Can you finance a brewery equipment?

Yes, brewery equipments are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £10,000 to £500,000, and most deals are written over 12–72 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–48 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Brewery Equipment Finance: Rates, Options & Eligibility

Q: Can I finance a full brewery set-up?

Yes, most lenders let you bundle the brewhouse, fermenters, bright tanks and packaging line into a single finance agreement rather than financing each vessel separately. This suits a start-up craft brewer building a first brewhouse from scratch, where the whole system is specified and quoted as one project by the equipment supplier. Putting the full set-up on one agreement means a single monthly payment and one application to manage, which is generally simpler than running separate facilities for the brewhouse, cellar tanks and packaging equipment, particularly while the business is still establishing its trading pattern and cashflow.

Q: What deposit do I need for brewery equipment finance?

For hire purchase, most lenders ask for a 10-20% deposit, while finance leases and operating leases can often be arranged with no deposit at all. This matters most at start-up stage, when founders need as much cash as possible left over for stock, staff and the first months of trading rather than tied up in a deposit on the brewhouse and tanks. An established brewery expanding capacity with a proven trading history will generally find the deposit less of a constraint than a first-time brewer setting up from scratch.

Q: Can I finance used brewing equipment?

Yes, most lenders finance used brewing equipment up to around 8 years old. Stainless steel brewing vessels retain their value well given the material and relatively simple mechanics involved, so a well-maintained used brewhouse or set of fermenters from an established manufacturer is often a realistic and more affordable route into brewing than buying new. An independent inspection is typically required to check for corrosion, seal condition and any modifications made by the previous owner before a lender agrees terms on used equipment.

Q: Can new breweries get equipment finance?

Yes, but options are more limited under two years of trading. A start-up brewer will typically need a personal guarantee, a clear business plan, and ideally evidence such as confirmed pre-orders or distribution agreements to support the application, since the lender has no trading history to assess the business against. Specialist lenders active in the drinks and hospitality sector are generally comfortable working with first-time brewers, but expect a more detailed application than an established brewery would need to provide when simply expanding existing capacity.

Q: What happens at the end of a brewery equipment finance agreement?

Hire purchase transfers full ownership of the brewhouse and tanks once the agreement is paid off, which suits most breweries since brewing vessels are typically kept and used for many years once installed. A finance lease usually offers a balloon payment to take ownership, continued rental, or handover to the funder, while an operating lease is return-only. Because brewery equipment is generally plumbed into the building and used for the long term rather than upgraded on a fixed cycle, hire purchase is the option most breweries choose.

Q: Is VAT charged on brewery equipment finance, and can I reclaim it?

Hire purchase is normally treated as a supply of goods, so VAT is generally due upfront on the full price, while a finance lease is treated as a supply of services, with VAT charged on each rental instalment instead. If your brewery is VAT registered, you can typically reclaim the VAT you are charged under the normal input tax rules, which is worth factoring into the cashflow planning for a start-up brewhouse where every early outgoing matters. If you are not VAT registered, the VAT simply forms part of the cost being financed.

Typical Cost

£10k – £500k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £75k

Rates From

4.8% APR

What would a brewery equipment cost per month?

Brewery Equipment price (ex VAT) £80,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical brewery equipment price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 5.2% APR
Term: 12–72 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Breweries wanting to own equipment outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 4.8% APR
Term: 12–72 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient, claim 100% of payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.5% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Scale brewing capacity without large capital outlay.

Representative example

On a purchase price of £80,000: a 10% deposit of £8,000, then 48 monthly payments of £1,688 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £89,024, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

What buyers actually specify

Guide prices for sizing a finance agreement, not quotes. Manufacturers in this market mostly price on application, so where a current UK list price could not be confirmed the row describes a specification class rather than naming a model. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Ss Brewtech 10 BBL Brewhouse	£40,000 – £70,000	10 BBL System
BrauKon 20 HL Brewhouse	£80,000 – £150,000	20 HL System
Cask Marque Cellar Cooling	£8,000 – £20,000	Cellar System
CFT Group Canning Line	£60,000 – £120,000	Canning Line

Tax benefits

Brewery equipment qualifies for Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), letting you deduct the full cost from taxable profits in year one, up to £1,000,000. HP allows capital allowances. Lease payments are fully deductible.

Market context

Brewery kit is bought by two different buyers: a start-up craft brewer fitting out a first brewhouse, and an established brewery expanding capacity or replacing a fermenter that has reached the end of its working life. Finance matters most at start-up stage, when the brewhouse, tanks and cellar equipment are the largest outlay in the business plan and founders need capital left for stock and staff. Replacement in an established brewery tends to follow capacity constraints or a shift in beer style rather than equipment wearing out. A reasonable used market for tanks and brewhouses from well-known manufacturers helps keep finance affordable for start-ups buying good secondhand kit.

Bad credit?

Some specialist lenders consider businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options may be available. Fundably may use a soft credit check for matching, which does not affect your credit score. A hard check may happen if you choose to proceed with a lender.

Frequently asked questions

Can I finance a full brewery set-up?

Yes, most lenders let you bundle the brewhouse, fermenters, bright tanks and packaging line into a single finance agreement rather than financing each vessel separately. This suits a start-up craft brewer building a first brewhouse from scratch, where the whole system is specified and quoted as one project by the equipment supplier. Putting the full set-up on one agreement means a single monthly payment and one application to manage, which is generally simpler than running separate facilities for the brewhouse, cellar tanks and packaging equipment, particularly while the business is still establishing its trading pattern and cashflow.

What deposit do I need for brewery equipment finance?

For hire purchase, most lenders ask for a 10-20% deposit, while finance leases and operating leases can often be arranged with no deposit at all. This matters most at start-up stage, when founders need as much cash as possible left over for stock, staff and the first months of trading rather than tied up in a deposit on the brewhouse and tanks. An established brewery expanding capacity with a proven trading history will generally find the deposit less of a constraint than a first-time brewer setting up from scratch.

Can I finance used brewing equipment?

Yes, most lenders finance used brewing equipment up to around 8 years old. Stainless steel brewing vessels retain their value well given the material and relatively simple mechanics involved, so a well-maintained used brewhouse or set of fermenters from an established manufacturer is often a realistic and more affordable route into brewing than buying new. An independent inspection is typically required to check for corrosion, seal condition and any modifications made by the previous owner before a lender agrees terms on used equipment.

Can new breweries get equipment finance?

Yes, but options are more limited under two years of trading. A start-up brewer will typically need a personal guarantee, a clear business plan, and ideally evidence such as confirmed pre-orders or distribution agreements to support the application, since the lender has no trading history to assess the business against. Specialist lenders active in the drinks and hospitality sector are generally comfortable working with first-time brewers, but expect a more detailed application than an established brewery would need to provide when simply expanding existing capacity.

What happens at the end of a brewery equipment finance agreement?

Hire purchase transfers full ownership of the brewhouse and tanks once the agreement is paid off, which suits most breweries since brewing vessels are typically kept and used for many years once installed. A finance lease usually offers a balloon payment to take ownership, continued rental, or handover to the funder, while an operating lease is return-only. Because brewery equipment is generally plumbed into the building and used for the long term rather than upgraded on a fixed cycle, hire purchase is the option most breweries choose.

Is VAT charged on brewery equipment finance, and can I reclaim it?

Hire purchase is normally treated as a supply of goods, so VAT is generally due upfront on the full price, while a finance lease is treated as a supply of services, with VAT charged on each rental instalment instead. If your brewery is VAT registered, you can typically reclaim the VAT you are charged under the normal input tax rules, which is worth factoring into the cashflow planning for a start-up brewhouse where every early outgoing matters. If you are not VAT registered, the VAT simply forms part of the cost being financed.

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Brewery Equipment Finance