Portland Kettle Works (“PKW”) has introduced the KB-135 BoochMaster kombucha brewing system, a compact all-in-one steeping and fermentation system for kombucha brewing. The KB-135 bridges the gap between ad-hoc home brew batch kombucha brewing and high-volume production kombucha brewing systems. Designed as a low entry cost system for boutique kombucha brewers, the KB-135 base system produces 135 liters / 35 gallons of kombucha per week. Upgrades and accessories can then be added to the base system as required to expand capacity to 3,800 liters / 1,000 gallons of kombucha per week.
Meeting An Expanding Need
“We’ve been actively involved in kombucha brewing for some time,” stated Thad Fisco, President of Portland Kettle Works, a world leading manufacturer of high-tech stainless craft brewing and beverage systems. “Our KB-600 Boochmaster was the first large kombucha production system designed specifically to meet the needs of the kombucha brewing market.”
“However, as a result of working with clients, we learned that there is a large “boutique” kombucha brewing market for which the KB-600 is overkill. As a result, we’ve developed the KB-135, a highly capable kombucha brewing system designed specifically for smaller operations. The KB-135 has a low entry cost and it can be expanded as the kombucha brewer’s business grows. In fact, if their volume increases sufficiently, we’ll buy back the entire KB-135 system and credit it toward the purchase of a full sized KB-600 production system.”
Small In Size, Powerful and Efficient In Operation
The PKW KB-135 brings “big system” features to boutique kombucha brewing. Now even the smallest kombucha brewers can produce batch after batch of consistently great kombucha while taking advantage of state-of-the-art production features including:
- Precise, highly-efficient, and intuitive operation
- State-of-the-art HMI (Human Machine Interface) control panel for precise control.
- Optional agitation mixer on all steeping tanks
- Floor level height platform – no decks or manways required
- Skid-mounted design for ease of installation
- Modular, expandable design
- Both 1 and 2-vessel systems
- Integrated clean-in-place (CIP) sanitary facilities in every tank (requires 3.5 BBL or larger tanks).
- Precise volume, flow, and temperature control reduces drift and allow for repeatable recipe performance
- Optional pH detection and control allows the brewer to automate pH regulation during fermentation
- A range of production capacities, scalable to any size business
PKW’s large craft brewing systems have become the craft beer industry standard, and they are used to innovate recipes and deliver repeatable results for award-winning craft breweries, large and small, worldwide. Now we’re using that experience to bring efficient, effective kombucha brewing to thousands of boutique kombucha breweries at a never before seen low cost.
The KB-135, KB-135 upgrades and expansions and the KB-600 are all in production now.
Terry Bunch
Raymond
