Brewery and distillery equipment financing covers craft beverage startups and expansions. Brewery equipment: brewhouse systems ($75K–$800K), fermenters ($10K–$60K each), bright tanks ($15K–$50K), canning lines ($150K–$500K), glycol chillers, walk-in coolers. Distillery equipment: pot stills ($50K–$300K), column stills ($100K–$500K), hybrid stills, mash tuns, bottling lines, barrels. Startup capital needed: $500K–$2M for brewery, $400K–$1.5M for distillery (plus barrels). Financing paths: SBA 7(a) up to $5M for combined equipment + working capital + real estate, SBA 504 for equipment + real estate, equipment loans for refresh or smaller deals. Rates 8–13% APR, 680+ FICO for SBA, brewmaster/distiller credentials matter as much as personal credit.
Brewery and distillery equipment financing is one of the trickier craft industries to finance — the equipment is expensive, the industry has high startup failure rates (~20% of breweries close in their first 3 years), and lenders rightly scrutinize the people more than the paperwork. But for operators with brewmaster or distiller experience, the SBA programs and specialty craft beverage lenders compete actively. This guide covers what financing actually looks like by equipment category and what makes deals fundable. For the broader hub see equipment financing.
Brewery Equipment Costs
| Equipment | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10-bbl brewhouse (nano) | $75K–$150K | Taproom + small distribution |
| 30-bbl brewhouse (craft) | $250K–$400K | Standard craft size, regional distribution |
| 60+ bbl brewhouse (regional) | $400K–$800K | Larger regional + national distribution |
| Fermenter (per tank) | $10K–$60K | Need 4–10x brewhouse capacity |
| Bright tank | $15K–$50K | For conditioning + carbonation |
| Mobile canning | $50/case | Outsourced; alternative to owned line |
| Canning line (owned) | $150K–$500K | Wild Goose, CODI, Pneumatic Scale most common |
| Bottling line | $100K–$400K | Less common in modern craft |
| Glycol chiller | $30K–$100K | Pro Refrigeration dominates |
| Walk-in cooler | $20K–$80K | Finished goods storage |
| Kegs (1/2 bbl) | $130–$200 each | Need hundreds for distribution |
Distillery Equipment Costs
- Pot still (100–300 gal): $50K–$150K. Whiskey, brandy, gin specialty.
- Pot still (500–1,000 gal): $150K–$300K. Medium craft scale.
- Column still (continuous): $100K–$500K. Vodka, neutral grain spirits.
- Hybrid still (pot + column): $200K–$700K. Most versatile.
- Mash tun: $25K–$100K.
- Fermentation tanks: $10K–$50K each (typically 4–8 needed).
- Bottling line: $100K–$400K.
- Barrels (oak, new + used): $80–$200 each. Hundreds to thousands needed for aged spirits — barrel inventory often $200K–$2M+ on its own.
- Top still makers: Vendome Copper & Brass Works, Specific Mechanical, Headframe Spirits Systems, Forsyths.
Financing Paths
- SBA 7(a) up to $5M — default for combined equipment + working capital + tenant improvements. 10–15% buyer equity, ~10% rate, 10-yr term on equipment portion.
- SBA 504 up to $5.5M — for equipment + owned real estate. 10% buyer equity, ~6% blended rate, 25-yr term on real estate / 10-yr on equipment.
- Equipment-only loans — 8–13% APR, 48–72 months, 10–20% down. Good for equipment refresh or expansion at an established brewery/distillery.
- Specialty craft beverage lenders — some equipment lenders have dedicated craft beverage teams that understand the industry and underwrite faster. Live Oak Bank has a craft beverage SBA team.
What Lenders Scrutinize
- Brewmaster / distiller experience. First-time operators without industry experience face the most pushback. Hiring a credentialed brewmaster (5+ years experience) often makes or breaks the loan.
- Revenue mix. Taproom revenue (high margin) vs distribution (lower margin) ratio. Most successful craft breweries are 40–60% taproom in early years.
- Distribution agreements. Signed self-distribution licenses or distributor agreements demonstrate path to market.
- TTB licensing status. Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau permit takes 90–180 days. State licenses additional. Lender wants timeline visibility.
- Startup capital runway. Most brewery/distillery startups need 12–18 months runway capital BEYOND equipment before break-even. Lender wants this in projections.
Next Step
Get matched with craft beverage equipment lenders and SBA Preferred Lender Banks. See also restaurant kitchen equipment financing and SBA 504 vs 7(a).
A worked example: financing a brewhouse
Take a startup brewery financing $300,000 of equipment — a brewhouse, fermenters, and a canning line — with 15% down, leaving $255,000 over 84 months. At about 10% APR the payment is near $4,235 a month, structured long because brewing equipment is durable and the business ramps over its first years. The regulatory and ramp risk is why a strong plan matters as much as the equipment: federal and state licensing (TTB, state ABC), the build-out, and a realistic production-and-sales ramp all factor in, so distribution relationships count. An active secondary market for used gear can lower the financed amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you finance brewery and distillery equipment?
Yes. Brewhouses, fermenters, stills, and canning or bottling lines finance as equipment, typically over 60–84 months, with the equipment as collateral — though lenders scrutinize licensing and the business plan.
What do lenders scrutinize on a brewery or distillery?
Federal and state licensing (TTB and state ABC), the build-out, a realistic production-and-sales ramp, and distribution relationships. The regulatory and ramp risk is why a strong plan matters as much as the equipment.
Can a startup brewery finance equipment?
Yes, though startups should expect a larger down payment, a longer term, and close scrutiny of the plan and licensing. Buying some equipment used from the active secondary market lowers the financed amount.
Is brewing equipment Section 179 eligible?
Generally yes — most brewing and distilling equipment qualifies for Section 179 and bonus depreciation, so a profitable operation may expense a large share in the placed-in-service year. Confirm with your accountant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does brewery equipment cost?
Wide range by scale. Brewhouse system: $75K–$500K (10-bbl nano $75K–$150K; 30-bbl craft $250K–$400K; 60+ bbl regional $400K–$800K). Fermenters: $10K–$60K each (most breweries need 4–10x brewhouse capacity in fermenters). Bright tanks: $15K–$50K. Canning line: $150K–$500K. Glycol chiller: $30K–$100K. Walk-in cooler: $20K–$80K. A craft brewery startup typically runs $500K–$2M in equipment.
How much does distillery equipment cost?
Pot still: $50K–$300K (small craft 100–300 gal; medium 500–1,000 gal). Column still: $100K–$500K. Hybrid still (pot + column): $200K–$700K. Mash tun: $25K–$100K. Fermenters: $10K–$50K each. Bottling line: $100K–$400K. Barrels (for aging): $80–$200 each, hundreds to thousands needed. Craft distillery startup typically $400K–$1.5M in equipment plus barrels.
Can I get an SBA loan for a brewery or distillery?
Yes — both are eligible for SBA 7(a) and 504. SBA 7(a) common for combined equipment + working capital + real estate, up to $5M. SBA 504 for equipment + real estate, 10% down at ~6% blended rate. Breweries and distilleries face more SBA scrutiny than other restaurant/retail — lenders care about distribution agreements, taproom revenue mix, and management experience. First-time owners typically need a brewmaster/distiller with track record.
What credit score is needed?
680+ FICO for SBA programs. 620+ for equipment-only loans through specialty craft beverage lenders. Brewery and distillery deals weight: (1) brewmaster/distiller experience, (2) taproom location and trade area, (3) distribution agreements, (4) startup capital and runway as much as personal FICO. New entrants without industry experience face significant lender pushback.
Can I finance used brewery or distillery equipment?
Yes — the resale market is robust, especially for tanks (fermenters, bright tanks, brite tanks) and brewhouse components. Used equipment up to 10–15 years old finances at similar rates to new with a 12-month warranty. Stainless steel tanks hold value extremely well — some used equipment trades at 60–80% of new pricing. Specialty equipment brokers (Brewing & Distilling Sales, Pro Refrigeration, Craft Brewing Resources) handle most used market.