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Otter Brewery invest in new Cask line

The new Cask Washer (Microdat’s latest MCW-3S) will allow Otter Brewery to produce 120 Firkins (9 Gallon Casks) per hour. The design of the washer is based on an overhead-walking beam that means all of the mechanics are out of harms way of the water and steam. The washer is fully automated and computer controlled so casks are washed to precise and stringent hygiene standards. The Cask Washer is also fully up to the tough Health and Safety standards in the workplace - less manual handling means there is less strain on the operators back.

The new Cask Racker (Microdat’s latest MCR-2H) improves filling rates and can produce 120 Firkins (9 Gallon Casks) per hour. The Twin Head Racker uses Microdat’s positive displacement and metering pump (PDMP) to fill the casks to the exact quantity while not stressing the beer and thus keeping the quality. The computer controlled Racker will also be responsible for running the automatic Cleaning in Place (CIP) of the Racker making sure the pipe work is kept clean to Otter Brewery’s stringent hygiene standards.

A Cask Elevator and Cask Lowevator also designed by Microdat will allow Otter Brewery to wash the Casks downstairs while Racking upstairs.

Microdat began trading in the late 1980s and quickly developed a reputation for being innovative within the specialist sector of the Keg and Cask packaging in the UK brewing industry. In January 2002 Stephen Midgley and his management team bought Microdat from BI Industries plc to further develop the company and its products and services.

Microdat designs, manufactures and installs a full range of Keg and Cask Handling Equipment including Cask Washers, Cask Rackers / Fillers, Cask De-Shive De-Keystone Machine, Cask Labellers, Cask Weighers and Keg Washers, Keg Rackers / Fillers, Keg Labellers, Keg Cappers, Keg Weighers. Microdat also produce a wide range of conveyors, palletisers, locator board solutions and robotic handling systems.

Otter Brewery

Established in October 1990 by David and Mary Ann McCaig, the brewery is located on a 16th Century farm in East Devon's Blackdown Hills. David brewed with Whitbreads for 17 years and Mary Ann's family have been brewers for generations. The original objective was to develop a small micro-brewery, using it's own spring water, yeast and locally malted barley to supply a few real ale houses with a top quality cask conditioned beer. Demand led to growth and now, over 15 years later the brewery consists of a state of the art 80 barrel brewing plant designed by David.

For more information on Otter Brewery visit: www.otterbrewery.com