IBC Totes for Breweries and Wineries

IBCs in Beverage Production

Craft breweries and wineries increasingly use IBC totes as cost-effective alternatives to traditional stainless tanks for certain applications.

Common Applications

Ingredient Storage

• Malt extract and syrups
• Fruit juices and concentrates
• Cleaning and sanitizing solutions
• Water treatment chemicals

Wine/Beer Transport

• Bulk transfer between facilities
• Moving product to mobile canning
• Transport to blending operations

Fermentation (Limited)

• Secondary fermentation
• Small-batch experiments
• Fruit/adjunct additions

Requirements for Beverage Use

Food-Grade Certification

• FDA-compliant materials
• Proper documentation
• Traceability to manufacturer

Previous Contents

• Only use IBCs that held food-grade materials
• Ideal: previously held juice, wine, or similar
• Never use chemical containers

Stainless Steel vs. HDPE

When to Use Stainless

• Long-term storage
• Temperature control needed
• Maximum sanitation requirements
• Product contact during fermentation

When HDPE Works

• Short-term storage
• Ingredient holding
• Cleaning solution storage
• Water storage

Sanitation Protocols

• Hot water rinse (180°F+)
• Chemical sanitization
• Thorough rinsing
• Inspection before each use
• Documentation of procedures

Cost Considerations

Food-grade IBCs cost a fraction of stainless tanks. For appropriate applications, they provide significant savings while maintaining food safety standards.