Whether you're a passionate homebrewer dreaming of going commercial, or an entrepreneur entering the growing craft beer market, one of your first and most important questions will be:
"How much does brewery equipment actually cost?"
The answer is both simple and complex: it depends—on your production scale, the type of beer you want to brew, your location, and how automated or manual you want your process to be.
When discussing brewery equipment pricing, it’s important to distinguish between different types and scales of beer production. Equipment for a small 3-barrel (BBL) brewpub is vastly different from what’s needed for a 50-BBL production facility distributing regionally.
Here are a few key variables that impact overall cost:
Brewery size (BBL capacity)
Level of automation
Materials used (e.g., stainless steel vs. copper)
Equipment configuration (compact brewhouse vs. modular design)
Country of origin and compliance standards
Installation and infrastructure requirements
Before diving into the financials, it's crucial to understand the core components that make up a complete brewery equipment setup. Whether you're designing a nano-brewery or a mid-sized production facility, these elements form the operational backbone of your brewing process.
Here’s an expanded overview of the equipment commonly included in a brewery setup:
This is the heart of any brewery and includes the vessels required for the actual brewing process:
Mash Tun – Where milled grains (grist) are mixed with hot water to activate enzymes and convert starches into sugars.
Lauter Tun – Used to separate the liquid wort from the spent grains.
Kettle – Where the wort is boiled and hops are added to contribute bitterness, flavor, and aroma.
Whirlpool – Helps in settling and removing hop particles and protein after the boil, yielding a clearer wort.
These tanks can be integrated into a 2-vessel, 3-vessel, or even 4-vessel system depending on the desired capacity and efficiency.
These pressure-rated stainless steel tanks are where yeast is added to wort, initiating fermentation to produce alcohol and CO₂.
Modern FVs come with:
Conical bottoms for yeast harvesting
Glycol jackets for precise temperature control
Sample valves and pressure gauges
CIP spray balls for cleaning
The number and size of fermentation tanks largely determine your production capacity and turnover rate.
After fermentation, beer is transferred into bright tanks for conditioning, carbonation, and temporary storage prior to packaging.
They are equipped with:
Carbonation stones
Sight gauges
Cooling jackets
Optional pressure filling ports for kegging or bottling
BBTs help ensure beer clarity and stability before it reaches the consumer.
HLT stores and heats brewing water, often using steam or electric coils.
CLT holds chilled water used for cooling wort or servicing the heat exchanger.
Together, they support thermal efficiency in both brewing and cleaning cycles.
Essential for maintaining optimal fermentation temperatures and crash cooling, a glycol cooling system usually includes:
Glycol Chiller Unit
Insulated Glycol Holding Tank
Glycol circulation pump
Piping and valves to each FV and BBT
Glycol systems offer reliable, consistent cooling especially in larger breweries or warm climates.
Hygiene is non-negotiable in brewing. A dedicated CIP system automates the cleaning of tanks and piping, minimizing downtime and ensuring compliance with sanitation standards.
Includes acid, caustic, and sanitizer tanks
Automated circulation and rinsing sequences
Integrated temperature control and dosing pumps
The control system can be manual, semi-automated, or fully automated. It allows operators to manage:
Heating and cooling operations
Pump control
Temperature and pressure monitoring
Batch scheduling and system alarms
Advanced systems may include touchscreen HMIs or SCADA integration for remote control and data logging.
These critical components transport liquids between tanks and systems. High-grade stainless steel materials and sanitary design ensure no contamination during transfer. Considerations include:
Centrifugal and diaphragm pumps
Butterfly and ball valves
Tri-clamp fittings and flexible hoses
Proper fluid dynamics improve process efficiency and minimize energy use.
To maintain freshness and control over the mash, most breweries mill their malt on-site.
A complete grain handling system includes:
Two-roller or four-roller mills
Hopper and storage silo
Screw augers for automated grain delivery
Dust collection units for worker safety
Custom solutions can be designed based on brewery layout and batch size.
Depending on your distribution strategy, you may require a packaging line. Options include:
Semi-automatic keg washers and fillers
Bottle and can filling machines
Cappers/seamers, labelers, and conveyors
Inline or rotary systems for different speeds and capacities
Even small systems benefit from partial automation, which improves packaging speed and consistency while reducing labor.
Estimated cost: $50,000 – $100,000 USD
Perfect for R&D, brewpubs, or small-batch operations, nano breweries use smaller tanks and often include more manual labor. They’re a great low-risk way to test the waters of commercial brewing.
Pros: Lower startup costs, fits in limited space, quicker installation.
Cons: Limited production volume, higher cost-per-liter.
Estimated cost: $100,000 – $250,000 USD
A microbrewery can produce enough beer for local distribution or to serve an in-house taproom. These systems may include semi-automated controls and better heat exchange systems.
Pros: Sustainable for small business operations, scalable.
Cons: Higher complexity in setup, more space needed.
Estimated cost: $300,000 – $800,000+ USD
At this level, you're looking at full-scale beer production. These systems often include multiple fermentation vessels, automated controls, larger heat exchangers, and advanced sanitation systems.
Pros: Higher output for regional distribution, greater efficiency.
Cons: Large capital requirement, more complex infrastructure.
Estimated cost: $1 million – $5 million USD+
Large-scale brewing facilities often custom-design their systems to meet industrial efficiency standards. They use highly automated brewing lines, integrated bottling and packaging equipment, and energy recovery systems.
Pros: Large capacity, full automation, excellent ROI at scale.
Cons: Requires dedicated real estate, extensive planning and permits.
Beyond the core beer equipment, there are several additional costs you’ll need to factor into your brewery budget:
Electrical upgrades
Water supply and filtration
Drainage and wastewater management
Ventilation and HVAC
Even if you purchase equipment pre-assembled, on-site installation, welding, and calibration can add significant labor and material costs.
Depending on your country or region, you may need to comply with specific brewing regulations, food safety standards, or alcohol licensing laws. This may require documentation, inspections, and custom engineering.
Even the best brewery equipment won't succeed without trained staff. Factor in training, onboarding, and workflow setup.
Here’s a simplified approach to planning your budget:
Category | Percentage of Budget |
Brewing Equipment | 40–60% |
Installation & Utilities | 15–25% |
Facility Modifications | 10–15% |
Licensing & Legal | 5–10% |
Operating Capital (6–12 mo.) | 10–20% |
This ensures you're not caught off-guard by "hidden" costs that are essential to getting up and running.
Used equipment can cut your costs by 30–50%, but comes with risk: limited warranty, potential wear, and compatibility issues.
New equipment, especially from experienced manufacturers, comes with design consultation, warranties, and customization options—which are invaluable if you're planning a long-term operation.
If you’re unsure, many brewers start with a hybrid: purchasing critical systems new (like the brewhouse and FVs), and acquiring support systems (like kegs or chillers) second-hand.
Choosing a reliable equipment partner is as important as selecting the right brewhouse size. A trustworthy supplier offers:
Transparent pricing
Customization options
After-sales technical support
Installation guidance
Experience with international certifications and export logistics
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to “how much brewery equipment costs.” But with thoughtful planning, a clear understanding of your production goals, and the right equipment partner, building your brewery becomes an achievable dream—not just a spreadsheet of unknowns.
If you’re exploring options for brewery equipment—whether it’s a compact nano system or a fully integrated commercial brewhouse—companies like www.cbetbrew.com offer valuable insight and customized solutions. Their experience in designing and manufacturing beer equipment for global clients can help you find the right system that fits both your budget and brewing ambitions.
To learn more or consult with a technical expert, consider visiting their site and exploring real-world brewery project examples.
