The Best Two-Way Radios for Breweries
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your brewery, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for a brewery?
The canning line just jammed—again. Production’s at a standstill and no one on the floor can find maintenance…
Over in the taproom, three new kegs need to be swapped but the barback’s disappeared into the cold storage with no way to call for help.
The brewmaster’s trying to track down the shift lead to confirm today’s hop schedule, but they’re on the other side of the facility—and cell service is spotty at best.
These are all common issues in a brewery - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your bewery, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For smaller breweries, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger breweries (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, or tracking deliveries, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for Breweries:
- Brewhouse – For the brew team handling mashing, boiling, and transferring. They need real-time coordination to manage timing and equipment issues.
- Cellar – Dedicated to the crew monitoring fermentation, racking, and cleaning tanks. Quick updates on vessel availability or temperature changes are crucial.
- Packaging – For the team running canning, bottling, and kegging lines. They use this channel to alert others about jams, downtime, or supply needs.
- Taproom – Used by bartenders, hosts, and barbacks to stay synced on keg changes, customer flow, and service needs.
- Maintenance – A direct line to the team fixing pumps, chillers, and canning line issues. Any department can switch to this channel in a pinch.
- Management – A general channel used for announcements, emergencies, or coordination between departments.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great brewery radio?
- Water and Dust Resistance - Spills, steam, and constant cleaning mean radios need to stand up to moisture and fine particulates. Look for IP-rated radios (IP54 or higher is ideal).
- Rugged Build - Between concrete floors and stainless tanks, drops are inevitable. A tough, impact-resistant housing ensures the radio survives daily wear and tear.
- Loud, Clear Audio - Breweries are noisy. High audio output and noise-cancelling mics help messages cut through the roar of the canning line or a packed taproom.
- Long Battery Life - From early morning mashes to late-night closing shifts, radios need to last. A minimum of 12–16 hours of battery life keeps the team connected all day.
- Hands-Free Options - Accessories like headsets, belt clips, or VOX (voice-activated transmission) let staff work hands-free—key when lifting kegs or scrubbing tanks.
- Multiple Channels - To keep communication organized, radios should support multiple channels so teams (brew crew, packaging, taproom, etc.) can have their own space.
- Compact and Lightweight - Bulky radios get in the way. A compact model is easier to wear on a belt or apron without slowing anyone down.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Breweries
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for breweries of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Smaller Breweries
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This is a UHF radio with four channels. You can segment your staff into four different groups for more effective communication.
The RMU2040 is a machine that pushes out the sound with two watts of power and an outdoor range of up to two miles.
It also has an indoor range of 20 floors or up to 250,000 square feet.
The device uses lithium-ion batteries. So, you’re going to have power throughout the day. It also comes with a standing charging tray, a wall charger that plugs into power outlets, and a belt clip.
This is a radio that performs under harsh or stressful conditions with a strength of signal which easily gets around concrete and steel.
Make no mistake about it; this is one sturdy radio.
Its military-grade hardware is composed of materials that meet the MIL-STD 810 and IP-55 standards. That means it can take a licking and keep on ticking.
It comes with 219 different privacy codes that protect against interference and crosstalk. You won’t have to worry about hobbyists or any competitors interfering with your signal.
The customized channel announcement feature also allows you to operate the device hands-free.
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Compact and powerful. Easy to use and great battery life.
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This is a UHF radio with six channels. You can segment your staff into six different groups for more effective communication.
The PKT300 pushes out sound with two watts of power and an outdoor range of up to two miles.
It also has an indoor range of 20 floors or up to 275,000 square feet.
You’re going to have power throughout the day. It also comes with a standing charging tray, a wall charger that plugs into power outlets, and a belt clip.
This is a radio that performs under harsh or stressful conditions with a strength of signal which easily gets around concrete and steel.
Larger Breweries - Multiple Buildings
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
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The Motorola Curve is another popular option…
This is a radio that will work well with a larger staff. It has 10 channels to choose from, making it ideal for a big breweries with multiple teams.
The Curve will also save you money in the long run. Because it operates on a digital band, you won't have to worry about paying any pesky FCC licensing fees.
While larger than the CLPe series, this device is still lightweight at only 4.2 ounces. It covers up to 20 floors or 300,000 square feet of range.
The Call Button compatibility can improve customer service with quick response times.
When it comes to protecting confidential information, the Curve has you covered with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology and 10,000 different privacy codes.
Another great and beneficial feature of this device is its Page All and Call All Available functions. This allows you to reach out to the entire staff at once, and it is ideal in an emergency.
On the other side of the coin, there is also a Direct Call feature that allows you to contact just one person with sensitive information.
This device is going to be able to handle even the longest shift with a 14-Hour battery life. That's all thanks to the rechargeable lithium-ion battery that it comes with.
This is another two-way radio that has an anti-microbial coating to curb the spread of bacteria.
Honorable Mention
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Best Nationwide Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
Need to keep track of deliveries and need unlimited coverage?
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Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states.
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your team – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!