that needs to happen first so repairs, upgrades, and startup tasks can proceed.
04
Coordinate Brewery Contractors, Commissioning, and Operator Handoff
When project coordination is in scope, commissioning and startup services coordinate your brewery team, suppliers, contractors, and licensed professionals. Solon supports startup, troubleshooting, documentation, and operator handoff so your team can run the equipment with the information it needs.
brewery clients and projects
Brewery Consulting Projects, Startup, and Operating Support
Solon’s brewery clients include Balanced Rock Brewing, Forgtmenot Brewing, and Stay Put Brewing. Our work includes startup facilities, controls and operations, equipment and utility systems, and international support. See more brewery and beverage case studies and brewery consulting testimonials.
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Balanced Rock Brewing: Ground-Up Brewery Startup and Facility Planning
Balanced Rock Brewing is a ground-up brewery startup in The Colony, Texas. Solon supported startup planning and facility execution, including layout, chiller and glycol requirements, drains and sewer, HVAC and boiler scope, controls, commissioning, startup, and operations support.
FMN
Forgtmenot Brewing: Brewery Facility and Operating Support in Greece
Forgtmenot Brewing is a Solon client in Greece. Solon supported the engagement by defining the facility and operating process, with related advisory work.
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Stay Put Brewing: Rooftop Chiller and Glycol-Loop Assessment
Stay Put Brewing is on Rainey Street in Austin. Solon supported the rooftop chiller and glycol-loop assessment, controls, equipment, procurement, and related operating coordination.
consulting cost and budget
How Much Does a Brewery Consultant Cost?
A brewery consultant’s cost depends on the work and information available. The hourly, project-based, and monthly retainer options below describe the pricing models, with a table showing what can raise or lower the price.
Hourly Consulting for Specific Brewery Questions
Need advice on an equipment purchase, licensing question, recipe problem, or technical decision? Hourly consulting can focus on that specific question.
Project-Based Brewery Design and Startup Support
For a defined brewery project, scope can include facility design, permitting support, equipment specification, and project coordination from planning through commissioning.
Monthly Retainer for Brewery Technical and Operating Support
If you need continuing advice as the brewery grows, a monthly retainer can cover business planning, technical questions, and operating support.
What Affects Brewery Consulting Cost?
| Factor | Lower cost | Higher cost |
|---|---|---|
| Project scale | 1 to 3 BBL nano brewery | 30+ BBL production facility |
| Scope of work | Single advisory review | Full design, permitting, and project management |
| Timeline | Flexible multi-month schedule | Compressed fast-track delivery |
| Engineering needs | Operational guidance only | Design drawings and specifications |
| Regulatory complexity | Simple state licensing | Federal TTB plus multi-state compliance |
How to Budget for Brewery Consulting
Put consulting on its own line in your project budget. You’ll want to use it early in planning, while layout, equipment, and utility decisions are still easier to change before purchases and construction begin.
Include consulting in your project financing plan. If you’re preparing to approach a lender, the brewery business plan guide outlines the planning information to gather and organize.
What Brewery Design Consultants Do and What Building Contractors Build
Brewery design consultants define the process layout, equipment requirements, and utility loads contractors need to price their work. Contractors handle construction within their scope. Solon can support design and project coordination, helping you compare bids and discuss changes before costs are committed. We also sell equipment, so consulting and equipment supply responsibilities should be clear in the scope. Solon doesn’t offer installation; licensed professionals provide licensed design and stamped drawings.
choosing a brewery consultant
What to Ask Before Hiring a Brewery Consultant
Comparing brewery consultants? Ask what they’ll deliver, when you need their input, and how they’ll work with equipment suppliers and contractors. Discuss cost, what’s included, and tasks that need licensed professionals. These answers cover common questions and link to more detail on planning and hiring.
When Should I Hire a Consultant for a New Brewery?
Bring in a consultant before layout, equipment, utility, controls, and supplier decisions become expensive to change. An early facility assessment or project discussion can identify missing information, who needs to make each decision, and tasks that require licensed professionals or permit authorities.
Can Solon Help With Brewery Expansion and Automation?
Yes. Solon can review capacity, utilities, equipment, automation, cleaning requirements, downtime limits, and commissioning needs in an operating brewery. The scope should identify what can be checked while production continues and what needs a planned shutdown, equipment supplier input, or licensed work. Continuing support can include beverage plant optimization.
What Should I Check Before Buying Brewery Equipment?
Check required capacity, product and process fit, utility loads, floor loading, space, access, drainage, cleaning, controls, and instruments. Include contractor installation requirements, commissioning, maintenance, spare parts, and ongoing support in the comparison. Solon’s brewery equipment services can help you compare the requirements before you buy.
Does Solon Sell New, Used, and Refurbished Brewery Equipment?
Yes. We sell new equipment packages as a dealer and distributor, used and refurbished equipment, and engineered systems. We can also build and program control panels if you need them. Solon doesn’t offer installation.
How Will Solon Work With My Architects, Engineers, Trades, and Suppliers?
Who supplies each requirement, and who needs it before work can proceed? Solon can define equipment connections, decisions, and responsibilities and coordinate your brewery team, operators, equipment suppliers, contractors, architects, engineers, and permit authorities when those roles are in scope.
What Determines the Cost of Brewery Consulting?
Brewery consultant cost depends on the decision, facility, records available, site work, disciplines involved, and whether the engagement is an assessment, design-support scope, commissioning effort, or longer implementation. Review the brewery consulting services and cost guide for a practical explanation of common scope and pricing factors.
Can Solon Support the Technical Parts of My Brewery Business Plan?
Yes. Solon can support facility and equipment assumptions, project planning, operating inputs, and technical checks for a brewery business plan. The brewery business plan resource gives you more detail on the information to gather and how to organize the plan.
Are Stamped Drawings and Permit Approvals Included in Brewery Consulting?
Solon doesn’t hold PE licenses. Stamped drawings need the appropriate licensed professional, and the authorities decide permit approvals. We can supply process, equipment, and utility information and support your permitting work within the agreed scope.
How Should I Compare Brewery Consultants Before Hiring One?
Ask for relevant brewery work, a clear scope, and specific deliverables. Check what the consultant handles directly, which tasks involve equipment suppliers, and which need licensed professionals. Credentials and permits depend on location and scope. Read how to hire a brewery consultant for more questions when comparing firms.
tell us about your brewery
Talk to a Brewery Consultant About Your Plans
Tell us about the new brewery, expansion, production problem, or equipment decision you’re working on. Solon can begin with a facility assessment, a call to define the scope, or a project discussion. We’ll explain what we can address, what information we need, and where equipment suppliers, licensed professionals, or permit authorities need to take part.