ABSTRACT
Extensive reorganisation in the industry since the mid-fifties has provided the basis for technical innovation, and the whole brewing process, from the malting stage to the packaging of the product, is highly suited to the introduction of microelectronics. Microelectronic controls offer flexibility, large data handling capabilities, relative cheapness and improvements in performance. While hard wired logic systems have long been in operation in many companies, the application of microtechnology has in recent years made a significant contribution in improving the efficiency of the process. The development of post-fermentation treatment since the 1950s has opened up another area for the implementation of microtechnology. Microtechnology may be used for the identification of the whereabouts of containers, and for monitoring the utilisation of vehicles, their maintenance and costings. Microtechnology may be used to facilitate stocktaking by recording stocks, calculating cash expected and indicating variances in managed houses.
