But a time-honored brand is never content with tradition alone. Early in 2024, Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer decided to invest more heavily in craft brewing, and a plan to build a new “pilot workshop” was put on the agenda. After multiple rounds of discussion and communication, the brewery decided to partner with Krones.
Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer traces its roots back to the Beijing Sonhoshin Soda Factory, which was founded in 1915 as China's first domestically funded brewery. It stands as a true witness to a century of brewing evolution. In February 2024, it was recognized by the Ministry of Commerce as a "China Time-honored Brand", highlighting the brand’s rich heritage and enduring vitality.
75-day sprint with strength in every detail
Building a pilot plant that supports research and development, small-batch customized production and flexible brewing isn’t just about installing equipment, especially when the space available is a compact 3,000 square meters. It was a challenge of technology and efficiency – and Krones’ local team in China rose to it. Drawing on their extensive project experience and professional technical expertise, they successfully delivered a tailor-made brewing system from Steinecker that meets Sonhoshin’s needs.
Krones has outstanding design and execution capabilities. They completed the equipment installation and commissioning tasks in just 75 days, helping us save valuable time and laying a solid foundation for our future growth. We look forward to continuing to work with them on more projects in the future and ushering in a new chapter in the beer industry.
Zhu BingGeneral Manager, Beijing Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer Co., Ltd.
To understand the scale of this achievement, let’s go back to 2024: From the earliest layout design stage, the Krones’ local team in China worked closely with Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer, carefully aligning the plans with the brewery’s brand positioning and production capacity goals as well as the physical constraints of the site. Every piece of equipment was carefully positioned and simulated to optimize the production process within the limited space.
During installation, the Krones team demonstrated their professionalism. From large mechanical components such as mash tuns and fermentation tanks to complex automated process control systems, every step was carried out in strict accordance with design drawings and installation specifications to ensure accurate placement and stable operation.
Once installation was complete, commissioning work began. This is a critical phase that directly determines production quality and efficiency. The Krones team tested and fine-tuned each part of the system – from raw material processing and mashing to yeast handling, fermentation and filtration – and meticulously adjusted process control parameters to match Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer’s unique recipe and process requirements.
The project was not without challenges. The schedule was extremely tight, leaving the team with very limited time. And the on-site conditions were complex, with various pipelines and obstacles to complicate transport, installation and commissioning. And yet, the Krones team remained undaunted. They coordinated personnel efficiently to keep the project on track. And whenever problems arose, team members came together quickly to analyze the situation and find effective solutions.
All-out effort brings brewing project to life
It took only 75 days from the arrival of the first equipment to installation, commissioning, water testing and official production – an impressive achievement by any standard. On September 20, 2024, the first batch of original craft beer went into the fermentation tank, marking a significant expansion of Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer's craft brewing business and another solid step forward for the craft segment overall.
Cooperation is a true mutual effort
“We chose to work with Krones because we valued their deep technical expertise. During the cooperation, we found that their professionalism extends beyond the quality of the Steinecker equipment itself. It is evident throughout every part of the process,” Zhu Bing explains. From the very start, Krones maintained clear and effective communication with Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer. Their after-sales service has likewise been to a high standard of professionalism and responsiveness, earning them unanimous praise from Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer.
Today, this modern brewery combines century-old brewing craftsmanship with innovative vigor empowered by technology – the result of a successful partnership between Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer and Krones.
About Beijing Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer
Beijing Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer Co., Ltd., formerly the Beijing Sonhoshin & Five Star Soda Factory, was founded in 1915 as China’s first brewery established with domestic capital. It has a history spanning 110 years. The first bottle of beer produced by Chinese hands was Five Star Beer. The brewery is now part of Beijing Yili Light Industry Holding Co., Ltd., and has three beer brands: Forbidden City, Sonhoshin, Five Star.
1915: The first brewery funded by domestic capital
1929: Awarded a gold medal at the Panama International Exposition
2021: Beijing Yiqing Food Group launched the Sonhoshin brand, bringing the taste of traditional Chinese beer back to the market
Today: Sonhoshin & Five Star Beer continues to build a beloved national brand, ready for a new era
