Standard Operating Procedures Guidance for Brewers

Written By Quality Subcommittee , Brewers Association

Brewers Association

The Quality Subcommittee envisions a membership that consistently produces beer of high quality. Quality for this purpose has been defined as: a beer that is responsibly produced using wholesome ingredients, consistent brewing techniques and good manufacturing practices, which exhibits flavor characteristics that are consistently aligned with both the brewer’s and the beer drinker’s expectations.

May 29, 2020

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) provide step-by-step instructions of any repeatable procedure and allow for uniformity, safety, quality, and accountability for complex but routine duties. SOPs are important to quality programs so that data is produced and collected in a standardized form. The author of an SOP should be the person most familiar with the task at hand (i.e. those persons actually performing the work on a consistent or daily basis). For SOPs to be truly effective, they should be translated into checklists that are used daily. It is important to use SOPs not as a replacement for, but as a tool to assist with employee training.

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How To Write Successful SOPs

Keep it simple: For SOPs to be effective they need to be written the way your team works and in common language.
Be specific and concise: Different equipment requires different SOPs. For example, you’ll need separate SOPs for fermenters of different sizes. Write SOPs so that employees at every level of experience can understand and carry out the procedure.
Use pictures or graphics: Graphics ensure that written instructions are properly interpreted.
Maintain and update SOPs: Regularly audit your SOPs. Critically evaluate SOPs for procedural changes or updates needed to improve safety, efficiency, or economy.
Make it accessible: Post the SOP in an area where the procedure is usually performed, compile in a binder, or archive as an electronic file.
Train employees: Make sure employees understand and acknowledge the SOP.

Hazard Analysis

An important step in creating an SOP is to evaluate the associated safety hazards involved in the tasks performed. Refer to the Brewers Association’s guide to Hazard Assessment Principles.

Common Elements

Depending on your operational procedures and department, the elements in SOPs will vary along with the level of detail. A front-of-house cleaning SOP may be structured as a list of steps whereas a brewhouse SOP may include a list of environmental and safety hazards, a detailed step-by-step procedure, and labeled images.