Business Insurance – Contamination Coverage and Tips for Breweries

The brew process involves a number of perishable ingredients, all of which require proper storage. Mishandling or incorrectly storing these ingredients could cripple your brewery’s ability to produce a good quality product.

What is contamination?

The proliferation of unintended organisms, including bacteria, molds, or wild yeast. Contamination also includes drug compounds or any other physical or chemical material in your perishable brewing ingredients. These contaminants could be introduced during storage, or during the processing or manufacturing operation.

Storage tips to help avoid contamination

Malted Grain:

Keep it dry and contained; moisture is the number one enemy of malt ingredients.

• Store Malted Grain in airtight containers to reduce the risk of attracting rodents or insects.

• Don’t store it in a refrigerator or freezer because condensation may form when it thaws.

• Store liquid malt extract in the original manufacturer packaging. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended use by date, including the recommended shelf life for opened product.

• We recommend that you maintain a dry storage space between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit

Hops:

Keep it frozen.

• Store hops in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn

• For best product quality results, avoid any exposure to heat, light, or oxygen

Yeast:

Keep it refrigerated.

• Refrigerate dry form, liquid form, or cultured yeast as close to 32 degrees as possible so that it remains (or becomes) dormant

• Proper storage techniques can reduce spoilage and lowers the risk of autolysis

Here at The Miller Insurance Agency we represent companies that can help cover you for these exposures.  Coverage can include:

• Brewing ingredients that have perished on the premises.

– Direct physical loss to perishable brewing ingredients or products you have sold but not delivered.

– Expense support for removal and disposal of perished brewing ingredients.

• Changes in temperature resulting from breakdown.

• Service outages beyond your control including electrical, gas, and water.

For more information about insurance coverage for your brewery contact us.

Source: Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance