Day Patterns¶
FUERST WIACEK Version 1.1 | What an actual production day looks like
This page documents what actually happens on each weekday in the brewery, in roughly the order tasks are checked off. Patterns shift depending on staff, demand, and tank availability — these are the typical baselines.
Each task links to the responsible SOP where one exists. Tasks marked SOP gap don't yet have one — see todo.md for the running list.
Samples below are extracted from week 9 / 2026 (23–27 Feb 2026), with an alternative Monday comparison from 13 April 2026.
Weekly Brew Rhythm¶
The typical production week is 6 brews → 6 separate batches → 6 fermentation tanks filled. Each brew goes into its own tank.
Sometimes the mix is different — for example 3 single brews + 1 double brew (paired A + B into the same tank) = 5 brews into 4 tanks. The schedule depends on demand, recipe size, and tank availability.
The 6-singles week is the highest-workload pattern.
| Day | Brews (typical) | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | 0 | Packaging day (Up-con T2). Up to ~5 cans + 5 kegs. |
| Tue | 1 | Single brew (V2 — day mash-in ~10 AM) |
| Wed | 2 | One night brew (V1 mash-in ~4 AM) + one day brew (V2 ~10 AM) |
| Thu | 2 | Same — night + day |
| Fri | 1 | Single brew (V1 — night mash-in ~4 AM) + end-of-week CIPs |
Single vs paired (A / B) brews¶
When two brews go into the same tank, they're labeled XXX A and XXX B:
Ais the first brew of the pair (afternoon).Bis the second brew of the pair (mashed in automatically the next morning at ~4 AM afterA).
This is the double brew scenario — the same tank receives both worts, doubling the batch volume to 36–48 hl.
When the brew is single, no A/B suffix is used, or only A appears with no following B. Each single brew gets its own tank.
Tank filled count varies week to week¶
| Week shape | Brews | Tanks filled | Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 singles | 6 | 6 | High (typical) |
| 4 singles + 1 double | 6 | 5 | Slightly lower CIP / harvest load |
| 3 singles + 1 double | 5 | 4 | Lower |
| 2 doubles + 2 singles | 6 | 4 | CIP-light, big batches |
Sample week (week 9 / 2026 — observed)¶
This week looks like a mix — three batches with A + B pairings (649, 650, 651), so 6 brews into 3 tanks.
| Day | Brews | Tank |
|---|---|---|
| Tue 24 | 649 A | FV 17 (CIP'd same morning after Mon packaging) |
| Wed 25 | 649 B + 650 A | 649 B → FV 17; 650 A → FV 18 (CIP started Tue, finished Wed) |
| Thu 26 | 650 B + 651 A | 650 B → FV 18; 651 A → FV 1 (CIP'd Wed evening) |
| Fri 27 | 651 B | 651 B → FV 1 |
Tanks filled this week: 3 (FV 17, FV 18, FV 1). FV 7, 13, 19 are mid-fermentation/conditioning. FV 3, 5, 6, 15 are in carbonation/conditioning awaiting next packaging.
In a 6-singles week the same brew slots above would each fill a separate tank (6 tanks instead of 3).
Monday — Packaging Day¶
Anchored by CIP Tank 2 (canning line + cellar). Multiple cans + kegs in one shift. End-of-day cleanup. No brewing.
Morning — startup¶
| # | Task | SOP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start Steam | Steam Generator — Weekly Manual Start |
| 2 | Dump Water Steam | Steam Generator — Monday Hotwell Dump & Condensate Flush |
| 3 | Dump Condensate | Empty the condensate fridge bucket into the drain — no SOP |
| 4 | Flush Shower | Weekly Recurring Tasks — Safety Shower & Eyewash — run for ~10 s to flush stale water |
| 5 | Up Con T2 | CIP Up-Concentration — Tank 2 |
| 6 | Check CO₂ on tanks scheduled for packaging today | Haffmans |
| 7 | CIP Canning Line | Canning Line CIP |
| 8 | ATP swab after CIP | (referenced in Tank CIP / no formal canning ATP SOP) |
| 9 | Steri Canning Line | Canning Line CIP — sanitisation |
| 10 | CIP Kegger | Kegger Line CIP |
Mid-day — packaging runs¶
Cans run first, then kegs. Cans require a full tank for stable canning-line pressure and head-space management — emptying a tank with cans first risks fill-level drift and DO pickup at the bottom of the tank. Kegs handle the residual better.
| Order | Task | SOP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Can FV X (one or more tanks) | Canning Line Operation |
| 2 | Keg FV X (typically the same tanks, residual after cans) | KeyKeg Filling |
Volume varies week to week. Sample weeks observed: 5 cans + 5 kegs (Feb 23) vs 3 cans + 3 kegs (Apr 13).
Squeezed in during packaging gaps:
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Prep Chemical Baths | Chemical Baths |
| Dump Cone — dry-hopped tanks | Cone Dumping |
| Spund FV X — set spund pressure per stage | Spund Settings |
Afternoon — foam down¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Canning Line Foam Down | Canning Foam Down |
End of day¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| CIP Canning Line EOD | Canning Line CIP — EOD variant |
| Plato on active tanks | Fermentation Monitoring |
| Check FVs (Temp, Waterlock, HP) | Fermentation Monitoring |
| Check Bottles FG — read fast ferment test bottles | Fast Ferment Test |
| VDK on tanks at FG | VDK Check |
| Dump Cone (if not done mid-day) | Cone Dumping |
| General cleanup | — |
Tuesday — Brew + Harvest + Prep (open new pair)¶
Anchored by CIP Tank 1. Single brew (the new pair's A) plus prep for tomorrow's B. Often combined with yeast harvest and reharvest pitch.
Morning — utilities + lab + monitoring¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Up Con T1 | CIP Up-Concentration — Tank 1 |
| Plato on active tanks | Fermentation Monitoring |
| Drop Trub (carry-over from yesterday if needed) | Cone Dumping |
| Check FVs | Fermentation Monitoring |
| Check Bottles FG — read fast ferment test bottles | Fast Ferment Test |
| pH / P / CO₂ → Cans (yesterday's packaged QC) | Post-Packaging QC |
| VDK on tanks at FG | VDK Check |
| Bubble (carbonation) — multi-tank parallel | Carbonation — note: SOP doesn't address multi-tank scheduling |
| PA Aeration (first brew of week) | PAA Aeration Line Sanitation |
Tank flip — same day¶
A tank packaged Mon gets CIP'd and refilled with new wort Tue:
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| CIP FV X | Fermentation Tank CIP |
| CIP WW FV X | Wortway CIP — pre-knockout setup |
Brew (A of the new pair)¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Brew # XXX A | Brew Day Execution — V2 (day mash-in ~10 AM) |
| Load Malt / Add Mash Salt / Prep Additions XXX A | Malt · Mash · Boil/WP |
| Steri WW XXX A | Wortway CIP — sanitisation at boil |
Yeast harvest + reharvest pitch (when scheduled)¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| CIP YB | Yeast Brink CIP |
| Harvest from FV X | Yeast Harvest |
| (Cell count) | Yeast Cell Count |
| Pitch Yeast / Reharvest | Yeast Harvest → Wort Knockout — Part 5 |
Prep tomorrow's B¶
B is mashed in automatically at ~4 AM the next day, so all prep is done Tue evening.
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Load Malt / Add Mash Salt / Prep Additions XXX B | Same SOPs as A |
| Set Brew # XXX B for tomorrow | Brew Day Planning — Botec recipe programmed for night mash-in |
End of day¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| CIP WW EOD | Wortway CIP — EOD variant |
| Start CIP FV X | Fermentation Tank CIP — overnight Tank CIP, finish next day |
Wednesday — Bridge Day (close yesterday's pair, open new)¶
Two brews: B finishing yesterday's batch (auto night mash-in into the same tank as A), then a new A starting a new pair into a freshly CIP'd tank.
Morning — utilities + lab + monitoring¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Up Con T1 | CIP Up-Concentration |
| Steam Check | Steam Generator — Daily Steam Check |
| Plato + Drop Trub + Check FVs + Check Bottles FG | Fermentation Monitoring |
| Check CO₂ + Bubble on tanks in carb | Haffmans · Carbonation |
| Crash FV X if ready — conditional crash trigger when VDK passed and FG confirmed | VDK + Fermentation Management |
| Cone Dump on dry-hopped tanks (post-DH hop dump) | Cone Dumping |
Microbiological sampling¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| VLB FV X — pull samples for VLB Berlin | Microbiological Sampling |
| Mail to VLB | Microbiological Sampling — Step 6: Notify VLB |
| Shelf Life | Shelf Life Program |
Brew B (closing yesterday's pair, mashed in at 4 AM)¶
B ran on auto-pilot overnight. Brewer arrives at 7 AM to it being in late lautering / approaching boil.
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Brew # XXX B | Brew Day Execution — V1 (night mash-in) |
| Steri WW XXX B | Wortway CIP |
| Finish CIP FV Y (next tank, started yesterday) | Fermentation Tank CIP |
| CIP WW FV Y w/short hose | Wortway CIP — Setup A (Harvested Yeast Pitch) — T-piece on tank outlet; yeast pitch line: sightglass → short DN40 hose → sightglass w/tri-clamp → tri-clamp adapter → long hose to CIP return |
Brew A (new pair starts in afternoon)¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Brew # XXX+1 A | Brew Day Execution — V2 |
| Load Malt / Add Mash Salt / Prep Additions XXX+1 A | (standard prep) |
| Steri WW XXX+1 A | Wortway CIP |
| Pitch Yeast XXX+1 A | Wort Knockout — Part 5 |
Prep tomorrow's B¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Load Malt / Add Mash Salt / Prep Additions XXX+1 B | Same prep |
| Set Brew # XXX+1 B for tomorrow | Brew Day Planning |
End of day¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| CIP WW EOD | Wortway CIP |
| CIP FV Z (next tank for next day's brew) | Fermentation Tank CIP — overnight start |
Thursday — Bridge Day (mirror of Wednesday)¶
Functionally identical to Wednesday: B from yesterday + A from today. Same task structure. Often adds:
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Prep Trays (100) — prep canning trays for next week | Weekly Recurring Tasks — Prep Trays |
| Hop dumps on dry-hopped tanks (DH cone dumps) | Cone Dumping |
Friday — Close Last Pair + End-of-Week Cleanup¶
Single brew (B closing the last pair). End-of-week CIPs. Weekly cleanup tasks.
Morning — utilities + monitoring¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Up Con T1 | CIP Up-Concentration |
| Plato + Drop Trub + Check FVs | Fermentation Monitoring |
| Check CO₂ + Bubble | Haffmans · Carbonation |
| Cone Dump on remaining post-DH tanks | Cone Dumping |
Brew B (closing last pair)¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Brew # XXX B | Brew Day Execution — V1 (night mash-in) |
| Steri WW XXX | Wortway CIP |
Post-dry-hop blow-off (16–24 h after Thursday DH on tanks dry-hopped Thursday)¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| FV X: 1 bar HP — hold 1 hr — vent | Dry Hopping (Step 10) |
Set Ready For Filling¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Set FV X READY FOR FILLING (advance Botec recipe to step 16) | Fermentation Management |
End-of-week cleanup (the Friday-specific tasks)¶
| Task | SOP |
|---|---|
| Refill Alcohol Bottles | Weekly Recurring Tasks |
| Refill Addition Buckets | Weekly Recurring Tasks |
| Scrub Floor | Weekly Recurring Tasks |
| Organize hops | Weekly Recurring Tasks |
| Prep Trays (carryover from Thu) | Weekly Recurring Tasks — Prep Trays |
| CIP WW WEE — end-of-week wortway CIP | Wortway CIP — confirm WEE recipe vs daily |
| CIP BH — end-of-week brewhouse CIP | Brewhouse CIP |
Sample Day Logs¶
Real checklists pulled from production. Useful for staffing models and verifying SOP coverage. Tasks listed roughly in checklist order.
Mon 23 Feb 2026¶
Open at end of day (4): Plato FV 7, 13, 19 · Drop Trub FV 19 · Check FVs · Check Bottles FG. Completed (24): Start Steam · Up Con T2 · Check CO₂ FV 1, 2, 14, 17, 18 · CIP Canning Line · ATP · Steri Canning Line · CIP Kegger · Can FV 1, 2, 14, 17, 18 · Keg FV 1, 2, 14, 17, 18 · CIP Canning Line EOD · Dump Condensate · Dump Water Steam · Flush Shower · Prep Chemical Baths · Spund FV 13, 19 · Dump Cone FV 3, 5, 6, 15.
Tue 24 Feb 2026¶
Completed (25): Up Con T1 // LE · Plato FV 7, 13, 19 // LE · Drop Trub FV 19 // LE · Check FVs // LE · Check Bottles FG // LE · pH / P / CO² → Cans // LE · VDK FV 7, 13, 19 // LE · Bubble FV 3, 5, 6, 15 // JR · PA Aeration // LE · CIP FV 17 · CIP WW FV 17 · Brew # 649 A // LE / JR · Load Malt 649 A // LE · Add Mash Salt 649 A // LE · Prep Additions 649 A // LE · Steri WW 649 A // LE · CIP YB · Harvest from FV 13 // CG · Pitch Yeast // Reharvest // JR · Load Malt 649 B // JR · Add Mash Salt 649 B // JR · Prep Additions 649 B // JR · Set Brew # 649 B for tomorrow // LE · CIP WW FV 17 EOD // JR · Start CIP FV 18 // JR.
Wed 25 Feb 2026¶
Completed (28): Plato FV 7, 13, 17, 19 // LE · Drop Trub FV 17 // LE · Check FVs // LE · Crash FV 7, 13 if ready // LE · FV 19: Dump Cone // DH // JR · Dump Condensate // LE · Check CO² FV 3, 5, 6, 15 // Bubble // JR · VLB FV 7, 13, 19 // JR · Steam Check // LE · Brew # 649 B // LE / NJL · Steri WW 649 B // NJL · Up Con T1 // LE · Finish CIP FV 18 / NJL · CIP WW FV 18 w/short hose // NJL · Brew # 650 A // LE / JR · Load Malt 650 A // LE · Add Mash Salt 650 A // LE · Prep Additions 650 A // LE · Steri WW 650 A // LE · Pitch Yeast 650 A // JR · CIP WW FV 18 EOD // JR · Load Malt 650 B // JR · Add Mash Salt 650 B // JR · Prep Additions 650 B // LE · Set Brew # 650 B for tomorrow // LE · CIP FV 1 // NJL / JR · Mail to VLB // LE · Shelf Life // LE.
Thu 26 Feb 2026¶
Completed (23): Plato FV 17, 18, 19 // LE · Drop Trub FV 17, 18 // LE · Check FVs // LE · Check CO² FV 3, 5, 6, 15 // Bubble // JR · FV 7: Dump Cone // DH // JR · FV 13: Dump Cone // DH // JR · Brew # 650 // LE · Steri WW 650 B // LE · Up Con T1 // LE · CIP WW FV 1 w/short hose // LE · Brew # 651 A // LE / JR · Load Malt 651 A // NJL · Add Mash Salt 651 A // LE · Prep Additions 651 A // LE · Steri WW 651 A // LE · Pitch Yeast 651 A // JR · CIP WW FV 1 EOD // JR · Load Malt 651 B // JR · Add Mash Salt 651 B // LE · Prep Additions 651 B // LE · Set Brew # 651 B for tomorrow // LE · Prep Trays (100) // LE / JR · CIP FV 2 // NJL / JR.
Fri 27 Feb 2026¶
Completed (19): Plato FV 1, 17, 18, 19 // LE · Drop Trub FV 1, 18 // LE · Check FVs // LE · Refill Alcohol Bottles // LE / JR · Refill Addition Buckets // NL · CIP FV 2 // JR · Check CO² FV 3, 5, 6, 15 // Bubble // JR · Set FV 3, 5, 6, 15 READY FOR FILLING // LE · FV 7: 1 bar HP — hold 1hr — vent // LE · FV 13: 1 bar HP — hold 1hr — vent // LE · FV 19: Dump Cone // JR · Scrub Floor // NL / JR · Prep Trays // JR · Brew # 651 B // LE / JR · Steri WW 651 // LE · Up Con T1 // LE · CIP WW WEE // JR · CIP BH // JR · Organize hops / NL.
Mon 13 Apr 2026 — alternative Monday (planned, all open)¶
Planned (24): Start Steam · Up Con T2 · Check CO² FV 1, 2, 17 · CIP Canning Line · ATP · Steri Canning Line · CIP Kegger · Can FV 1, 2, 17 · Keg FV 1, 2, 17 · CIP Canning Line EOD · Flush Shower · Dump Water Steam · Dump Condensate · Prep Chemical Baths · Check Bottles FG · Spund FV 3, 13 · Drop Trub FV 10 · Check FVs · VDK FV 3, 13 · Dump Cone FV 5, 6.
Comparison vs Mon 23 Feb: Same shape — startup steam dumps and shower flush, Up-con T2, full canning + kegger CIP+Sani sequence, packaging runs, chemical baths mid-day, spund, cone dumps, EOD CIP + daily monitoring. Volume varies (3 cans + 3 kegs vs 5+5). The Monday template is robust.
Cross-Day Carryover¶
Tasks that didn't get done on the day they appeared and rolled to the next:
| From | Carried to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 23 — Drop Trub FV 19 | Tue 24 — completed by LE | Packaging-heavy Monday; no time to dump cone |
| Mon 23 — Plato / Check FVs / Check Bottles FG | Tue 24 — done early morning | Same |
Daily monitoring tasks ride forward when packaging fills the day.
Staffing¶
There is no permanent operator-initial convention — initials in the sample logs above were just present that week. A formal accountability system (e.g. Todoist or similar) may be introduced later. Until then, treat the initials in the historical samples as week-specific.
The week 9 / 2026 sample suggests 2–3 operators on brew days plus the brewmaster, with 1–2 operators handling cellar / lab / packaging in parallel.