Frequently asked questions about FermaStat

Frequently asked questions

What is FermaStat?

FermaStat is a brewery fermentation temperature monitoring and control platform for craft breweries. It combines cloud software with practical hardware to provide real-time tank telemetry, smart alerts, cloud logs, and optional active control on configured devices.

How can fermentation temperature monitoring help my brewery?

Fermentation temperature monitoring helps breweries catch drift, glycol failures, and chiller problems before they affect batch quality. FermaStat gives head brewers remote visibility, after-hours alerts, and centralized logs so teams respond faster and hold fermentation profiles more consistently.

Is FermaStat the same as Fermostat controllers?

No. FermaStat is a modern cloud platform for brewery fermentation monitoring and control. It is not the same as legacy Fermostat thermostat controllers. FermaStat was co-founded by brewer Dr. Philip Shaw of Obercreek Brewing and technologist Tor Miller.

Who is FermaStat designed for?

FermaStat is designed for small to mid-sized craft breweries, brewpubs, and growing production cellars that need better fermentation visibility and practical control without full industrial automation.

What is the difference between monitoring and control on FermaStat?

Monitored devices provide read-only tank telemetry and alerts. Controlled devices add active setpoint maintenance and fermentation profile support where configured. Many breweries start with monitoring and add control later.

How does FermaStat compare to Inkbird or basic thermostats?

Inkbird and basic thermostats work well for single-device local control but lack a brewery-wide cloud dashboard, centralized logs, and multi-tank alerting. FermaStat is built for cellar-wide visibility across fermenters, glycol chillers, and cold storage.

How does FermaStat compare to BrewPi or DIY monitoring?

BrewPi and DIY setups can be flexible for technical teams but create ongoing maintenance burden and reliability risk. FermaStat provides brewery-specific monitoring, supported hardware, smart alerts, and cloud logs without requiring custom scripts or self-hosted infrastructure.

Does FermaStat work with glycol chillers and fermentation tanks?

Yes. Many breweries use FermaStat to monitor glycol chillers, fermentation vessels on glycol loops, freezers, fridges, and brite tanks—with alerts before chiller issues or temperature drift affect active batches.

Can FermaStat replace my brewers?

No. FermaStat extends visibility and alerting so brewers can respond faster. It does not replace human judgment on fermentation management, diacetyl rest timing, or crash cooling decisions.

How much does FermaStat cost?

FermaStat starts at $100/month per brewery, plus $10/month per monitored device and $20/month per controlled device, plus one-time hardware. Unlimited users are included. See the pricing page for examples and a calculator.

Can we start with a pilot before committing?

Yes. Request a FermaStat pilot and we will recommend a practical starter setup based on your tanks, chillers, freezers, and control points.

Is FermaStat a full brewhouse automation system?

No. FermaStat is an affordable batch-protection layer focused on fermentation temperature monitoring, alerts, logs, and optional control—not a complete brewhouse automation replacement.