Best sensors for fermentation tracking: What brewers need to know
In today’s brewing world, precision is everything. Whether you're a craft brewery scaling operations or a homebrewer chasing consistency, understanding fermentation in real-time can be the difference between “pretty good” and “award-winning.” That’s where fermentation sensors come in.
But not all sensors are created equal — and depending on your setup, the best sensor for you might differ.
Let’s break down the top fermentation sensors, what they track, and how they stack up.
Why fermentation tracking matters
Fermentation is the heartbeat of your brew. By tracking key data points during this phase, you can:
Detect problems early (like stuck fermentations)
Maintain consistency from batch to batch
Optimize temperature and timing
Reduce waste and off-flavors
In other words: better beer, less guesswork.
Key metrics to monitor during fermentation
Before we dive into specific sensors, here are the core metrics top brewers track:
Specific Gravity (SG) / Plato: Measures sugar levels
Temperature: Crucial for yeast health and flavor development
Fermentation Rate: How fast gravity is dropping
Pressure (CO₂): Important for closed fermentations or tanks
Alcohol Content: Estimated via gravity changes
Best fermentation sensors (2025 Edition)
1. PLAATO Pro
Best for: Large Professional Brewers & Craft Breweries
Tracks: Gravity, temperature, fermentation rate, batch consistency
Data: Real-time cloud dashboard + historical batch comparison
Bonus: No contact with the liquid (non-invasive = less contamination risk)
Why it's great: Easy to integrate with existing tanks, scalable, and brewery-focused
📣 Pro tip: Many brewers pair PLAATO Pro with automated alerting to know the moment a batch finishes fermenting or deviates from baseline trends.
2. Accelerometer Hydrometer
Best for: Advanced homebrewers, tech-savvy homebrewers & small brewhouses
Tracks: Gravity, temperature (via angle calculation)
How it works: Submerged in the fermenter, uses Bluetooth to send data, customizable firmware
Downside: Needs sanitizing before each batch; limited to one vessel unless color-coded. Requires some technical know-how and calibration
3. Thermowell & Probe Sensors
Best for: Basic temperature tracking in any setup
Tracks: Only temperature
Strength: Great for integrating into digital controllers or fermentation fridges
Use case: Combine with a gravity sensor for full tracking
How to choose the right sensor
Here’s a quick breakdown based on your brewery type:
Medium/Large Brewery,
PLAATO Pro + PLAATO Edge advanced control systems
Integrates into broader brewery software stack
Small Brewery
PLAATO Pro
Scalable, non-invasive, data-rich
Homebrewer
Accelerometer Hydrometer
Affordable, easy data capture
The future: Smart fermentation at scale
Modern breweries are no longer flying blind during fermentation. With tools like PLAATO Pro, you can compare fermentation curves, spot anomalies early, and even optimize yeast pitch rates based on past performance.
The future? Brewing that’s not only art — but powered by smart data.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right fermentation sensor is about more than specs — it’s about building a consistent, scalable brewing process. Whether you’re brewing 10 gallons or 10,000 liters, sensors are your secret weapon for quality control.
And if you're serious about fermentation tracking, PLAATO Pro is built for brewers like you.
Want to see how it works in your brewery?
