Packaging
Lichers showcase brewhouse officially inaugurated
Monday 04. May 2009 - On 23 April 2009, the privately owned Licher Brewery ceremonially inaugurated its new showcase brewhouse from Krones. The most prominent figure among the guests was Hesses Prime Minister Roland Koch, who personally attended the official inauguration, thus underlining the importance attached to this "brewery from the heart of the countryside".
The brewerys Managing Director, Dr. Ulrich Peters, also welcomed the management of the Bitburger Brewing Group, which has owned the Licher Brewery since 2004. Plus, of course, numerous guests of honour from the surrounding region, Krones Director Christoph Klenk, and senior staff from the brewery itself.
In a turnkey order, Krones had supplied the Licher Brewery with a new brewhouse capable of producing 475 hl of hot cast wort from 11 brews a day. The new brewhouse replaces two older, more energy-intensive brewing lines, and features state-of-the-art brewhouse technology, with two ShakesBeer mashing systems, a Pegasus lauter tun, a Stromboli internal boiler system, a classical whirlpool, plus the requisite peripherals, like a buffer tank, a hops supply, a CIP system, an energy storage system and a water house.
The use of an energy storage system for heat recovery, plus ultra-efficient, optimised processes for sustainable management of energy and raw materials, ensure up-to-the-future consumption figures and operating costs. The quality of the entire job is manifested in the technology, and the consummate workmanship, thanks not least to all the kit being manufactured in Germany, in line with the corporate commitment to excellence espoused by both Krones and the Licher Brewery. Besides maximised efficiency for raw material usage and energy consumption, the Licher Brewery also attached major importance to visual design. A large window reveals the showcase brewhouses operator control level, while a visitors platform inside the brewhouse offers a panoramic view. The new brewhouse is part of a long-term investment programme at this facility.
Excellent advance planning by the Bitburger Brewing Group and the Licher Brewery, underpinned by prudent, responsible time-scheduling, were crucial to a successful job. After all, no matter how intensive the planning is, a new structure in an existing historic building is always going to be a tough challenge. Close cooperation between Bitburger/Licher and Krones was thus the key to a shared success.