Mash Tun Finance

Q: Is a mash tun financed separately from the rest of the brewhouse?

Not usually if you are buying a new brewhouse: the mash tun, kettle, whirlpool and pipework are normally sold and financed as one system. A standalone mash tun purchase is more common when an established brewery is upsizing brew length and replacing just that vessel, keeping its existing kettle, or when a mash tun is bought to pair with a kettle sourced separately. Either way, lenders assess it the same way, as a stainless vessel with a resale value.

Q: Can I finance a combined mash/lauter tun?

Yes. Most brewhouses at craft scale use a combined mash and lauter tun rather than separate vessels, and this is financed as a single asset in the same way as any other mash tun. The combined design is generally the more common and more cost-effective option at brew lengths up to around 50HL, which is reflected in the price bands most lenders and suppliers work to.

Q: What deposit is typical for a mash tun?

If bought as part of a full brewhouse, the deposit follows the brewhouse terms, typically 10 to 20% on hire purchase. If financed as a standalone replacement vessel, the same range usually applies, though an established brewery with a strong trading history and other financed brewing assets may be offered better terms than a first-time buyer.

Q: Can I finance a used mash tun?

Yes, used mash tuns from established brewhouse manufacturers are financeable, typically up to around 10 years old, subject to an independent inspection of the vessel, false bottom or lauter screen, and any grant plates or rakes. Buying a used mash tun to pair with a new kettle is one route some start-ups take to reduce the total cost of a first brewhouse.

Q: Why would I replace a mash tun before it fails?

The most common reason is brew length: as a brewery grows, its mash tun can become the limiting factor on batch size even if the vessel itself is in good condition, because it simply cannot hold enough grain and liquor for a bigger brew. Replacing it to match a bigger kettle and bigger fermenters is a capacity decision, not a repair, which is why financing it as an upgrade alongside other vessel purchases is common.

Spread the cost of a mash tun from £8,000 to £120,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance, compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a mash tun?

Yes, mash tuns 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 £8,000 to £120,000, 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.

Typical Cost

£8k – £120k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £35k

Rates From

5.0% APR

What would a mash tun cost per month?

Mash Tun price (ex VAT) £30,000

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 mash tun price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 5.4% APR
Term: 12–72 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Breweries wanting to own the vessel outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 5.0% APR
Term: 12–72 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient, claim the lease payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.7% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Upsize brew length without a large upfront outlay

Representative example

On a purchase price of £30,000: a 10% deposit of £3,000, then 48 monthly payments of £633 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £33,384, 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
5 Barrel Mash Tun	£9,000 – £16,000	Pilot / Nano System
10 Barrel Mash Tun	£16,000 – £28,000	Small Craft System
20HL Mash/Lauter Tun	£30,000 – £55,000	Mid-Scale System
50HL Mash/Lauter Tun	£65,000 – £110,000	Production System

Tax benefits

A mash tun 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 mash tun is usually bought as part of a full brewhouse when a brewery first fits out, and financed as one facility alongside the kettle and whirlpool. Where it is bought on its own, it is typically an established brewery upsizing brew length, replacing a smaller mash tun with one matched to bigger fermenters and a bigger kettle it has already bought or is buying at the same time, rather than replacing a tun that has failed. Combined mash/lauter tuns from established brewhouse manufacturers hold their value well, so a used market exists for breweries buying a first mash tun on a tighter budget, and an existing mash tun can be used as security when refinancing to fund the next stage of a brewhouse upgrade.

Frequently asked questions

Is a mash tun financed separately from the rest of the brewhouse?

Not usually if you are buying a new brewhouse: the mash tun, kettle, whirlpool and pipework are normally sold and financed as one system. A standalone mash tun purchase is more common when an established brewery is upsizing brew length and replacing just that vessel, keeping its existing kettle, or when a mash tun is bought to pair with a kettle sourced separately. Either way, lenders assess it the same way, as a stainless vessel with a resale value.

Can I finance a combined mash/lauter tun?

Yes. Most brewhouses at craft scale use a combined mash and lauter tun rather than separate vessels, and this is financed as a single asset in the same way as any other mash tun. The combined design is generally the more common and more cost-effective option at brew lengths up to around 50HL, which is reflected in the price bands most lenders and suppliers work to.

What deposit is typical for a mash tun?

If bought as part of a full brewhouse, the deposit follows the brewhouse terms, typically 10 to 20% on hire purchase. If financed as a standalone replacement vessel, the same range usually applies, though an established brewery with a strong trading history and other financed brewing assets may be offered better terms than a first-time buyer.

Can I finance a used mash tun?