Malt Mill Finance

Q: Do I need my own malt mill or can I buy pre-milled malt?

Many smaller breweries buy pre-milled malt from their maltster to avoid the cost and complexity of milling on site, including dust extraction and storage for whole grain. Milling in-house gives more control over crush consistency, which affects how efficiently sugars are extracted during mashing, and lets a brewery adjust the crush for different mash tun designs or recipes. The decision usually comes down to brew length, recipe complexity and whether the brewery has the space for grain storage and a mill.

Q: Is a two-roller or four-roller mill better?

A two-roller mill crushes grain in a single pass and suits smaller brew lengths and simpler operations, while a four-roller mill crushes in two stages for a more consistent crush at higher throughput, which matters more as brew length and batch frequency increase. Many craft breweries start with a two-roller mill and move to four rollers once mash tun size and brewing frequency justify the extra cost and footprint.

Q: Can I finance a used malt mill?

Yes. Roller mills are mechanically simple with few parts to wear out, so used mills from established manufacturers are straightforward to finance, typically up to around 15 years old, subject to an inspection of the rollers and drive. A used mill is a practical way for a smaller brewery to bring milling in-house without committing to new equipment.

Q: What deposit is typical for a malt mill?

Hire purchase typically asks for a 10 to 20% deposit. Finance lease and operating lease usually require none. Given a malt mill is generally a lower-cost purchase than most other brewhouse equipment, some breweries include it in a wider brewhouse finance facility rather than financing it as a standalone item.

Q: Does milling in-house need extra equipment beyond the mill itself?

Usually yes; most breweries milling on site also need grain storage, whether bulk silos or bagged malt storage, and dust extraction to manage the fine particulate produced during milling. These are generally specified and costed alongside the mill itself when planning a brewhouse fit-out, and can typically be included in the same finance facility if bought at the same time.

Spread the cost of a malt mill from £3,000 to £60,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance, compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a malt mill?

Yes, malt mills 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 £3,000 to £60,000, and most deals are written over 12–60 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–48 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£3k – £60k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £15k

Rates From

5.1% APR

What would a malt mill cost per month?

Malt Mill price (ex VAT) £12,000

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 malt mill price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 5.5% APR
Term: 12–60 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Breweries wanting to own the mill outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 5.1% APR
Term: 12–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient, claim the lease payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.8% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Control your own grist without a large upfront outlay

Representative example

On a purchase price of £12,000: a 10% deposit of £1,200, then 48 monthly payments of £253 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £13,344, 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
Pilot Two-Roller Mill	£3,200 – £6,500	Two-Roller Mill
Small Craft Two-Roller Mill	£7,000 – £13,000	Two-Roller Mill
Production Four-Roller Mill	£15,000 – £32,000	Four-Roller Mill
High-Throughput Mill	£35,000 – £55,000	Four-Roller Mill

Tax benefits

A malt mill qualifies for capital allowances, so most of the purchase cost can be set against taxable profits well within the Annual Investment Allowance most brewing and distilling businesses have available in a given year. Hire purchase lets you claim allowances as the owner from day one. Finance lease and operating lease payments are typically deductible in full as a trading expense, which suits businesses that would rather smooth the deduction over the term than take it all upfront. Speak to your accountant about which structure suits your current tax position.

Market context

A malt mill lets a brewery crush its own grain rather than buying pre-milled malt, which gives direct control over crush consistency, an important factor in extraction efficiency during mashing, and is often bought once a brewery is established enough to justify the additional handling and dust extraction that on-site milling involves. Replacement is usually driven by brew length outgrowing the mill’s throughput rather than the mill failing, since roller mills are mechanically simple and long-lived; a brewery moving from a two-roller to a four-roller mill is typically matching a bigger mash tun it has already bought or is planning. Roller mills from established manufacturers hold their value reasonably well given their simplicity, supporting a used market for smaller breweries.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need my own malt mill or can I buy pre-milled malt?

Many smaller breweries buy pre-milled malt from their maltster to avoid the cost and complexity of milling on site, including dust extraction and storage for whole grain. Milling in-house gives more control over crush consistency, which affects how efficiently sugars are extracted during mashing, and lets a brewery adjust the crush for different mash tun designs or recipes. The decision usually comes down to brew length, recipe complexity and whether the brewery has the space for grain storage and a mill.

Is a two-roller or four-roller mill better?

A two-roller mill crushes grain in a single pass and suits smaller brew lengths and simpler operations, while a four-roller mill crushes in two stages for a more consistent crush at higher throughput, which matters more as brew length and batch frequency increase. Many craft breweries start with a two-roller mill and move to four rollers once mash tun size and brewing frequency justify the extra cost and footprint.

Can I finance a used malt mill?

Yes. Roller mills are mechanically simple with few parts to wear out, so used mills from established manufacturers are straightforward to finance, typically up to around 15 years old, subject to an inspection of the rollers and drive. A used mill is a practical way for a smaller brewery to bring milling in-house without committing to new equipment.

What deposit is typical for a malt mill?