The Challenge

An independently owned microbrewery in the Halton Region operates two warehouse locations where they brew and store product shipped across Canada and into parts of the United States. Beer — whether pasteurized or not — should be treated as a food product from a temperature and contamination control standpoint. The brewery was dealing with energy losses and inconsistent temperature conditions across both warehouse locations, driven by dock doors and large openings that were cycling frequently during production and shipping operations.

Maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the warehouse isn’t just about comfort — it directly impacts product quality and consistency. Cold drafts, warm air intrusion, and the general temperature instability of a building with frequently opened doors creates real quality risk in a craft brewing environment that takes product integrity seriously.

The Solution

Wilcox Door Service assessed both brewery locations and recommended air curtain installation across the key door openings at each facility. Air curtains create a high-velocity airflow barrier across an opening that significantly reduces the air exchange between inside and outside environments — even when the door is open or cycling. For a brewing operation with large warehouse doors that need to remain accessible during production and shipping, air curtains allow the doors to function without creating the temperature disruption that would otherwise occur with each cycle.

Units were specified for the door opening dimensions at each location, with airflow velocity and coverage width matched to the thermal requirements of the brewing environment. Installation was completed at both sites with minimal disruption to production schedules.

Outcomes

Both warehouse locations saw immediate improvement in temperature consistency following the air curtain installations. The energy losses associated with open door cycling were significantly reduced, and the brewery’s team reported more stable internal conditions throughout production and shipping operations. Product quality — which depends on controlled storage conditions — benefited directly from the improved thermal stability, and utility costs associated with heating and cooling the warehouse spaces decreased.