Food & Beverage Processing · Complete line

Micro Distillery System for Craft Spirits

A modular small-batch distilling system for whiskey, vodka, gin and rum, offered as a pilot still, a still skid or a mash skid.

Model: MM-MDS
Product group: Beverage, Water & Distilling Lines
Annual capacity: Up to 6,000 US gal per year, depending on configuration and shifts
Footprint: Under 500 sq ft (layout designed per project)

Up to 6,000 US gal per year
Footprint under 500 square feet
Pilot still, still skid and mash skid options
For whiskey, vodka, gin, rum and similar spirits
Modular, can grow with your production

Request a quote Beverage, Water & Distilling Lines →

Overview

How it works

Distilling starts with a mash of grain or other sugar source, which is cooked and cooled, then fermented. The fermented wash is heated in a still, where alcohol vapor rises through the column, is condensed and collected as spirit. A small system lets a start-up run the whole process at batch sizes between a pilot and a craft brand.

Three entry points

The system is modular. A pilot still is the smallest entry, based on a 200 L insulated stainless steel still with electric or steam heating. A still skid adds a larger still, an alcohol safety enclosure and fermenters, with a typical example of a 50 gal still and three 100 gal fermenters. A mash skid prepares the mash and includes a 100 gal mash tun with heat exchange. Configurations can be combined.

Capacity and space

The system is designed for up to 6,000 US gallons per year and a footprint under 500 square feet. Actual output depends on the configuration, recipes and the number of shifts, and layout is designed for each room.

What this system is not

It is a craft-scale system. It is not meant for fuel ethanol or large continuous neutral spirit plants.

Safety and licensing

Spirit production involves flammable vapor. Hazardous area classification, ventilation, heat source, fire protection and licensing differ by country, and must be handled with qualified local engineers and authorities.

What you can specify

Spirit types and batch size
Electric or steam heating
Number of fermenters and mashing equipment
Room dimensions and utilities
Safety enclosure and control options

Installation and training

We build and test the equipment, and our engineers help with installation guidance and operator training.

Choosing a configuration

Our micro distillery comes in three starting configurations: a pilot still with condenser, a still skid with safety enclosure and fermenters, and a mash skid with heat exchange. They are different levels of investment. The pilot still is for recipe development and very small runs. The still skid is the base for a working craft distillery. The mash skid is added when you want to cook your own grain instead of buying wash.

Annual capacity is limited by the number of fermenters and by how many batches you can run each week, not only by still size. A 50 gal still with three 100 gal fermenters can be loaded in rotation, which keeps the still working while other batches ferment.

Because alcohol vapors are flammable, site layout matters: ventilation, electrical classification and local rules for spirit production. The intended spirit, such as whiskey, rum, vodka or gin, and your floor plan decide the layout.

Specifications

Specifications: Micro Distillery System for Craft Spirits
Model	MM-MDS
Annual capacity	Up to 6,000 US gal per year, depending on configuration and shifts
Footprint	Under 500 sq ft (layout designed per project)
Pilot still	Insulated stainless steel still, 200 L; electric or steam heating
Still skid example	50 gal still with 3 x 100 gal fermenters
Mash skid example	100 gal mash tun
Fermentation time	about 3–7 days for grain mash, depending on yeast and temperature
Wash strength	about 6–10% alcohol by volume before distilling
Spirit run strength	about 65–80% alcohol by volume from a pot still
Heating method	Electric elements or steam jacket
Cooling water	Continuous flow to the condenser, with a cooling tower or mains water
Fermenter fill level	about 75–85% of vessel volume to allow for foaming
Utilities	Three-phase power, cold water, floor drain, ventilation

Configurations

Configurations: Micro Distillery System for Craft Spirits
Configuration 1	Pilot still with condenser
Configuration 2	Still skid with alcohol safety enclosure and fermenters
Configuration 3	Mash skid with heat exchange and water components

Standard equipment

Mash tun or kettle
Fermenters with temperature control
Pot still with condenser
Product receiver
Hydrometers and thermometers
Pumps, hoses and fittings in stainless steel

Options

Alcohol safety enclosure
Column or reflux section
Steam boiler
Barrel filling and storage racking
Bottling and labeling equipment
Explosion-protected electrical parts

Frequently asked questions

Can I start small and expand later?

Yes. The modular approach lets you start with a pilot still or a still skid and add mashing and fermentation equipment later.

Can it make fuel ethanol?

No. This system is for craft beverage spirits at small batch sizes. Fuel ethanol needs a different plant design.

Who is responsible for permits?

You and your local authorities. We provide drawings and technical documents to support your application.

Can I make several spirits on one still?

Yes. Pot stills handle whiskey, rum and brandy, and a column or botanical basket can be added for gin or vodka. Clean thoroughly between spirits and plan cuts for each.

Request a quote: Micro Distillery System for Craft Spirits

Send your requirement and our engineers reply with the configuration, lead time and a quotation.

sales@machinemalls.com