Used Brewery & Distillery
Equipment Financing.

iLease Capital finances brewery & distillery equipment for commercial producers nationwide. The direct answer is that used brewhouses, fermenters, brite tanks, distillery systems, canning lines and glycol equipment can often be financed when the exact equipment, seller and condition are documented clearly. Pricing must be evaluated by equipment type rather than forcing every asset into one generic used-equipment range.

Used brewery pricing is system-specific. Small 3 to 5 bbl brewhouses can appear from roughly $10,000 to $40,000 depending on automation and completeness while 7 to 10 bbl systems can commonly reach roughly $25,000 to $75,000. Complete 15 bbl brewhouse and cellar packages can exceed $100,000. A current 15 bbl brewhouse and cellar package is listed at $120,000.

iLease Capital is an equipment-finance broker, not a bank. We work across 50+ lender relationships and match each transaction to an institutional funding partner based on the borrower, asset and seller. Call (866) 545-3273 to talk through your options with a specialist who understands this equipment. Start your application at ileasecapital.com/apply, it takes about three minutes and there's no hard credit pull.

What a Lender Evaluates First

The direct answer is brewhouse capacity, vessel count, heat source, controls, fermenter and brite-tank inventory, glycol system, pumps, cellar condition, canning or bottling equipment and installation. Recognizable names in this market include Blichmann, Ss Brewtech, Premier Stainless, Specific Mechanical and DME Brewing plus established canning and packaging manufacturers.

The quote should identify the exact model, serial number and configuration rather than only the equipment category. A lender is not financing "a tank" or "brewing equipment" in the abstract. It is evaluating a specific asset with a specific resale market.

A strong application also explains what the equipment does for the business. Replacing aging brewing equipment, adding fermentation capacity, reducing rental or contract-brewing expense, expanding cellar capacity or automating packaging are concrete reasons that help explain the purchase.

Brewhouse Size Changes the Project

The direct answer is that bbl capacity is only the beginning. A 3 bbl pilot or taproom brewhouse has a different buyer pool from a 15 bbl production system. Vessel count, heating method and automation matter too.

Small systems may use electric heating while larger systems may use direct fire or steam. Steam projects can require a boiler and code-compliant installation.

3 to 5 bbl Systems

The direct answer is that small brewhouses can be relatively portable and attractive to brewpubs, pilot facilities and small producers. Used asking prices can start around $10,000 and move toward $40,000 depending on controls, pumps and cellar package.

Document mash/lauter tun, kettle/whirlpool, hot-liquor tank, pumps and controls. A bare two-vessel skid is not comparable to a turnkey system with fermenters and glycol.

7 to 10 bbl Systems

These systems move into a broader production role. Used projects can fall around $25,000 to $75,000 or more depending on automation and included cellar.

Fermenter count matters because brewhouse capacity without cellar capacity cannot support the intended production schedule.

15 bbl and Larger Packages

The direct answer is that complete packages can exceed $100,000 even used. A current Ventura listing offers a 15 bbl brewhouse and cellar package at $120,000. That package includes a direct-fire brewhouse and associated cellar equipment so it should not be compared with a standalone brewhouse skid.

Fermenters, Brite Tanks and Glycol

Inspect vessel jackets, pressure ratings, manways, valves, welds and evidence of damage. Glycol chiller capacity should be matched to tank load.

Used stainless tanks can retain value but freight is substantial. Confirm rigging, door access and ceiling height.

Canning and Bottling

The direct answer is that packaging equipment can be a separate financeable asset. Identify filler type, heads, seamer or capper, conveyor, date coder and labeler. Run product or water through the line when practical.

Distillery Systems

Distillery equipment adds still, condenser, boiler or heating system, tanks and proofing or bottling equipment. Alcohol production is regulated so equipment financing does not replace federal, state or local licensing.

What Makes One Unit More Financeable Than Another

The direct answer is a recognizable asset, credible seller and documented operating condition. A newer model with common configuration and strong resale demand is usually easier to understand than a heavily modified asset with missing records. That does not mean older equipment cannot be financed.

Condition evidence matters. Photos, serial numbers, service records, inspection reports and running videos can explain why a particular unit deserves its asking price. A recent documented refrigeration replacement, pump service or controller repair can be useful. An undocumented repair after a major failure creates more questions.

Purchase price is not automatically collateral value. Dealer asking prices, auction results and marketplace listings provide context but differ in warranty, buyer premium, condition and included equipment.

How Lenders Evaluate Brewery and Distillery Equipment

Brewing and distilling projects are easier to evaluate when the quote shows the actual production system rather than a single broad equipment line. A brewhouse, fermenters, brite tanks, pumps, heat exchangers, canning equipment and a distillation system have different functions and useful lives.

For a brewery, useful details include brewhouse size, number and capacity of fermentation vessels, brite-tank capacity, glycol equipment, cellar layout and the packaging line included in the purchase. For a distillery, identify the still type and capacity, fermentation equipment, mash or cook system, condensers, tanks and bottling equipment.

Pressure-rated vessels deserve particular attention. The Brewers Association notes that brewing process tanks operating above 15 psi generally fall under ASME pressure-vessel rules. The buyer should obtain manufacturer documentation appropriate to the vessel and installation rather than relying on a generic tank description.

New vs. Used Brewery and Distillery Equipment

Qualifying new and used equipment can be considered but the diligence differs.

With new equipment, the quote should identify manufacturer, model or custom fabrication specifications, vessel capacity, material, controls, accessories, freight, installation and warranty. For custom-fabricated tanks or brewhouses, payment schedules and production lead times should also be clear.

For used equipment, ask about the original manufacturer, age, prior use, vessel condition, controls, pumps, valves and whether the system has already been removed from service. Confirm that all required components are included. A used brewhouse offered without controls, pumps or heat-exchange equipment may require a different budget than a turnkey system.

Used pressure vessels should be evaluated carefully. Confirm applicable vessel documentation, condition and suitability for the intended installation with qualified professionals.

Equipment Configuration and Project Scope

A brewery project can include a mill, brewhouse vessels, hot and cold liquor tanks, fermenters, brite tanks, glycol chiller, pumps, heat exchanger, filtration equipment, keg washer, canning or bottling line and quality-control equipment.

A distillery project can include grain handling, mash equipment, fermenters, pot or column stills, condensers, spirit receivers, storage tanks, pumps, bottling equipment and related controls.

A detailed bill of materials helps distinguish durable production equipment from construction, plumbing, electrical work, consumables, ingredients, licensing costs and other project expenses. Funding treatment of non-equipment costs can vary, so itemization matters.

Installation, Utilities and Site Readiness

Large brewing and distilling systems can require significant site preparation. Before equipment is ordered, understand electrical service, water, drainage, steam or direct-fire requirements, ventilation, glycol, compressed air and floor-loading needs for the selected system.

Tank placement and access also matter. Fermenters and brite tanks may need to pass through existing doors or be installed before portions of the facility are closed in. Distilling systems can have additional ventilation, fire-code and local permitting considerations.

Financing the equipment does not replace engineering, permitting or code review. Work with the equipment supplier and qualified local professionals to confirm that the facility can accept and operate the proposed system.

What Makes a Brewery or Distillery Equipment Quote Finance-Ready?

A strong quote identifies manufacturer or fabricator, vessel or machine description, capacity, quantity, major controls and accessories, total equipment price, freight, installation, warranty and expected delivery schedule.

If the project contains multiple vendors, provide each quote. If deposits or progress payments are required for custom fabrication, identify the payment schedule before financing is finalized.

Avoid a single line such as complete brewery package when the transaction includes many assets. The equipment can be evaluated more effectively when the system is itemized.

Matching Equipment Capacity to the Business Plan

A brewery adding cellar capacity may only need additional fermenters and a glycol expansion. A startup brewery may require the entire brewhouse, cellar and packaging workflow. A distillery expanding packaged spirits may need bottling and tank capacity rather than a new still.

The financing request should explain whether the purchase replaces equipment, adds capacity, brings a process in-house or supports a new product line. That context connects the equipment cost to the operating need.

Frequently asked questions