What is the startup cost for a brewery?
Average Cost of Opening a Brewery Even microbreweries or small operations cost at least $250,000 to open. For larger breweries with more varied craft beer offerings, startup costs can reach as high as $2 million. On average, the cost to start a brewery is in the range of $500,000 to $1.5 million.
How profitable is a craft brewery?
Through our team’s extensive experience working with craft breweries, we’ve seen a 3,000-barrel brewery making almost $3 million in revenue while profiting $300,000. Ninety percent of sales come from the taproom. We’ve also seen a 3,000-barrel brewery making almost $3 million in revenue while profiting $50,000.

How often do breweries fail?
Although the number of craft breweries has increased exponentially over the last 30 years, many Craft Breweries have not survived. According to the chief economist at the Brewers Association, there is a 48.5% failure rate for Brewpubs and a 24% failure rate for microbreweries since 1980 (Bart Watson, 2014).
How much does it cost to open a nano brewery?
From equipment costs to building expenses to licensing, the cost of opening even a small brewery can be staggering. And that’s before you brew your first batch. The equipment costs for starting a nano brewery may be significantly lower than those for a full-sized brewery – although a new turnkey 3-barrel system can still run upwards of $45,000.
Should you open a nanobrewery?

With aspirations to take a homebrewing hobby pro, a more affordable option is opening a nanobrewery (we at BYO define nanos as five barrels or less). Equipment and space is smaller, sales are primarily on-site, and if run well it can lead to profitability. Three pros weigh in on the decisions they made to open nanobreweries.
How much does it cost to get a Brewers notice?
Federal Brewers Notice: There is no cost for your Brewers Notice, but you must also obtain a brewers bond, which will cost $1,000. Forms are available online at ttb.gov.
How do new breweries get capital?
That leaves many of the “traditional” methods brewers have been using for the past 30 years: cashing in retirement plans, borrowing from friends and family, selling or mortgaging a house. But, as the number of nano breweries has soared, prospective brewers have tapped a number of new sources for startup capital.