Frequently Asked Questions
Beverage Consulting FAQ
Straight answers about how Solon works: what to send, what an engagement costs, whether we will work alongside your existing vendors, and where to start when you are not sure what the problem actually is.
Scope, Cost, Equipment, and Timing
What should I send before contacting Solon?
Send the project type, any current drawings or scope you have, your equipment assumptions, the symptoms you are seeing, your schedule, and the decision you actually need to make. You do not need a polished brief. A photograph of the problem and a paragraph of context is genuinely enough to start.
Does Solon only work with beverage companies?
No. Solon is a consulting practice: we guide decisions, build the business plan, design the facility and process, handle regulatory work, and represent owners through the build. The automation and controls we design and build are part of how we deliver.
Can Solon work with our existing vendors, contractor, or integrator?
Yes, and this is one of the most common ways Solon is engaged. We hold the owner’s side: clarifying requirements, reviewing scope, supporting testing, and keeping vendors aligned around acceptance criteria everyone has agreed to. Your existing contracts stay in place.
Do you sell equipment?
Yes. We sell new equipment packages as a dealer and distributor, used and refurbished equipment, and engineered systems. We also build and program automation and control panels if you want them.
What does an engagement cost?
It depends entirely on scope, and Solon will tell you the likely range before you commit to anything. Engagements run from a few hours of quote review through a multi-day on-site assessment to full owner-side project management across a construction programme. Small, well-targeted engagements are legitimate and common. Our guide on how to hire a brewery consultant, and how to compare proposals, can help you decide.
How quickly can you start?
For an urgent startup or a project already in trouble, tell us the date you are working against and we will be straight with you about whether we can help in time.
Where do you take on projects?
We’re based in Austin, Texas, and work with clients across the United States and on international projects. Tell us the location, project stage and support needed so we can discuss an appropriate scope.
We are not sure whether our problem is process, controls, or equipment. Where do we start?
Start with the symptom, not the category. Describe what the plant is doing wrong and Solon will work out which discipline it belongs to.
Where to start
Start With the Problem You Have
Early facility planning
You have products, a capacity target, a site, and a deadline. Start with the facility planning guide or facility engineering and design.
A cleaning or sanitation problem
You have cycles, symptoms, procedures, and records. Start with cleaning and sanitation review.
A controls or data problem
You have a system, some PLC, HMI or SCADA context, and symptoms. Start with automation and controls.
An equipment decision
You have quotes, specifications, utilities, and exclusions to sort out. Start with equipment specification and procurement.
A line that will not hold rate
You have throughput, utility, or sanitation symptoms on an operating line. Start with process engineering.
A project already in trouble
You have an open punch list, a slipping startup, or vendors who have stopped cooperating. Start with project management and commissioning.
Ask the Question With the Project Attached
Send what you know and Solon will help you identify the next step.