Laser Welding

Laser welding is the latest advancement in welding, with the ability to replace wire feed MIG as well as TIG welding, with several advantages over these long-held standard welding methods.  

Production of stainless steel distiller parts has traditionally be done using TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding.  This method has, until recently, been the best option for welding the relatively light-gauge material used, causing less damage to the tubing and other components than with other traditional methods of welding.  Still, TIG welding works by creating an arc of electricity to melt the metal, creating significant heat on the metal.

Fiber Laser welding, using fiber optics to generate a high power infrared laser, allows for a very fine beam that can be far more focused and intense.  This results in much faster and more precise melting of the metal, reducing the Heat Affected Zone (the area where the surface of the metal has been altered) to just the area being welded, leaving the corrosion resistant qualities of the stainless steel more intact than with TIG welding.  The smaller Heat Affected Zone also requires less polishing, improving the overall appearance and corrosion resistance.  Laser welding also requires no tungsten, so there is no contact or risk of contamination of the metal.

So, with laser welding offering the benefits of faster welding with less damage to the surrounding material, why isn't everyone switching to Fiber Optic Laser Welding?  Put quite simply, the investment cost is significant.  TIG Welding machines can cost as little as $500-$600, whereas Laser Welding Machines are many times the cost, starting at more than $10,000.  In our opinion, the benefits and finished quality are worth the investment.

Brewhaus manufactures many of the items that we sell, in our own warehouse, under our own control, and in the USA.  Many other suppliers simply import and resell other manufacturers products under their own label.  This includes most of the distillers that we sell, some fittings, and all of the High Spirits line of yeasts and liquor essences.  Brewhaus spends a lot of time on research and development, as well as specialized equipment, in order to be able to produce many of these products.

If these items are truly made by Brewhaus in our Texas warehouse, then why do we not say that they are made in the USA? Legalities.  Made in the USA is actually a legal declaration monitored by the Federal Trade Commission.  In order to qualify as Made in the USA all (or virtually all) components must also be produced in the USA.  Even the smallest component, if it is necessary for the operation or use of the item, must be made in the USA in order to use make the Made in the USA claim. Unfortunately, some components are simply not currently available from the USA.  While the tubing in our columns is all US manufactured, the ferrules, clamps, and gaskets are not available from a US producer, so they must be imported.  Strike the Made in the USA claim for our columns.  There are no dried distillery yeast manufacturers in the USA, so while we manufacture all of the High Spirits turbo yeasts and specialty yeasts, they are not, legally, Made in the USA.

So, when you see the Manufactured by Brewhaus logo, that means that we physically produce the product right here in our Texas warehouse.  Manufactured in the USA, just not "Made in the USA".