Cooler is a big success at microbrewery

Tranter PHE is experiencing massive success at a pint-sized level with its GC-28 cooler at microbrewery, The Three Rivers in Stockport, Cheshire.

Tranter PHE is experiencing massive success at a pint-sized level with its GC-28 cooler at microbrewery, The Three Rivers in Stockport, Cheshire.

The GC-28 cooling unit was purchased when the brewery started production in 2003 but has recently been extended to handle an increase in output at the site.

The heat exchanger cools "wort" or production liquor to a temperature of 18C using mains water, and simultaneously the heat recovered from the wort is retained by the mains water which then goes to make up the next brew, thus the brewery achieves savings in terms of time and money.

Wort is the liquid achieved when grains and then hops are boiled in water, and the wort has to be cooled from a high of 98C before yeast is added for fermentation.

The optimum temperature for fermentation is 18C and Tranter's GC-28 heat exchanger allows the wort to be cooled to 18C.

This is very close to the inlet temperature of the cooling water, which in summer can be as high as 15C, and other heat exchangers might find it virtually impossible to achieve this cooling performance.

The GC-28 is a completely stainless steel plate heat exchanger, it offers good access for cleaning the heat transfer area, and has good visual impact - an important consideration for small breweries that often open their doors to enthusiastic visitors.

The Three Rivers Brewery, which is named after the three local rivers, the Mersey, Goyt and Tame, produces around ten thousand pints of beer a week.

Mike Hitchens owner of the Three Rivers Brewery commented: "Fast and efficient cooling is crucial when brewing because if the wort is left at a warmer temperature, over time bacteria can develop".

"We bought the GC-28 when we started production but had this extended just prior to Christmas as we increased output".

"I went to Tranter because I've been in the brewing industry for over 20 years and these are the best products I've come across".

"The quality is excellent, the units are robust and easy to clean, the price is competitive and the after sales service is very good too".

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