Top 9 Best Brewery Control Software of 2026

Brewer's Friend is best evaluated as a brew record and process tracking system that also covers recipe formulation and brew-day execution planning. It connects recipe versions to specific batch runs so adjustments can be reviewed against prior outcomes. Batch pages aggregate key fields for gravity, temperature targets, and process notes so shift changes can reference the same history.

A tradeoff for Brewer's Friend is that it provides less direct real-time equipment control than dedicated SCADA-centric brewery control stacks. It fits situations where operators need consistent batch records, fermentation planning, and traceable process notes more than PLC-level interlocks. It also works well for teams consolidating brew and cellar data to reduce spreadsheet handoffs.

Ollie fits teams that already run brewhouse control and want a single execution layer for batch tracking, equipment state, and process events. The software’s workflow approach maps incoming machine signals into structured batch histories, which reduces manual reconciliation during handoffs between brew-day and cellar activities. API and automation hooks make it practical to wire in external lab updates and operational tooling without duplicating logic inside spreadsheets.

A key tradeoff is that Ollie’s value depends on clean upstream tagging and equipment mapping, because misaligned identifiers cause batch events to land in the wrong context. A typical usage situation is production operations onboarding a new packaging or transfer step that needs consistent recording, state transitions, and approvals across batches before scaling to additional tanks.

Brewery SAP is built to fit organizations already standardizing on SAP data flows, so it aligns brewery control events with enterprise reporting and audit trails. The most practical fit shows up when teams need consistent batch identity from brewhouse execution into cellar handling and recordkeeping. The integration posture matters because Brewery SAP behaves best when PLC and SCADA systems publish signals that can be mapped into its execution and reporting workflows.

A key tradeoff is that Brewery SAP’s value depends on strong governance of master data and process states, because the system mirrors enterprise workflows rather than operating as a standalone shop-floor layer. It works well for breweries with multiple sites or business units that want one set of batch definitions and quality record logic across planning, production, and compliance reporting. For smaller operators without an SAP backbone or with highly custom shop-floor equipment mapping, the setup effort can outweigh the operational gains.

VMP by Krones targets breweries that already run Krones automation and want higher-level control across brew, fermentation, cellar, and quality workflows. The system focuses on end-to-end batch context tied to equipment communications, with configuration that maps brewery operations into repeatable production runs.

Ekos is a brewery control software suite that coordinates brewing schedules, batch tracking, and cellar workflows from a centralized interface.

Braumat, from Siemens, is aimed at beer and beverage plants that need brewhouse and cellar workflows wired to industrial control systems. Core capabilities center on batch and process tracking, equipment communication for tank and utilities control, and configuration of production states across brewhouse, fermentation, and cleaning.

ProLeiT targets brewery control workflows with a focused control layer that maps operational signals to batch, tank, and production states. It provides integration and automation surfaces for connecting PLC and plant systems, so brewhouse and cellar events can drive downstream actions.

Brewfather is brewery control software focused on recipe building, batch tracking, and structured fermentation planning with a mobile-friendly workflow. Temperature profiles for fermentation and conditioning are translated into practical schedules for operators, including stage timing and target targets per batch.

BeerSmith is brewery control software that focuses on recipe formulation and brew planning tied to batch execution records. Its core workflow centers on recipe management, batch tracking, and practical brew-day calculations that support consistent repeatability.