Industries Served
Water Treatment for Michigan Distilleries & Breweries
Overview
Brewing is an art and a science, and at its heart lies water, the most abundant ingredient in beer. From mashing and sparging to cleaning fermentation tanks, high-quality water is an absolute necessity for every brewery.
If you’re seeking expert guidance in managing your brewery’s water needs and getting water that will help you create great tasting beer, turn to American Aqua, based right here in Saline, Michigan. With 50 years of experience in water, we’re uniquely positioned to answer questions about your water requirements and provide valuable insights into both tried-and-true and cutting-edge options for getting high-quality water for your brewing operation.
Our deep knowledge of the specific, often complex municipal and well water profiles found across Michigan—from the hard water of the Great Lakes basin to the varying compositions in Washtenaw County—allows us to tailor solutions that work for the specific challenges facing Michigan’s renowned craft brewing scene.
Quick Take
Precision water treatment is essential to achieve the ideal water profile for your beer, ensure sanitary conditions in your brewery, and make your beer great-tasting. American Aqua can design and build a system that precisely meets the unique demands of your brewing business, whether you are a startup microbrewery or an established regional player.
We can design and build systems that include:
- Carbon filtration: the most common type of filtration in breweries in Southeast Michigan, carbon filtration can dechlorinate water and remove organic compounds that can cause “off-flavors,” ensuring a clean, neutral foundation that allows the natural characteristics of the malt and hops to shine.
- Pre-treatment: Addressing specific Michigan water issues like variable hardness and seasonal changes in source water to protect downstream equipment.
- Membrane Filtration or Reverse Osmosis: Targeting specific contaminants for optimal water quality, creating a blank slate for water profile adjustments, a must for brewers targeting classic European lagers or highly mineral-sensitive styles.
- Ultrafiltration: Ensuring exceptionally pure water for critical brewing stages.
Call us at (734) 429-5070 or fill out our online form to get in touch with us today.
Brewery Water Treatment Applications
Water treatment needs vary widely in the food and beverage industry depending on the application of the water.
From cleaning machinery, to being used in food and beverage products, having clean, high-quality water is essential to all businesses in the food and beverage industry.
Applications include:
- Ingredient mixing
- Drinking water
- Boiler and hot water treatment (Especially critical in Michigan’s climate, where steam is often used for heating and sterilization.)
- Wastewater reduction (A major concern for breweries navigating Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) regulations.)
- Dishwashers and steamers
Since products in this industry are directly consumed by end-consumers, businesses and facilities are held to very high standards of quality. The water leaving many of these facilities must meet state and federal environmental regulations as well, so it must be treated, too.
Water Treatment in the Brewing Industry
Some of the most common treatment methods for brewers are:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): RO Systems are often used by brewers looking to create a “blank slate” water profile. They remove a wide range of dissolved solids, minerals, and contaminants by using a semi-permeable membrane, allowing brewers to then add specific minerals back to achieve the ideal water chemistry for any beer style, from soft lagers to mineral-rich Michigan-style New England IPAs or robust stouts. We specialize in systems that help Michigan brewers precisely emulate famous water profiles while adding their own special touch or flavor to their brews.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Water Treatment: UV treatment effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that could be present in water, without introducing harsh chemicals. This is particularly important for post-filtration water used as an ingredient or for final rinse steps, ensuring microbial stability without impacting the beer’s flavor or aroma. This non-chemical approach is highly valued by craft brewers looking to maintain a great product.
- Commercial Water Filtration (Sediment, Carbon, etc.): Water filtration takes many forms and is typically the first line of defense. Sediment filters remove suspended solids, while carbon filters address chlorine, chloramines, and organic compounds that can create off-flavors in beer. Given the older infrastructure in many cities like Detroit, Lansing, or even localized well water issues near Saline, robust pre-filtration is non-negotiable for protecting the flavor of your mash and the longevity of your equipment. While filtration can’t remove heavy metals or specific mineral ions, it’s an essential pre-treatment step that protects more advanced treatment systems and improves overall water quality.
- Deionization (DI): DI Treatment is common in brewing for specific applications, such as rinsing critical equipment where even trace minerals could interfere with processes or leave water spots. It removes virtually all mineral ions, leaving behind exceptionally good water.
Call Us Today
We’re here to help you decide what water treatment needs your brewery has to create your next award-winning Michigan brew. Call us today at (734) 429-5070 or provide your information below. We look forward to helping you join the ranks of Michigan’s greatest craft brewers!
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