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If you’re starting your first brewing/cellaring job (like I did in 2021), it’s critical to have the right equipment. Unlike some purchases that can get in the way of our work and creativity, there are specific brewery items you’ll need to stay safe and be successful:
1) Boots (my personal recommendation is Xtratuf)
Whether you work in a 5bbl or 500bbl brewhouse, you’re going to encounter hot water on a daily basis: puddles on the ground; water gushing out of hoses; splashing as you spray down tanks; etc. Breweries are like fishing vessels on land – water is a common occurrence, and if you don’t have proper footwear, you’ll quickly find yourself going home with soaked shoes or (even worse) burned feet.
At the very least, you’ll want boots that are:
- ankle-high or above
- 100% water resistant
- heat resistant
High-quality boots aren’t always cheap, but they’re absolutely worth it when it comes to the brewery.
Bonus: Custom insoles (I personally use Treadlabs)
Although not mandatory, custom insoles are a killer way to step up your boot game.
As someone who works in a small brewery (15bbl), I still manage to walk over 15k steps per day. You’ll be on your feet regularly, so being comfortable in your boots can help a lot!
2) Utility knife (my daily user is a Milwaukee Flip Utility Knife)
Breweries are full of uses for a utility knife – opening bags of hops and grain, cutting zip-ties, slicing pallet wrapping, etc.
It’s a small tool that gets used regularly, and for me, any time I forget it at home, there’s at least one point in the day where I’m forced to find a subpar alternative.
Deciding between a pocket knife or a utility razor/knife comes down to personal preference; although, I’ve personally found the ability to swap in fresh razors to be more convenient for keeping a sharp blade.
3) Flashlight
Like a utility knife, a flashlight comes in handy all over the brewery. If your mash tun or kettle doesn’t have internal lights, it helps you better evaluate what’s going on. If you’re cleaning a fermentor and want to peek inside, it allows for a clearer view.
Whatever the case, having a high-quality (and preferably waterproof) flashlight is useful for daily work.
4) Work pants/Overalls (a great choice is Carhartt)
Working in a brewery is wet and dirty. Whether you’re getting splashed by yeast and hop sediment, kneeling on damp floors, or performing routine CIPs (clean-in-place), it’s nearly impossible to go home as clean as when you came. The job is full of lifting, bending, kneeling, squatting, and hurriedly running to the kettle as it boils over (oh, is that just me?), so having pants that can stand up to some abuse is helpful and necessary.
There are plenty of great choices on the market – just make sure you find durable materials that can handle heavy use.
5) Stopwatch
On the brew deck, in the cellar, and nearly everywhere in the brewery, timing is key. You’ll need countdowns for hop additions, CIP lengths, vorlauf timing, and more.
This piece of gear can be as simple as using the stopwatch function on your phone, having a smartwatch, or buying a physical stopwatch. No matter which route you take, having a time-keeping device is important.
6) Safety gear
Although typically provided by employers, it’s good to ensure you have the following safety gear:
- Hearing Protection – Mills, centrifuges, air compressors, and other brewery equipment can be incredibly loud; as such, it’s good practice to have hearing protection handy at all times.
- Dust Mask – Typically mill rooms have ventilation, but if you have a respiratory disease or ventilation is poor, a mask made for dust particulate is wise to have.
- Chemical Resistant Gloves – Given the dangerous nature of many brewery chemicals, you want to ensure you wear gloves whenever handling them. Make sure you find a pair rated for the chemicals you’ll be dealing with.
- Safety Glasses – These are important for certain machines as well as for eye protection against chemicals and hot liquids.
Hopefully, your employer provides all necessary PPE, but it’s essential to protect yourself even if they don’t. Safety gear is never comfortable or stylish, but it can be the difference between having a great day or winding up with an injury.
Final thoughts
As you become more comfortable in the brewery, I’m sure you’ll find additional items you’d add to this list, but for now, it should prepare you well for whatever you’ll encounter!
Cheers, and welcome to the industry!