Initially designed to speed up fermentation, Poseidon has gained popularity among breweries for its ability to maintain a consistent mix within the tank. This retrofittable unit is now operational in over 100 systems globally, catering to various applications and tank sizes.
Referred to as “dynamic fermentation” when first introduced at Drinktec 2017, the system has since evolved to address broader brewing challenges. “The Steinecker Poseidon system has revolutionised the beer brewing process by ensuring homogeneous mixing in fermentation tanks, reducing beer losses, and accelerating fermentation,” says Johannes Eymess, a design engineer at Steinecker, who has been involved with Poseidon since its inception.
When pitching Poseidon to a craft brewer, Johannes emphasises its ability to minimize losses while filling of dry-hopped beer. By re-circulating the beer in the fermenter, Poseidon ensures a homogenous mix, optimising quality from the first to the last drop and reducing the hops needed for the same flavour.
This capability also allows for the interruption of beer filling while keeping particles in motion.
For industrial brewers, Poseidon can reduce tank occupancy times for certain raw materials with high original extract. The system accelerates the fermentation process by evenly distributing yeast throughout the beer and speeds up the beer cool-down process, saving valuable time.
Many configurations
The development of Poseidon aimed to enhance the fermentation process, which typically spans seven days. As CO2 rises during fermentation, it keeps the yeast in suspension. However, towards the end of fermentation, yeast tends to settle, slowing maturation and extract removal.
Poseidon keeps yeast in suspension, speeding up these processes. It also prevents the formation of different temperature layers during cool-down, ensuring optimal rates without requiring tank modifications or additional pressure tests.
Poseidon’s success is evident in its ability to reduce fermentation times from seven to five days for some customers, with a few even achieving four-day fermentations. This efficiency is particularly beneficial for large facilities with numerous fermenters, although results vary based on raw materials and original extract levels.
Poseidon’s adaptability has made it a favourite among craft brewers, particularly those adding hops or aromatics during cold storage. Its centrifugal pump handles particles effectively, preventing solids from settling at the tank’s bottom.
Steinecker offers Poseidon in various configurations to meet diverse customer needs. Many breweries utilise all three inlet and outlet ports, allowing flexible mixing options and efficient yeast discharge.
The system’s standardised configurations and five different sizes are tailored to each tank’s capacity and geometry, ensuring optimal performance without necessitating tank modifications or recertification.
Poseidon’s widespread adoption, with over 100 units sold in the past 5 years, underscores its success. Customers, ranging from small craft brewers to large-scale enterprises, appreciate its efficiency, ease of installation, and significant impact on the brewing process.
