X
LET'S TALK: 303-765-1295
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Dalkita

Architecture & Construction - Distilled Spirits Plants

  • About
    • Our Portfolio
    • Our Team
    • Our Process
  • Courses
  • Distilling Craft Podcast
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Consult
  • Documents
    • Property Due Diligence Checklist 
    • Distillery Supplies
    • My Account
    • Shopping Cart
You are here: Home / News / Craft Distillery Milling: In-house or Outsource?

Jan 19 2017

Craft Distillery Milling: In-house or Outsource?

© Marilyn Barbone | Dreamstime.com – Grain and Cereal SelectionA craft distillery’s type, source and style of grain for its products is one of the first decisions a distillery makes, and it is a complex and multi-layered decision. Let’s look at the decision from the cost and facility complexity perspectives. The least expensive dollar/pound option for grain, results in more complex – more expensive – facility. Conversely, the more expensive dollar/pound option for grain, results in a less complex – less costly – facility.

The least expensive dollar/pound option for grain, results in more complex – more expensive – facility. Purchasing whole grain and milling (or not) in-house has benefits.

What Milling Can Bring to Your Product:

  • Specialty grains like buckwheat, quinoa (not technically used in a “whiskey”), millet, teff, triticale, fonia, sorghum often only available as whole kernels
  • No flavor loss through processing before arriving at distillery
  • More control over flavor of product
  • More control of the granule size to optimize product yields

The “Dark Side” of Milling In-House:

  • Additional expense in milling equipment and physical facilities
  • More ventilation required
  • Added personnel protection equipment
  • Added housekeeping duties to entire facility
  • Time required to mill grain
  • Consistency from batch to batch – sometimes grind setting will need to be adjusted between deliveries of the same grain dependent upon nitrogen content and dryness
  • Increased energy usage for whole kernels and larger grinds requiring longer mash times
  • Decreased mashing yields using whole kernels and larger grinds
  • Potential over-milling contributes negative characteristics to final product

The more expensive dollar/pound option for grain, results in a less complex – less costly – facility. Purchasing pre-milled, rolled or flaked grain also has benefits.

The Lighter Side of Pre-Milled Grain:

  • Time – Grain arrives at distillery ready for mashing
  • Grain size and easy access to enzymes and starch molecules make mashing quick and easy
  • A level of consistency from batch to batch
  • Lower equipment and facility cost – bulk storage (S1) cheaper to construct than hazardous (H2) occupancy
  • Cleaner – no combustible dust issues
  • Quieter – no additional noise added to production floor
  • Safer – no staff interaction with milling equipment, less risk for accidents

The Negatives of Pre-Milled:

  • Narrower selection of grains to choose from
  • Specialty grains hard to source in a pre-milled form
  • Some flavor loss occurs during processing
  • Less control over flavor profile of final product

There are positives and negatives with each decision. What is the right play for one distillery is not necessarily a good fit for another. Consider what you want to accomplish with your product, process and brand. From a design and construction standpoint – milling grain is for the craftiest of the craft producers among the industry. It may be a no-brainer for the product you are trying to create. Whatever direction you go in – a safe facility is a necessary and achievable goal.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pocket
  • More
  • Print
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Written by Dalkita · Categorized: News

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Dalkita Blog

  • Three Types of Distillery Occupancies Explained January 10, 2023
  • Insulation Code Requirements For Metal Buildings September 20, 2022
  • Dalkita’s latest design and GC project is complete! August 18, 2022
  • FDNY Code is first to address the scale of micro-distilleries August 16, 2022
  • Is bottling required to be an H-3 occupancy? August 8, 2022
  • New Mountain Home Design May 24, 2022

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Footer

Dalkita Newsletter
Sign-up to receive email updates from Dalkita Architecture and Construction.

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Distilling Craft Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • My Shopping Cart Account
  • Careers

Copyright© 2023 Dalkita Construction Inc. · All Rights Reserved · Terms of Service · Privacy Policy

Powered by Accendo Digital