Matt Kiser

In liquid process industries such as food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing, stainless steel manways and manholes are critical components. These access points allow for safe, sanitary, and efficient inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of process vessels such as tanks, fermenters, and reactors. While they may appear similar in form and function, there are important distinctions between manways and manholes, and understanding their differences—as well as their types, features, and maintenance needs—is essential to maintaining hygienic standards and operational efficiency. At Glacier Tanks, we supply a variety of manways and manholes to suit your production needs and carry spare parts and seals in stock for regular maintenance.

General Use in Liquid Process Applications

Stainless steel manways and manholes provide a secure and hygienic means of accessing the interior of processing vessels. These access points can be installed on

As steel tariffs and rising costs put added pressure on breweries and beverage producers, now more than ever it's important to take a hard look at your operation’s financial health and future. At Glacier Tanks, we’re feeling the squeeze too—and we want to provide useful, strategic content to help producers navigate today’s industry climate.

This article is a full-picture guide to evaluating your place in the market, understanding industry trends, and knowing how (and when) to adjust your business plan, your production model, or your equipment.

The U.S. craft beer industry is shifting. According to the Brewers Association’s 2024 industry report:

• Production volumes declined 4%: "Craft brewers produced 23.1 million barrels of beer in 2024, a 4.0% decrease from 2023. However, craft’s market share by volume remained essentially flat at 13.3%, the same share as in 2023, as the overall U.S. beer market declined by 1.2% in volume."
• The number of operating