16/04/2026
YoLong Brewtech |
When you're working with a small footprint or trying to keep the initial investment down, it's tempting to look at the piping and think:
"Do I really need all this stainless steel? Can't I just use hoses instead?"
We get it. Space is tight. Welding adds up. Fittings aren't cheap.
So let's break it down: What are the core piping systems in a brewery? Where do hoses make sense, where don't they, and what can you absolutely not compromise on — even in a small setup?
➡️ PIPING
Process Lines
1️⃣Wort lines · Beer/fermentation lines · CIP lines
2️⃣Utility Lines
Steam lines · Compressed air lines · Glycol lines · Hot water lines
3️⃣Other Lines
Drain/waste lines · Gas lines (CO₂, etc.)
Different lines have different requirements—material, temperature, pressure, sanitation. You can't treat them all the same.
❗❗ 3 THINGS WE NEVER COMPROMISE ON
Even with a small system and a tight budget, these areas need hard piping — or at minimum, high-spec hoses that meet the requirements:
1️⃣Hot side recirculation loops
Mash recirculation, whirlpool — anything moving hot liquid through a pump. ➡️ Safety first.
2️⃣Fermenter pressure zones
Pressure vessels need reliable connections.
➡️A leak is a headache. A blow-up is a disaster.
3️⃣Steam lines
If your system runs on steam, this means welded stainless.
➡️No exceptions.
Where hoses end up costing you more⬇️
Not all hoses are the same. Cut corners here, and you'll pay for it later:
✔️Heat resistance — Cheap hoses fail fast at boiling temps (95–100°C / 203–212°F)
✔️Pressure rating — Fermenters need to hold pressure. Underspec your hose, and you'll lose CO₂ and carbonation
✔️Oxygen barrier — Wrong material lets oxygen seep in = oxidation, stale flavors
✔️Lifespan — Hard piping lasts decades. Hoses? Plan to replace every 1–2 years
Of course, hoses have plenty of advantages too✅
1️⃣Tight layouts — No need to design complex hard-pipe angles
2️⃣Lower upfront cost — Less welding, fewer fittings, faster installation
3️⃣Easy manual cleaning — Pull them off, scrub them down — no complicated CIP setup needed
4️⃣For small spaces, the flexibility of hoses is something hard piping just can't match.
Planning your piping layout?
Send us your floor plan, or share your design ideas.
— we'll give you honest, practical advice on where to use hard piping and where hoses are totally fine.
Custom brewery tanks + custom piping systems
Contact us.⬇️😊
🌐://yolongbrewtech.com
📧:[email protected]
