A superior beer requires a perfect combination of barley, hops, malt and yeast. A single miscalculation or mistake can alter the brew’s taste and properties. Therefore, breweries require precise scales to ensure quality and consistency. Here’s what you need to know.

Why breweries need scales

Each type of beer has a unique flavour, colour, international bitterness unit (IBU) and alcohol content (ABV). The tiniest recipe variations can change any one of these attributes. So when a brew is perfected, the precise amount of each ingredient must be logged and adhered to. Breweries measure each ingredient with scales so they can recreate their recipes time and time again. Scales also help breweries determine the quantity of each ingredient to buy, therefore minimizing waste.

How breweries use scales

Breweries use scales at every step of the brewing process to weigh the following:

• Supplies as they arrive

• Ingredients introduced to the brew

• Bottles, cans and kegs as they’re filled

• Shipments before they’re delivered

Which kinds of scales breweries need

Production levels determine which scales are required by a brewery, but all require more than one type. Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing a scale.

• Microbreweries. Brewers creating small, one-off batches or seasonal recipes need a precision balance to measure hops, yeast, spices and other ingredients. Bench scales and floor scales are required for bottling and filling kegs.

• Industrial breweries. Large, international brewers use platform scales for shipping and to weigh big batches of beer. Hopper and tank scales are employed to measure how much barley and/or wheat is needed. In some cases, truck scales are used for shipping goods and receiving large quantities of supplies.

What to look for in a scale No matter what size the brewery is, a scale’s IP rating can’t be ignored. This measurement determines how dust-tight and liquid-resistant a scale’s housing is. Breweries are messy places with plenty of dust, powders and liquid messes. A scale with a high IP rating (i.e. IP67) means you can spray it down without damaging it, allowing you to more easily keep your brewery clean and hygienic.

Why scale certification is a must The Canadian government requires all businesses that sell products by weight to use scales certified by Measurement Canada. Regular inspections and testing ensure the accuracy and integrity of trade measurement.

Commercial and industrial scales in Calgary At Accurate/Western Scale Co. Ltd., we offer a wide selection of industrial scales, including floor scales, forklift scales, checkweighers and more. We also provide customized solutions and scale rental. We distribute certified scales across Alberta, including Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Brooks and Swift Current, SK. To learn more contact us today.