Visiting CBB for the first time? Surrounded by fillers, seamers and automated packaging lines, many craft brewery founders begin with one question: “How much does this system cost?”

But the details between placing an order and achieving stable production matter just as much: What does the quote include? What output can you realistically expect? Are the supporting systems ready? When can production begin? And how will you confirm that the equipment meets the agreed requirements?

For beer filling and packaging equipment, these five questions will help you have more useful conversations with suppliers.

1. What is included in the quote?

The same phrase, “a complete filling system,” can describe very different packages. One quote may cover only the main machine; another may include conveyors, supporting equipment and installation. Comparing the totals alone can be misleading.

Ask the supplier to itemize the main machine, auxiliary equipment, changeover parts, spares and service charges. Confirm whether taxes, shipping, unloading, installation and operator training are included.

Also check which can formats and capacities the system supports. If you change packaging sizes later, will you need additional parts? Compare prices only after the configuration and scope of supply are aligned.

2. How much saleable product will the rated speed deliver?

A claim such as “cans per hour” needs operating conditions: What can size? Which beer? How many operators?

Your production plan also needs to account for cleaning, changeovers, refilling, downtime and rejected packs. For example, assume a machine runs at 1,000 cans per hour for six productive hours per day, with a 95% pass rate. That gives approximately 5,700 acceptable cans per day.

This is an illustrative calculation, not the performance specification of any particular machine.

Ask the supplier to estimate output using your beer, packaging materials and shift pattern. Check that downstream labeling and case packing can keep pace.

3. What supporting equipment and utilities are needed?

When selecting a filler, review the compressed-air supply and air treatment, food-grade carbon dioxide, product transfer and temperature control, and the cleaning and sanitation plan.

Can handling, conveying, coding, labeling and case packing should be matched to your packaging format and staffing plan.

Request a layout drawing and a schedule of water, power and gas requirements. Define who supplies each item, who installs it and who is responsible for each connection. A complete checklist helps prevent extra purchases and delays after the machine arrives.

4. What does the delivery date actually mean?

Leaving the factory, arriving at your brewery, completing installation and passing trial-run acceptance are separate milestones. Clarify whether the lead time starts when the contract is signed, the deposit is received, or the drawings and samples are approved.

Include design approval, manufacturing, factory testing, shipping, installation, commissioning and training in the schedule. At the same time, specify what your brewery must prepare, including the site, packaging materials and beer for trial runs.

Arrival does not mean the line is ready for commercial production. Allow time for adjustments and trial runs before committing to a product launch.

5. What counts as successful acceptance?

Agree in advance on factory testing and on-site acceptance. Use approved packaging materials and the agreed beer, and run the equipment continuously under defined conditions.

Acceptance checks can cover stable output, fill quantity variation, seam quality, product loss and oxygen control. Record the test methods, sample sizes and pass criteria. Packaging-quality checks should consider dissolved oxygen, total package oxygen, can seams and can weights.

Before signing, also agree on payment milestones, corrective action and retesting, the warranty start date, and after-sales response arrangements.

Bring your buying checklist to CBB — meet us at Booth C11

Shanghai NaQuan Precision Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. specializes in craft beer filling, sealing and integrated packaging lines, with services spanning design, manufacturing, installation, technical support and after-sales service.

CBB 2026 takes place October 12–15, 2026, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

• Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, China
• Shanghai NaQuan booth: C11

Bring your target output, packaging specifications, floor-space dimensions and budget. We look forward to discussing configuration, quotations, capacity, supporting systems, delivery and acceptance with you — and helping you prepare for production.