Brewery Lighting

Any location where perishables are being stored has its own unique lighting considerations. When you add in the delicate nature of brewing blends of sensitive hops and barley for beers and ales into the mix, brewery lighting can seem overwhelming. Whether you are just starting your own small brewery for fun or you are in charge of a larger operation, there are a few lighting aspects you need to consider. Here are a few tips on the matter to help you master this element of your craft.

1. Avoid UV light sources

The biggest thing to remember with any type of brewery lighting is to avoid UV rays. While other locations try to incorporate natural light to cut down on the costs of operating artificial lights all the time, this is not the case for a brewery. You definitely want to eliminate as much natural light with UV rays as possible for the sake of the brew. It is important to discuss the fact that most lighting types from compact fluorescent to LED produce some UV rays during operation. While these fixtures all produce UV rays, they are deemed a small and safe amount when in comparison to the sun’s UV rays so artificial light is most certainly preferable to natural light.

2. Opt for low to no heat emissions

Another matter to consider with brewery lighting is how much heat the light fixture will produce. Certain fixture types, such as incandescent and halogen, can produce high levels of heat which can affect the outcome of your batch. It is important to avoid heat for this area by choosing lower heat emissions such as compact fluorescents or LED to eliminate one more variable in your search for the perfect brew.

3. Choose the right color temperature

When observing the progress of a batch, you will need to be able to easily identify the color without it being drastically affected by the light solution. The way to make sure you get the right outcome in this area is to check the color temperature of any lighting solution you are considering for this location or space. Choosing a warm temperature may make the brew look too dark whereas a light that is too bluish white will make it look lighter than it is, and both outcomes can cause you to mess up the brewing process. The best way to combat this is to choose a more neutral color temperature that leans more towards the white spectrum than the yellow spectrum. For example, a color temperature of around 4000k to 4500k would be ideal.

4. Opt for waterproof fixtures

One way to ensure your fixture lasts for years of reliable use is to choose waterproof fixtures. A fixture that is UL rated for damp or wet locations will last longer for this type of location that deals with a lot of moisture during the brewing process.