I offer consulting services to breweries large and small. We also design, build, install, and startup equalization and pH adjustment systems.
On the consulting side of things, by hiring me you can expect expert knowledge, phone calls, emails, spreadsheets, and drawings (2D electrical and 3D schematics). For most projects I do everything remote, how much time it takes me depends on the complexity of the project. I always give the first hour for free as I get acquainted with your project, then charge $150 per hour for services. I also give proposals and fixed fees if you need that.
Most of my projects have a total fee between $500 and $7000. I invoice on the 15th of the month with net 30 day terms.
For those of you with equipment needs, we typically spec and supply all equipment and recommend us to make the trip to your brewery to install the equipment, do start up, and training. Installation by us is optional, but I’ve learned- the hard way of course- that having a local plumber and electrician install something they’re never seen and don’t know how it works is not a recipe for success. Installation work is also how Brewery Wastewater Design has changed from me to we. Stating the obvious, but Brewery Wastewater Design is insured for those site visits.
Related to the installation work above, a common mistake I have seen in breweries all over is to assign a local contractor or chemical supplier to design and install the wastewater system; someone with little to no experience in this specific field. One specific example is a brewery in the Pacific Northwest who asked their cleaning chemical provider to design the wastewater system at a medium sized production brewery. The brewery bought and installed the equipment as specified and it failed immediately. It turns out the chemical company specified a stainless steel submersible pump in their lift station, but it was a drinking water well pump and could not handle solids. $1000 for that pump down the drain- not to mention poor equipment choices for pH and level control. I wound up designing and installing a retrofit system in to that mess with proven materials for minimal cost. Years later they hired me again for a larger retrofit of this system.
Other areas where I can help are in boilers, cooling towers, spent grain & yeast, cleaning chemical analysis, utility usage, chemical distribution, budget preparation, and safety.
Rest assured that by choosing me to design your brewery wastewater system you will have a first rate system that not only reliably does what you need but also fits your budget.
Email works best for me for the first contact (use the contact form below). Sorry I don’t put my phone number on this site, I had it here and was getting too many phone calls at breakfast and dinner. Thank you very much. John Mercer