How Much Does Brewery Equipment Cost? A 20-Year Insider's Perspective

Hello everyone,

My name is Henry Chen. For the last 20 years, my company, CASSMAN, has helped over 500 breweries get their start. And in all that time, the very first question on nearly everyone's mind is the same: "How much does brewery equipment actually cost?"

I wish I could give you a single number. But if I did, I wouldn't be telling you the truth. The honest answer is, it's like asking "How much does a car cost?" Are you looking for a reliable sedan to get you to work, or a high-performance truck to haul heavy loads?

The cost of your brewery is tied directly to your dream.

So, instead of giving you a fake number, let me walk you through how a professional thinks about this investment. I'll give you real-world price ranges based on the three most common paths I see brewers take.

Path 1: The Nano-Brewery or Small Brewpub (3 BBL to 7 BBL System)

This is the heart of the craft beer movement. You want to open a community taproom, serve fresh beer directly to your neighbors, and have complete creative control. You're not focused on wide distribution yet.

For this dream, you're typically looking at:

• A 3 BBL to 7 BBL (approx. 300L to 800L) Brewhouse

• 4 to 6 Fermenters

• 1 or 2 Brite Tanks

• A Glycol Chiller, CIP Cart, and Control Panel

Realistic Equipment Cost Range: $40,000 - $80,000 USD

This is the price for the core brewing equipment itself. It's a significant range because it depends on the level of automation, the number of tanks, and the specific configuration. This is the sweet spot for launching a successful local brewpub.

Path 2: The Production Brewery (10 BBL to 20 BBL System)

Your goal is bigger. You're aiming for canning, bottling, and getting your beer into local stores and restaurants. You need to produce more beer, more efficiently. Consistency is everything.

For this business model, your equipment list grows:

• A 10 BBL to 20 BBL (approx. 1200L to 2500L) Brewhouse, often with more automation

• 8 to 16+ Fermenters (or more)

• A larger Glycol Chiller and more robust support systems

• Potentially a pilot system for recipe testing

Realistic Equipment Cost Range: $100,000 - $250,000+ USD

At this scale, you're making a serious manufacturing investment. The price jumps because the tanks are larger, the systems are more complex, and you need the capacity to support a distribution-focused business.

Path 3: The Large-Scale Regional Brewery (30 BBL and Up)

You are an established brand looking to expand your footprint across the region or country. You need maximum efficiency, high-level automation, and the ability to produce massive volumes of beer.

At this level, everything is custom.

• A fully automated 4 or 5-vessel Brewhouse

• A huge cellar of large-volume tanks

• Advanced process controls, grain handling, and packaging lines

Realistic Equipment Cost: Starts at $300,000 and can easily go into the millions.

These are custom-engineered projects, and the final cost depends entirely on the specific engineering and production targets.

The "Hidden" Costs That Nobody Talks About

I've seen too many brewers blow their budget because they only planned for the equipment quote. A trustworthy partner will tell you to plan for these as well:

1. Shipping, Rigging, and Import Duties: Getting heavy stainless steel from our factory to your door is a real cost. This can be 10-15% of the equipment price.

2. Installation: You will need certified plumbers, electricians, and possibly welders to connect everything. This is not a DIY job.

3. Site Preparation: This includes floor drains, ventilation, glycol line trenching, and upgrading your utilities.

4. Auxiliary Equipment: Don't forget the cold room, kegs, keg washer, lab equipment, and tap system. These add up quickly.

My Most Important Piece of Advice

After 20 years, if I could give you only one piece of advice, it would be this: Don't buy the brewery you need today. Buy the brewery you'll need in two years.

I have seen it a hundred times. A brewer buys a 5 BBL system to be "safe." Six months later, their beer is a local sensation, and they are brewing 24/7, unable to keep up with demand. The cost, time, and pain of ripping out a new system to install a bigger one is heartbreaking. If you think you need a 7 BBL system, get a quote for a 10 BBL. The upfront difference in cost is tiny compared to the cost of upgrading your entire facility later.

The cost of brewery equipment isn't an expense; it's an investment in your dream. Let's make sure it's the right one.

If you're ready to get a realistic, no-obligation budget for your specific vision, contact my team. We'd be honored to help you plan your future.