Equipment Financing
Brewery & Distillery Equipment Financing
Axiant Partners finances brewing systems, fermentation tanks, stills, canning lines, and complete craft beverage facilities. SBA 7(a) programs for startups. Terms 36–84 months.
- ✓ 7-barrel to 30-barrel+ systems
- ✓ Fermentation tanks and bright tanks
- ✓ Canning and bottling lines
- ✓ Copper pot stills and distillery systems
- ✓ Decision in 24–48 hours
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Brewery & Distillery Equipment Financing — Complete Guide
7-barrel pilot systems to 30-barrel+ commercial brewhouses, fermentation tanks, canning lines, and copper pot stills — with 2024 prices, financing terms, and SBA options for startups.
Key Facts: Brewery & Distillery Equipment Financing
- 7-Barrel Pilot System: $25,000–$80,000 | 15-Barrel Commercial: $80,000–$250,000
- 30-Barrel+ System: $200,000–$600,000+ | Fermentation Tanks: $5,000–$50,000 each
- Canning/Bottling Lines: $30,000–$300,000+ | Distillery Stills: $20,000–$500,000+
- Top Brands: SS Brewtech, Marks Design, Specific Mechanical, Vendome Copper
- Lender Requirement: 2+ years in business typical for conventional loans
- Startup Path: SBA 7(a) with government guarantee up to 85%
- Tax Benefit: Section 179 deduction up to $1.16M (2024) on qualifying equipment
The Craft Beverage Industry and Equipment Financing
The craft brewing and distilling industries exploded in the 2010s and now represent a mature, densely competitive segment. The US has over 9,500 craft breweries and more than 2,200 craft distilleries — and both industries have elevated failure rates compared to other small businesses. Lenders know this. The financing landscape for breweries and distilleries is more conservative than for, say, construction equipment or medical equipment, because the collateral (stainless steel tanks and copper stills) is industry-specific and harder to remarket if a business closes.
That said, brewery and distillery equipment does retain meaningful value. Stainless steel fermentation tanks are liquid — there is always a secondary market among new entrants. Copper stills from Vendome Copper or Forsyths retain value as both functional equipment and copper commodity. Lenders who specialize in food and beverage manufacturing understand this market and will extend competitive financing to qualified borrowers.
The most important financing distinction in this industry is the 2-year mark. Under 2 years in business, nearly all conventional equipment lenders will decline brewery and distillery applications. The SBA 7(a) loan program was specifically designed for this scenario — it allows SBA-approved lenders to extend credit to startups and higher-risk businesses by providing a government guarantee on up to 85% of the loan principal.
Brewing System Prices — 7-Barrel to 30-Barrel+
| System Size | Type | New Price Range | Brands | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5-barrel (half bbl) | Pilot/Nanobrewery | $12,000–$35,000 | SS Brewtech, Blichmann | Pilot batches, taproom-only |
| 7-barrel | Pilot / Small Commercial | $25,000–$80,000 | SS Brewtech, Marks Design | Taproom + limited distribution |
| 10-barrel | Small Commercial | $50,000–$130,000 | Specific Mechanical, JV Northwest | Regional distribution start |
| 15-barrel | Commercial | $80,000–$250,000 | Specific Mechanical, Marks Design | Regional craft production |
| 20-barrel | Commercial | $120,000–$380,000 | Specific Mechanical, Premier Stainless | Multi-state distribution |
| 30-barrel+ | Large Commercial | $200,000–$600,000+ | Specific Mechanical, DME | High-volume production |
| 50-barrel+ | Production Brewery | $400,000–$1,500,000+ | DME, Steinecker, BrauKon | Regional/national brands |
Fermentation Tanks, Bright Tanks, and Conditioning Equipment
Fermentation vessels and bright tanks represent a major share of total brewery capital investment. Most craft breweries operate at a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio of fermentation capacity to brewhouse capacity — meaning a 15-barrel brewhouse typically needs 45–60 barrels of fermentation tank capacity to run continuous production.
| Equipment | Capacity | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conical Fermenter | 7-barrel | $5,000–$12,000 | Single-wall or jacketed |
| Conical Fermenter | 15-barrel | $10,000–$22,000 | Glycol-jacketed standard |
| Conical Fermenter | 30-barrel | $18,000–$40,000 | Requires glycol system |
| Unitank (FV/BT combo) | 15-barrel | $12,000–$28,000 | Ferment and condition in one vessel |
| Bright Tank | 7-barrel | $4,000–$10,000 | Carbonation and serving vessel |
| Bright Tank | 20-barrel | $12,000–$30,000 | For high-volume packaging runs |
| Glycol Chiller System | Per brewery | $8,000–$40,000 | Required for fermentation temp control |
| Brite/Serving Tank Bank | Multiple tanks | $20,000–$150,000 | Taproom draft system infrastructure |
Canning and Bottling Line Financing
Packaging equipment — canning and bottling lines — is often the single largest capital purchase outside of the brewhouse itself. Canning lines have largely replaced bottling lines at craft breweries due to consumer preference for cans, better oxygen exclusion, and lower shipping weight. Wild Goose Canning, Cask Global, and XpressFill are leading suppliers in the craft segment.
| Line Type | Speed | Price Range | Automation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counter-pressure can filler | 15–25 CPM | $30,000–$65,000 | Semi-automatic | Small taproom packaging |
| Wild Goose 35 | 35 CPM | $75,000–$120,000 | Fully automatic | Small distribution brewery |
| Wild Goose 60 | 60 CPM | $130,000–$200,000 | Fully automatic | Regional distribution |
| Cask Global High-Speed | 150+ CPM | $200,000–$350,000 | Fully automatic | Production brewery |
| Bottling Line — Semi-Auto | 20–40 BPM | $20,000–$60,000 | Semi-automatic | Specialty/Belgian formats |
| Bottling Line — Full Auto | 100+ BPM | $80,000–$200,000 | Fully automatic | High-volume bottled beer |
Distillery Still Systems — Pricing and Financing
Distillery equipment financing covers a wide spectrum — from small 50-gallon craft stills to large industrial column still systems. The still is the defining piece of capital equipment for any distillery, and copper still construction from established manufacturers like Vendome Copper (Louisville, KY) represents the gold standard for whiskey, bourbon, and specialty spirits production.
| Still Type | Capacity | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Pot Still — Small | 50–100 gallon | $20,000–$50,000 | Craft spirits, gin, vodka |
| Copper Pot Still — Medium | 200–500 gallon | $45,000–$120,000 | Craft whiskey, rum |
| Vendome Copper Pot Still | 500+ gallon | $100,000–$300,000 | Premium bourbon, whiskey |
| Hybrid Pot/Column Still | Varies | $60,000–$200,000 | Versatile spirits production |
| Column Still — Continuous | 500+ gallons/hr | $150,000–$500,000+ | High-volume neutral spirits |
| Mash Cooker / Fermenters | Per distillery | $15,000–$80,000 | Grain mashing for whiskey |
| Barrel Warehouse Racking | Per facility | $20,000–$150,000 | Aged spirits production |
Brewery vs. Distillery Financing — Key Differences
| Factor | Brewery | Distillery |
|---|---|---|
| Startup Capital Required | $150,000–$1,000,000+ | $250,000–$2,000,000+ |
| Equipment Collateral Quality | Strong (SS tanks widely remarketable) | Strong (copper has commodity value) |
| Time-to-Revenue | 2–4 months after equipment install | 1–3 years (aged spirits) |
| Lender Comfort Level | Moderate — established market | Lower — longer capital cycle |
| SBA 7(a) Usage | Very common for startups | Highly recommended for startups |
| OEM Financing Available | Limited — few manufacturer programs | Limited — dealer-arranged financing |
| Typical Loan Term | 48–72 months | 60–84 months (longer asset life) |
| Down Payment Requirement | 10–20% established / 20–30% startup | 10–25% established / 25–35% startup |
Financing Options for Breweries and Distilleries
| Financing Type | Provider Type | Best For | Typical Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) Loan | SBA-approved bank | Startups, expansion, high-risk | Up to $5M, 10-year equipment term |
| Conventional Equipment Loan | Specialty food/bev lenders | Established 2+ year operations | 48–72 months, 7–12% rate |
| Equipment Lease (FMV) | Manufacturing equipment lessors | Conserve capital, upgrade often | 36–60 month FMV lease |
| USDA Business & Industry | USDA-approved lenders | Rural breweries and distilleries | Up to $25M, competitive rates |
| Seller Financing | Equipment dealers/brokers | Used equipment, startup operators | 12–36 months, higher rates |
| Section 179 Deduction | Any lender | Profitable operations, year-end tax | Full deduction up to $1.16M (2024) |
Ready to Finance Your Brewery or Distillery?
Get matched with lenders who understand craft beverage equipment — from 7-barrel pilot systems to full commercial brewhouses and copper pot stills.
Frequently Asked Questions — Brewery & Distillery Equipment Financing
Why do lenders require 2+ years in business for brewery financing?
Breweries and distilleries are among the highest-failure small businesses in the US — industry data shows 60% of craft breweries close within 5 years. Lenders respond by requiring 2+ years of operating history, positive cash flow, and often a personal guarantee. Startups with under 2 years can access SBA 7(a) loans (which use a government guarantee to reduce lender risk), equipment-only financing where the machinery itself secures the debt, or seller financing through equipment dealers.
What does a 7-barrel brewing system cost to finance?
A new 7-barrel (7-bbl) pilot or small commercial brewing system from SS Brewtech or Marks Design ranges from $25,000 to $80,000 depending on configuration, automation level, and auxiliary equipment. At $50,000 financed over 60 months at 8.5%, the monthly payment is approximately $1,025. Many equipment lenders will approve a 7-bbl system for an established craft brewery with standard documentation — 2 years tax returns, business bank statements, and a personal guarantee.
Can I finance a copper pot still for a distillery?
Yes. Copper pot stills from Vendome Copper and similar manufacturers range from $20,000 (small craft still) to $500,000+ (large commercial continuous still systems). Financing is available through specialized manufacturing equipment lenders. Stills are fixed assets with strong salvage value — the copper alone retains commodity value, which lenders consider when evaluating collateral. Expect to provide a state distillery license, business plan, and 2 years financials for amounts over $100,000.
What is the SBA 7(a) loan and when does it make sense for a brewery?
The SBA 7(a) loan program provides a government guarantee (up to 85%) on loans to qualifying small businesses, allowing lenders to extend credit to higher-risk borrowers — including startup breweries and distilleries. SBA 7(a) loans can fund up to $5 million, with terms up to 10 years for equipment (25 years for real estate). The trade-off is documentation: SBA loans require extensive paperwork including business plan, 3 years of projections, personal financial statement, and SBA forms. Processing typically takes 30–90 days vs. 2–5 days for standard equipment loans.
How much does a full commercial canning or bottling line cost?
Commercial canning lines range from $30,000 (small 30-can-per-minute semi-automatic line) to $300,000+ (high-speed 300+ CPM fully automated lines from Wild Goose Canning or Cask). Bottling lines run slightly lower at $20,000–$200,000. Most craft breweries finance canning/bottling lines separately from their brewhouse as a distinct capital project. Equipment lenders treat canning lines as manufacturing equipment with 3–7 year useful life and will typically finance 80–100% of appraised value.
Does my brewery or distillery equipment qualify for Section 179 tax deduction?
Yes. Brewery and distillery equipment — including brewing systems, fermentation tanks, stills, canning lines, and refrigeration — qualifies for Section 179 expensing up to $1.16 million (2024 limit) in the year placed in service. This allows a profitable brewery to deduct the full equipment cost against income in year one rather than depreciating over 5–7 years. Combined with bonus depreciation (still available on a phased schedule through 2026), Section 179 can significantly reduce the effective cost of a major equipment purchase.