D. LOEFFLER (1); (1) Loeffler Chemical Corporation, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
Brewhouse Operations I
Thursday, October 8
1:45–3:30 p.m.
Grand 6–8
Many breweries today are growing at a very rapid pace, some as much as several hundred percent per year. As breweries grow at these often difficult to sustain rates, scheduled and preventative maintenance are often dramatically reduced or even eliminated altogether in favor of keeping up with production and demand. However, the consequences from such a lack of maintenance can be severe and frequently lead to sanitation issues and equipment failures that affect the quality of the beer. This presentation will discuss which areas are frequently neglected, even under normal operating conditions, and how the lack of maintenance can affect the sanitary conditions in a brewery. We will look at practical examples of how the lack of maintenance may affect the various system parts and how these affected parts can quickly become quality hots pots for a brewery. This holds true more than ever in an environment where more and more yeast strains are handled within one brewery and cross-contamination is a real concern. Recommendations are given for scheduled service intervals for frequently missed wear-and-tear parts, as well as how preventative maintenance can save breweries money, time, and employee turnovers while maintaining its overall quality.
Dirk Loeffler is the technical director of Loeffler Chemical Corporation, a chemical company specializing in sanitation products and chemical automation for breweries, with corporate offices in Atlanta, GA. In his position, Dirk continuously develops and implements new products, cleaning technologies, and automation systems. Dirk came to the United States from Germany in 1992 to lay the groundwork for the U.S. operations of Loeffler Germany, resulting in the incorporation of Loeffler Chemical Corporation in 1994. Born and raised in Cologne, Germany, Dirk graduated in Cologne with a degree in business administration. He then worked for Chemische Fabrik Kalk GmbH, a BASF subsidiary, before joining the Loeffler family business in 1989, where he worked in technical sales and research and development. Dirk lives in Atlanta, GA, with his wife Alexis and their twin boys Kai and Sebastian. Dirk has been an active member of MBAA since 1993, and he is also an active member of the Brewers Association, as well as the American Society of Brewing Chemists.
