Brewery Loans and Financing

Short answer: Most breweries finance brewing equipment with equipment financing, fund ingredients, cans and payroll with a business line of credit, and use a term or SBA loan for a taproom build-out, expansion or building purchase. Lenders focus on your sales history, production and distribution plans, licensing and how quickly new capacity turns into revenue.

At a glance

Best for equipment: Equipment financing (brewhouse, fermenters, canning lines)
Best for cash flow: Business line of credit
Best for expansion: Term loan or SBA 7(a) / 504 loan
NexGen amounts: $10,000 to $20,000,000 across programs
Approval speed: Typically 1 to 24 hours for many programs
Credit: 650+ on most programs; 500+ for revenue-based financing; 700+ for SBA loans

Craft brewing is capital-hungry from day one. A brewhouse, fermenters and a cooler come before the first pint is poured, and growth means more tanks, a canning line, a bigger taproom or a distribution push. This guide covers the best financing for microbreweries, brewpubs, taprooms, cideries and craft distilleries, and answers the questions brewery owners ask us most.

At NexGen Lending, we help beverage producers nationwide compare equipment, working capital and expansion financing with one application.

What is the best financing for a brewery?

Short answer: Equipment financing is usually the best fit for brewing equipment because the equipment secures the loan. A line of credit works best for recurring costs like ingredients, packaging and payroll, and a term or SBA loan suits one-time projects like a taproom build-out or new building.

Financing type	Best for
Equipment financing	Brewhouses, fermenters, brite tanks, glycol chillers, canning and kegging lines
Business line of credit	Malt, hops, cans and labels, payroll, seasonal swings
Term loans & unitranche debt	Taproom build-outs, patios, a second location
SBA 7(a) or 504 loan	Buying a building, major expansion, refinancing
Revenue-based financing	Taprooms with steady card sales and uneven months

How much does brewery equipment financing cover?

Short answer: NexGen equipment financing runs from $10,000 to $10,000,000, with up to 100% financing and no down payment for qualified borrowers. That can cover a full brewhouse, additional fermentation capacity or a canning line, and used equipment can often qualify too.

Adding tanks is one of the most direct ways to grow production, and equipment financing lets you do it without draining the cash you need for ingredients and payroll. Get quotes that include installation, glycol and utility work, since those costs add up quickly.

What do lenders look for in a brewery?

Short answer: Lenders look at time in business, monthly revenue and deposits, personal credit, taproom versus distribution sales, licensing, lease or property details, and how new equipment or space will increase revenue. Breweries with a track record and steady taproom sales have the most options.

Time in business, often 12 months or more
Monthly revenue split between taproom, distribution and events
Personal credit score
Federal and state licensing in good standing
Production volume and capacity utilization
Lease terms or property details
Equipment quotes for equipment financing

What is capacity utilization? It’s how much of your fermentation capacity you’re actually using. A brewery running near full capacity with steady demand makes a strong case that new tanks will turn into new revenue.

How do I qualify for a brewery loan?

Short answer: Keep your licenses current, run all sales through a business account, track production and sales by channel, get written equipment or contractor quotes, and apply while recent deposits are strong. A clear plan for how the money increases revenue makes approval much more likely.

Confirm licensing. Breweries need federal approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) plus state and local licenses. Keep them current.
Track sales by channel. Separate taproom, wholesale and event revenue so lenders can see what drives growth.
Get quotes. Written equipment and build-out quotes help lenders size the loan.
Plan for packaging minimums. Can and label orders often come with minimums, so budget working capital for them.
Apply after a strong season. Summer and holiday deposits make your application stronger.
Compare offers. See how we compare lender offers.

Can a new brewery get a loan?

Short answer: NexGen programs need some operating history. Revenue-based financing looks for steady deposits and a 500+ credit score, and most other programs need 12+ months in business and 650+ credit. NexGen programs are built for operating businesses, so brand-new owners often start with SBA microloans through nonprofit lenders, a CDFI or the local SBDC.

Opening a brewery can take many months between signing a lease, building out the space and receiving federal and state approval to brew. Budget for rent and payroll during that period.

How fast can a brewery get funded?

Short answer: Many NexGen programs approve in 1 to 24 hours, and equipment and working capital can fund quickly after approval. SBA loans and real estate purchases usually take several weeks because of appraisals and documentation.

Frequently asked questions about brewery financing

Can I finance used brewing equipment?

Often, yes. Lenders will ask for the manufacturer, size, age and condition. Used tanks from reputable sellers are commonly financed.

Should my brewery buy its building?

Owning protects you from rent increases and relocation risk, which matters when your equipment is plumbed into the space. An SBA 504 loan is often used when the business occupies at least 51% of the building.

How do I finance a canning line?

A canning line is usually covered by equipment financing. Show lenders how packaging will open new retail or distribution revenue.

Is a line of credit or a loan better for ingredients and cans?

A line of credit is usually better for recurring purchases, because you draw what you need and pay interest only on what you use.

What if my credit isn’t perfect?

With a 500 to 649 credit score, revenue-based financing is the main option, since it leans on sales more than credit. Most other NexGen programs, including equipment financing and lines of credit, require 650+, and SBA loans require 700+. Below 500, NexGen's business credit guidance can help you understand your credit profile and build toward approval.

Ready to add tanks or open your taproom? Apply now or call (908) 639-4361.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. NexGen figures come from NexGen’s service pages as of October 2026. Licensing requirements vary by state. Loan terms, rates, and eligibility vary by lender and program and are subject to approval. Availability varies by state.

Brewery Loans: How Breweries Get the Right Financing