This year, the start of spring was accompanied with a new capacity expansion. On Thursday, 21 March, we installed four brand-new beer tanks, of which two are intended for Kasteel Rubus Framboise.
Eighteen months ago, for the first time since moving to Izegem, we expanded our annual capacity by 12.5%. At the time, we were already considering installing an additional three tanks. In the end, three became four. Combined, that accounted for a capacity expansion of 10%.
The installation of the tanks once again provided spectacular images.
Smooth installation
Just like in 2022, the frames on which we place the tanks were installed first. ‘That work took place a week beforehand and went very smoothly,’ Maikel Vanden Broucke, responsible for automation, begins.
‘On the day itself, we started setting up the cranes at 7 am. The first tank hung in the air at 9 am and the second tank was in place even before noon. Transport then drove back to Menen to collect the remaining tanks. In the end, all tanks were installed by just after 4 pm. Exactly as planned.’
After the installation, we started the integration with our machinery park. ‘For that, production was halted for two weeks so that we could get everything ready. From 15 April, the new tanks were operational for the fermentation and maturation of our special beers.’
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With a new annual capacity of 220,000 hl, we have plenty of space for further growth.
Space to grow
The four tanks combined – with their capacities of 750 hl, 1,000 hl, 1,200 hl and 1,500 hl – account for a capacity expansion of 10%. ‘Since the expansion in 2022, we have continued to invest in our beer brands, whereby the demand for them continues to increase,’ production manager Hans Mehuys states.
‘In addition, we are back in the United States of America, where the volumes are starting to add up nicely. Finally, we successfully put Kasteel Rubus Framboise on the market, and we expect considerable volumes for that this year too. With a new annual capacity of 220,000 hl, we are fortunate to have plenty of room for further growth.’
