Beer Distribution
Increasingly, beer distributors of all sizes are recognizing the key role that technology plays in the future of the beer industry and the competitive advantage that technology brings into their operation. Distributors have begun using technology to increase productivity levels and lower costs for forecasting, delivery, warehousing and payment.
A majority of beer distributors engage in electronic funds transfer (EFT), utilize their suppliers Web sites, take advantage of portable data collection terminals and employ vehicle-based portable computers. Others use hand-held scanners with their retail trading partners and have implemented global positioning systems (GPS).
Staying ahead of technology advancements and trends is a challenge and vital for survival in today’s competitive marketplace.
Beer Creation
Technology has also revolutionized craft beer production; allowing brewers greater efficiencies than they’d ever imagined. For example, Redhook Brewing built an East Coast facility that produces three craft beer brands. That’s brewing operations for 17 different beers that needs to be scheduled and coordinated. Thanks to advances in computer technology, what was once barely managed insanity is now smoothly running efficiency.
Every recipe and brewing process is programmed into a computer operating system, allowing for greater efficiency with ingredients and better overall production time. Just outside the production chamber is a small office filled with computers and large screen monitors. It’s there that every segment of the brewing process is observed and scrutinized. Each monitor can bring up a real time diagram of what is happening in each vat, how much time remains for each cycle, and other information about the brewing process.
With the adoption of technology, Redhook now generates 1000 kegs a day and their keg and bottling lines run around the clock. This embrace of technology is a blueprint for the future that’s increasingly being implemented by craft brewers across America.