On The Boards
A new project features a micro distillery and cozy tasting room. Inspired by the “brown bars” of Amsterdam, the tasting room will feature rich interiors and unique indirect lighting.
Dalkita guest appearance on Mile High Bourbon Podcast
Scott Moore with Dalkita architecture has appeared on the latest episode of A Colorado Craft Podcast. We discuss what goes into designing a distillery, some of the projects that have stood out over his career, and more! Check out the podcast on on YouTube or on Spotify/Apple/GoodPods etc. https://milehighbourbon.com/ https://www.instagram.com/milehighbourbon https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBourbonRye/about
Window sprinklers, water curtains, sprinkler protected glazing: What is the difference
Window sprinklers and water curtains are similar in appearance, but quite different. A water curtain is used in an exterior wall that is required to have up to a 1hr fire rating based on FSD (Fire Separation Distance). They include roughly adding standard sprinkler heads at 6′ on center, 6″ from the wall. Adding the water curtain allows for unlimited openings […]
Distillery Layouts- Flow, Adjacencies, and Views
Dalkita has been designing distilleries for over 10 years. We have identified these main aspects to look out when laying out a distillery. Process Flow The most important consideration when layout out the distillery is that the process flows in a sensible manner. The typical flow / order for a distillery is: 1. Receiving2. Milling3. […]
Emergency & Fire Alarms in Distilleries
This post provides an overview of the alarm requirements in a distillery, when the apply, and how they apply. This article is based on 2018 IBC & IFC. When do alarms apply? Alarms come into play when a distillery is designated as an H occupancy. This occurs when the MAQ (maximum allowable quantity) of 240 […]
Un-sprinklered, Detached Barrel Storage Buildings
NFPA 30 (2015 edition mentioned here), the “Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code” Offers a route for buildings containing large volumes of flammable liquid to be non – sprinklered. Normally, when exceeding the MAQ’s of 120 gallons, sprinklers would be required, but chapter 13 of NFPA 30 provides an exception to allow for an unprotected (non […]
2021 Codes and Barrel Storage
As mentioned in a previous post, there were some major changes to the 2021 and new codes affecting distilleries. One of these major changes were how barrel storage is classified and treated. IFC Chapter 40 2021 IFC (International Fire Code) added a whole new chapter 40 , Storage of Distilled spirits and wines. The chapter […]
Significant 2021 Code Changes Affecting Distilleries
The 2021 and newer editions of the IBC (International Building Code) involved major changes affecting the design of distilleries. Jurisdictions adopt different editions at varying times. Many jurisdictions are still utilizing 2018 and earlier codes, but in the coming years, most jurisdictions will begin to adopt 2021 and newer editions. Check with your location jurisdiction […]
The Permitting Process
Here we will cover cover the general processes that go on when getting a building permit for a new building or remodel. While every jurisdiction will have their own specific ways of permitting, there are many similarities that seem to span across many different places. Zoning Review Most jurisdictions have zoning rules. Some areas will […]
Distillery Wastewater & BOD’s
The majority of liquid waste from a distillery is stillage/ spent wash: the leftover liquid after a still run, mostly water. Wastewater districts typically have rules and regulations stating what, and how much of different materials they will accept in their system. Every locality is different, so contact your local wastewater treatment authority to find […]
Allowable Areas Of Buildings
Building Codes (IBC) sets limits of building areas, heights, and stories based on how fire restive the building is. Why It Matters When a new tenant or owner of a building comes in and wants to change the occupancy of all or part of the building, it is incumbent on them to make sure that […]
Static Electricity In Distilleries
What is Static Electricity? stat·ic e·lec·tric·i·ty (noun) a stationary electric charge, typically produced by friction, that causes sparks. The Basics: -The world is made of atoms -Atoms have electrons protons and neutrons -Protons and neutrons are held tightly to the nucleus of the atom. -Electrons are loosely connected to atoms and can easily move to […]
How To Write A Distiller’s Process Description
What is a distillers process description? This is a written document that clearly describes every step of the process that is involved with making your product. From delivery methods through bottling, it details each step so that someone who may be unfamiliar with the distilling industry (i.e. a fire or building code official) can quickly […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 018
Slow As Molasses w/ Coty Edwards from Hidden Stills Spirits – Lebannon, PA Distilling Craft: Slow as Molasses by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Molasses fermentation is discussed along with tips for buying and storing it. Coty Edwards with Hidden Still Spirits in Lebanon, PA is interviewed […]
Prohibition On Flammable Liquids In Plastic Totes
What Are IBC Plastic Totes and what is prohibited from being stored in them? If you’ve been to a few distilleries, you might have seen these around: Large plastic IBC (intermediate bulk container) totes. IBC totes are lightweight, come in a variety of sizes (often seen in 275 gallons or more), and are affordable. They […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 017
Rye, Matey! w/ Campbell Morrissey from Mother Road Brewing Co. – Flagstaff, AZ Distilling Craft: Rye, Matey! by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Rye mashing, milling, and fermentation are discussed to finish up the grain portion of the fermentation series. Campbell Morrissey of Mother Road Brewing is […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 016
Apple a Day w/ Colin Keegan & Noya Gilmore from Santa Fe Spirits in NM Distilling Craft: Apple A Day by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Distilling Craft Podcast Episode 16Apple fermentation is discussed including different sources and the treatment of freshly picked apples to get […]
Important Considerations for a Design of Boiler Rooms in Distilleries
example of a steam boiler used in a distillery Location, Location, Location Ideally, the location of a boiler room in your distillery wants to be as close to the equipment that it is serving as possible. In general, this means as close to your still and fermenters as possible. This is meant to minimize the […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 015
Yum! Candy Corn with Mike Reppucci of Sons of Liberty Spirits Company Distilling Craft: Yum! Candy Corn by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode of Distilling Craft corn fermentation and mashing are reviewed with techniques to reduce mash viscosity. Mike Reppucci from Sons of […]
Secondary Containment
What is Secondary Containment? Secondary containment requirements are found in the International Fire Code, a model code that is extensively used throughout the U.S. for safe building design and function. Most jurisdictions in the U.S. adopt this code as law, with some jurisdictions adopting a variation of it. For the purpose of distilleries, high proof […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 014
Amber Waves with Chad Butters from Eight Oak Craft Distillery – New Tripoli, PA Distilling Craft: Amber Waves by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode various aspects of using wheat as a fermentation base are discussed including selecting the grain, milling and mashing. Chad Butters […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 013
My Lucky Barley with Dylan Mobley from Bottle Logic Brewery in Anaheim, CA Distilling Craft: My Lucky Barley by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we talk about Barley and what to look for in selecting the variety you use for fermentation. Dylan Mobley […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 012
Breakin’ Chains with Ryan Hembree from Skip Rock Distillers in Snohomish, WA Distilling Craft: Breakin’ Chains by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we talk about different sources of sugar and how they change between different fermentation base materials. Ryan Hembree from Skip Rock […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 010
The Proof You Need with Adam Spiegel from Sonoma County Distilling Co. Distilling Craft: The Proof You Need by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we are talking about proofing and gauging spirits as well as the sources of error in your measurement and […]
Distilling Craft: Ep 007
You Only Still Twice with Chip Tate Distilling Craft: You Only Still Twice by Dalkita Architecture & Construction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. In this episode, we are talking about custom still design and more info on pot stills. Later in the podcast, I bring in Chip Tate of Tate […]