Brewery clean-in-place systems run through the same basic chemical sequence as food processing CIP — caustic wash, acid wash, sanitization — but the soil profile in a brewery is uniquely demanding. Hop resin, yeast biofilm, and beerstone create cleaning challenges...
Brewery CIP
Our Recommended Brewery CIP Chemicals for Service Providers

AlkaBoost™
AlkaBoost™ is a formulated, very low foaming surfactant and hard water control additive which is readily soluble in 50% caustic soda solutions without the need for prolonged mixing or heating.
Usage: Add at 10% by weight into 90% by weight caustic soda (50% sodium hydroxide) to formulate the concentrated caustic cleaner. This cleaner would then be diluted as needed.

AlkaBoost RTU™
AlkaBoost RTU™ is a formulated, very low foaming surfactant and hard water control additive which is readily soluble in 50% caustic soda solutions without the need for prolonged mixing or heating.
Usage: The additive comes pre-mixed with 50% liquid caustic soda and ready to use. Just dilute as needed to preferred active caustic set point.

REL-007™
REL-007™ Stainless Steel Polish removes greasy films, water marks, and finger prints from stainless steel surfaces. Forms an amazing protective coating that repels water, dirt and harmful liquids, while retaining its original luster over long periods of time. Never requires buffing.
Usage: For best results, use a soft cloth and apply REL-007™ Stainless Steel Polish evenly to surface. Remove any excess with a clean dry cloth.
Protect your beer. Simplify your process.
Brewery CIP Chemicals & Systems: Guide for Breweries
Brewery CIP chemicals and well-designed CIP systems are essential for maintaining product quality, extending equipment life, and meeting strict hygiene standards in breweries. Proper cleaning prevents off-flavors, contamination, and costly downtime.
Whether you’re running a craft brewery, regional producer, or winery, understanding how to optimize your brewery CIP chemicals and cleaning processes can significantly improve efficiency and consistency.
Why CIP Systems Matter in Breweries
In brewing and winemaking, even small amounts of residue can ruin an entire batch. Yeast, hops, tannins, proteins, and mineral deposits (commonly called beer stone or wine stone) build up quickly in tanks, pipes, heat exchangers, and fillers.
A properly engineered CIP system brewery allows you to clean equipment thoroughly without disassembly, saving time, labor, and water while ensuring consistent sanitation between batches.
Common Challenges with Brewery CIP Chemicals
Many breweries struggle with the following issues when it comes to their CIP processes:
- Beer stone and scale buildup — Hard water minerals combined with organic soils create stubborn deposits that are difficult to remove.
- Foam control problems — Excessive foam during recirculation can reduce cleaning effectiveness and cause overflow issues.
- Long cleaning cycles — Inefficient chemistry leads to extended downtime and higher water and energy consumption.
- Residue carryover — Poor rinsing leaves behind chemical residues that affect beer flavor and stability.
- Corrosion concerns — Aggressive chemicals can damage stainless steel equipment over time if not properly formulated.
Best Practices for Brewery CIP Chemicals
Successful brewery CIP chemicals programs typically follow a structured approach:
- Pre-rinse — Remove loose soils with water.
- Alkaline cleaning — Use caustic-based cleaners with surfactants to break down organic soils like proteins, yeast, and hops.
- Acid cleaning — Remove mineral deposits and beer stone using phosphoric or nitric acid blends.
- Intermediate rinse — Flush away chemical residues.
- Sanitization — Apply a final sanitizer or disinfectant to eliminate microbes.
- Final rinse — Ensure equipment is ready for production.
Using high-quality brewery CIP chemicals with the right surfactant package is critical for achieving shorter cycles, better soil removal, and reduced water usage.
AlkaBoost™: A Game-Changer for Brewery CIP Systems
Many breweries are seeing major improvements by switching to AlkaBoost™, a high-performance alkaline booster and surfactant blend specifically designed for brewery and winery CIP applications.
Here are the key benefits brewers experience when using AlkaBoost™ in their brewery CIP chemicals program:
- Reduce CIP cycles and frequency — Clean more effectively in fewer steps and less often.
- Reduce or eliminate hydroblasting — Dramatically cut down on manual cleaning and hydroblasting requirements.
- Reduce or eliminate the acid step — Many breweries can simplify their process by removing or greatly reducing the separate acid cleaning phase.
- Reduce or eliminate other additives — Consolidate multiple chemical additives into one powerful solution.
- Improve sanitization — Achieve better microbial control and more reliable sanitation results.
AlkaBoost™ helps breweries streamline their entire CIP process while delivering cleaner tanks, better beer quality, and significant operational savings.
How IG Chemical Solutions Supports Breweries
At IG Chemical Solutions, we develop specialized brewery CIP chemicals and surfactants designed specifically for the unique challenges of brewing and winemaking.
Our flagship product AlkaBoost™ is trusted by breweries looking to simplify their cleaning process while improving results. We also offer full technical support to help optimize your existing CIP system brewery or develop a custom chemical program tailored to your equipment and water conditions.
Whether you need help reducing cleaning time, eliminating hydroblasting, or simplifying your chemistry, our team can provide practical recommendations that deliver measurable results.
Ready to Improve Your Brewery CIP Process?
Let our team help you select the right brewery CIP chemicals and develop a more efficient cleaning program for your operation.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or request a product recommendation tailored to your brewery or winery.
We offer fast lead times on drums, totes, and bulk quantities, along with custom formulation support.
Frequently Asked Question
FAQ
What are the best brewery CIP chemicals?
The most effective brewery CIP chemicals typically combine strong alkaline cleaners with high-performance surfactants. These formulations help break down proteins, yeast, hops, and other organic soils while controlling foam during recirculation. Many breweries also benefit from additives that help prevent mineral scale buildup.
How often should I perform CIP in a brewery?
CIP frequency depends on production volume, beer style, and equipment. Most breweries clean tanks and lines after every batch or at the end of each production day. Using well-formulated brewery CIP chemicals can help maintain cleanliness with fewer or shorter cleaning cycles.
Can I reduce or eliminate the acid step in my brewery CIP process?
In many cases, yes. When using high-quality alkaline cleaners with strong chelating and surfactant packages, some breweries are able to reduce or eliminate the separate acid cleaning step while still effectively controlling beer stone and mineral deposits.
What is beer stone and how do I remove it?
Beer stone (calcium oxalate) is a hard mineral deposit that forms inside tanks, pipes, and heat exchangers. It is best removed using alkaline cleaners combined with chelating agents and surfactants. Regular use of properly formulated brewery CIP chemicals helps prevent beer stone from forming in the first place.
Can CIP chemicals be customized for different breweries?
Yes. Every brewery has unique water conditions, equipment, and soil challenges. Many suppliers offer custom-blended brewery CIP chemicals tailored to specific needs, which often perform better than standard off-the-shelf products.
Do you offer bulk pricing or white-label options for contractors?
Yes. Contact us for volume discounts, custom blending, and private labeling opportunities tailored to your business.
Can CIP chemical additives help with microbial control?
Yes, our CIP chemical additives are formulated to enhance microbial control by breaking down biofilms and eliminating bacteria. This helps maintain a sanitary environment, crucial for industries such as food and beverage processing.
What are the lead times and shipping options?
Expect an estimated 7 Day Lead Time on all orders in Drums and Totes. Reach out to a member of our team for more details on Bulk Delivery Lead Times
Beerstone Prevention Additives for Breweries
Beerstone, a stubborn calcium oxalate deposit, poses a significant challenge for breweries, building up in tanks and pipes, threatening beer quality and equipment efficiency. Beerstone prevention additives—specialized surfactants and chelating agents—enhance...
CIP Cleaning Additives for Breweries: Choosing the Right One
Select CIP cleaning additives for breweries to prevent beerstone and ensure food safety with sustainable solutions
LETS WORK TOGETHER
At IG Chemical Solutions, we provide a diverse array of specialty chemical cleaning additives.
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