Ever wondered what goes into a commercial craft brewery setup compared to homebrewing? In this video, we take a deep dive into Ambush Brewing’s system, covering everything from efficiency, equipment differences, and how large breweries maximise production.

⚖️ Homebrew vs. Commercial Brewing – Key Differences

Breweries like Ambush Brewing use three-vessel systems, similar to many home setups, but scaled up for greater efficiency. Key differences include:

✅ Gravity-fed vs. Pump Systems – While homebrewers often rely on gravity to transfer wort, commercial setups use pumps to improve efficiency and minimise oxygen exposure.
✅ Gas vs. Electric Heating – Homebrewers may use high-pressure gas burners, while breweries tend to use electric elements for precise temperature control.
✅ Bigger Batch Sizes – While a homebrewer may make 20-50L per batch, a small commercial brewery produces hundreds of litres per brew.

📊 Efficiency & Cost-Saving in Brewing

Brewing efficiency is crucial for commercial setups to minimise costs and maximise yield. Here’s why:

🔹 Efficiency in Brewing Terms – This refers to how much of the fermentable sugars are extracted from the grain. Commercial breweries often achieve 80-90% efficiency, whereas homebrewers may only reach 70-80%.
🔹 Bigger Systems = More Control – Features like sparging, whirlpools, and false bottoms help extract more sugar while reducing waste.
🔹 The Role of Adjunct Sugars – Many large-scale breweries add sugars like glucose and sucrose to boost alcohol content while reducing costs, but this can also dilute flavour.

🍻 The Reality of Mass-Produced Beer

Many big beer brands use techniques to keep costs low and appeal to mainstream drinkers:

⚡ Adjunct Sugars – Adding sugar before fermentation increases alcohol while keeping the body light.
⚡ Hop Extracts – Instead of whole hop cones, large breweries use hop extracts for efficiency, though this can reduce hop aroma and flavour.
⚡ Why Aussies Love Lagers – Australian drinking culture leans towards light, refreshing lagers, making brands like Great Northern and Carlton Dry hugely popular.

However, craft breweries like Ambush focus on all-grain brewing, using traditional methods to create bold, flavourful beers.

🔥 The Future of Independent Brewing

With the rise of craft beer, more Australians are embracing IPAs, Pale Ales, and experimental styles. While mainstream lagers dominate, independent breweries continue to push boundaries with exciting, full-flavoured brews.

Would you rather drink a crisp lager on a hot day or a hoppy IPA? Let us know in the comments!

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