Imagine a situation where, during beer fermentation, the temperature in the tank exceeds the recommended value. Even a short deviation from the optimal parameters can affect the process and the final quality of the product. In such situations, quick response is crucial, but you can’t always be on-site. In this case study, we will show how a craft brewery implemented a remote control and monitoring system that enables engineers to supervise the brewing process remotely, respond instantly to temperature issues, and minimize the risk of production losses and downtime. Read on to discover how IoT technology can automate and streamline your daily work in the brewing industry!
Our client is a craft brewery that brews beers inspired by traditional Basque recipes. The owners wanted to maintain stable technological parameters to ensure that every batch of beer met the quality standards typical of industrial-scale brewing. The biggest challenge was that employees could not continuously check the condition of the machines or monitor production parameters when they were off-site. This made it difficult to react quickly to breakdowns or deviations from the required standards. Additionally, they needed a simple alarm system with SMS notifications that would immediately alert them to any issues during the beer production process. A technical challenge was also the integration of the new solution with the existing machines and infrastructure in the brewery—without interrupting ongoing production.
The brewery we have been cooperating with for years already had our resistive temperature sensors installed, monitoring key stages of production – including mash heating, wort boiling, cooling, and fermentation. Data from these sensors was collected locally by the JUMO mTRON T PLC controller, which managed the entire brewing process. This controller executed pre-programmed technological sequences, controlled temperatures, managed heating and cooling processes, and monitored limit values, ensuring stability and repeatability for every batch of beer.
Although the local system worked efficiently, the brewery owners also needed remote access to real-time data and the ability to control the process from anywhere. To meet this need, we implemented an additional IoT gateway – the JUMO variTRON IoT Gateway. The variTRON IoT Gateway receives process data from the existing mTRON T system and then transmits it via an LTE router to the JUMO Cloud IoT platform. Thanks to this solution, engineers and technical staff can conveniently monitor the brewing process and respond instantly to any irregularities using a smartphone, tablet, or internet-connected computer. This integration enabled remote automation of the brewing process, significantly improving comfort, safety, and operational efficiency.
With the implementation of the SCADA Cloud system, the brewery’s automation was enhanced with remote monitoring and real-time control of technological parameters. Engineers can now oversee the production process from anywhere, respond quickly to potential issues, and keep all parameters at optimal levels—without the need for constant on-site presence. In practice, this results in fewer downtimes, more consistent beer quality, and a significant improvement in the overall safety of the production process.
Additionally, the solution makes it easy to connect other devices, such as mTRON T PLC controllers, liquid analyzers, or AQUIS touch PID controllers, to the JUMO Cloud platform. By using the variTRON controller as an IoT gateway, key process information can be accessed instantly from any internet-connected device.
My name is Ewelina Szmit and I have been involved in content marketing for several years, combining my professional skills with my passion for writing. I am convinced that even the most technical topics can be presented in an interesting and accessible way for everyone. Outside of work, I express my creativity by creating collages from newspaper clippings. I like to spend my free time actively, walking my dog or running.
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