ABSTRACT
Lean is a systematic method for the elimination of waste within a manufacturing system. The Toyota Production System (TPS) was only identified as "lean" in the 1990s. Lean manufacturing provides a sustainable competitive advantage that will allow a brewery (or distillery) to outperform its competitors. Beer (and spirit) production has two overlapping primary objectives—to brew quality beer that meets consumer expectations and to produce beer in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Most stages of brewing, from raw material development to the characteristics of packaging (bottling, canning, and kegging), have evolved into a more efficient and rapid process, and most aspects have resulted in cost savings—directly or indirectly. High gravity techniques in both brewing and distilling include a diverse series of processes and exhibit a number of advantages and disadvantages. The vacuole plays an important role in the ability of yeast cells to successfully ferment high gravity worts.
