This article was written by our expert who is surveying the industry and constantly updating business plan for a brewpub.
Our business plan for a brewpub will help you build a profitable project
Starting a brewpub combines the complexity of brewing beer with running a restaurant, which means double the equipment needs.
The challenge is balancing brewing equipment costs with kitchen and dining room essentials without blowing your budget.
Every brewpub has unique requirements, and equipment expenses can quickly get out of hand if you don't plan strategically from the start.
Complete Brewpub Equipment List
Launching a successful brewpub requires extensive planning and specialized equipment for both brewing operations and restaurant service. This comprehensive list covers everything needed to operate both sides of your business.
Brewing Equipment
- Brew kettle - Essential for wort boiling and hop addition processes
- Mash tun - Controls temperature for grain conversion to sugars
- Hot liquor tank - Stores heated water for brewing processes
- Fermentation tanks - Primary and secondary fermentation vessels
- Bright tanks - Final conditioning and carbonation before serving
- Heat exchanger - Rapidly cools wort to fermentation temperature
- Grain mill - Crushes malted grains to proper consistency
- Pumps - Transfers liquids between brewing vessels safely
- Glycol chiller - Maintains precise fermentation temperatures
- CIP system - Automated cleaning and sanitization equipment
- Boiler - Provides steam for heating brewing vessels
- Control panel - Monitors and controls brewing processes
- Hoses and fittings - Connects all brewing equipment securely
- Hydrometers/refractometers - Measures sugar content accurately
- pH meters - Tests acidity levels throughout brewing
Draft System
- Draft towers - Dispenses beer directly from serving tanks
- Keg couplers - Connects kegs to draft lines safely
- CO2 system - Pressurizes and carbonates beer properly
- Beer lines - Food-grade tubing for beer transport
- Glycol lines - Keeps beer cold from tank to tap
- Drip trays - Catches spills and maintains cleanliness
- Flow control valves - Regulates beer pour speed
- Line cleaning equipment - Maintains sanitary draft system
Kitchen Equipment
- Commercial range - High-BTU cooking for restaurant service
- Convection oven - Consistent baking and roasting capabilities
- Flat top grill - Versatile cooking surface for multiple items
- Deep fryer - Essential for appetizers and pub favorites
- Salamander broiler - Finishing and melting cheese applications
- Commercial refrigerator - Stores perishable food ingredients safely
- Walk-in cooler - Large capacity cold storage space
- Freezer units - Preserves proteins and frozen ingredients
- Prep tables - Stainless steel surfaces for food preparation
- Food processor - Efficiently processes vegetables and sauces
- Commercial mixer - Handles dough and batter preparations
- Slicer - Cuts meats and cheeses to consistent thickness
- Scales - Ensures accurate portion control and costing
- Cutting boards - Separate surfaces for different food types
- Knife sets - Essential tools for food preparation tasks
Bar Equipment
- Back bar cooler - Chills bottled beverages and mixers
- Ice machine - Produces adequate ice for bar service
- Glass washer - Quickly cleans glassware between uses
- Speed rails - Organizes frequently used spirits efficiently
- Cocktail shakers - Essential for mixed drink preparation
- Bar tools - Jiggers, strainers, and other mixing essentials
- Glassware - Beer glasses, cocktail glasses, and wine glasses
- Wine storage - Climate-controlled storage for wine inventory
- Bottle openers - Manual and automatic opening tools
- Bar mats - Protects surfaces and provides cushioning
Dining Room Equipment
- Tables and chairs - Comfortable seating for customer capacity
- Booth seating - Maximizes seating in available space
- Lighting fixtures - Creates appropriate dining atmosphere
- Sound system - Background music and announcements
- POS terminals - Processes orders and payments efficiently
- Server stations - Organized areas for staff supplies
- High chairs - Accommodates families with young children
- Signage - Menu boards and promotional displays
Cleaning & Sanitation
- Three-compartment sink - Washing, rinsing, and sanitizing dishes
- Dishwasher - High-temperature commercial unit for efficiency
- Hand sinks - Separate areas for staff hand washing
- Sanitizer dispensers - Maintains hygiene standards throughout
- Chemical storage - Safe storage for cleaning compounds
- Mop sinks - Dedicated area for cleaning equipment
- Floor drains - Proper drainage for wet cleaning processes
- Cleaning chemicals - Food-safe sanitizers and degreasers
Storage & Organization
- Dry storage shelving - Organizes non-perishable ingredients
- Grain storage silos - Bulk storage for malted grains
- Chemical storage cabinets - Secure storage for brewing chemicals
- Keg storage racks - Organizes finished beer inventory
- Paper goods storage - Napkins, to-go containers, and supplies
Utilities & Infrastructure
- Ventilation system - Removes heat, steam, and cooking odors
- Electrical upgrades - High-capacity power for all equipment
- Plumbing systems - Water supply and drainage for all operations
- Gas lines - Supplies fuel for kitchen equipment
- Water treatment - Filters water for consistent brewing quality
- Compressed air system - Powers pneumatic equipment
Software & Technology
- Brewery management software - Tracks production and inventory
- Restaurant POS system - Integrates kitchen and bar operations
- Inventory management - Tracks food and beverage supplies
- Accounting software - Manages complex dual-business finances
- Recipe management - Standardizes both brewing and kitchen recipes
Safety & Compliance
- Fire suppression system - Required for kitchen and brewing areas
- Emergency exits - Clearly marked evacuation routes
- First aid stations - Handles workplace injuries quickly
- Safety equipment - Eye wash stations and emergency shutoffs
- Slip-resistant flooring - Prevents accidents in wet areas
Our financial plan for a brewpub will help you build a profitable project
What Equipment Budget Should You Plan?
Most brewpub owners invest between $200,000 and $800,000 on equipment, depending on their brewing capacity and restaurant size. You really can't go below $150,000 for even the smallest setup because you need both professional brewing systems and commercial kitchen equipment to operate legally and efficiently.
- Small Neighborhood Brewpub
A small brewpub with 3-5 barrel brewing system and basic restaurant needs around $150,000-$300,000, with the brewing system and kitchen equipment taking the majority of the budget.
- Medium-Sized Brewpub
A medium-sized brewpub with 10-15 barrel system and full restaurant typically runs $300,000-$500,000, including specialized brewing equipment and expanded kitchen capabilities.
- Large Brewpub
A large brewpub with 20+ barrel brewing capacity and extensive restaurant offerings can easily hit $500,000-$800,000, especially with automated brewing systems and full commercial kitchen.
Equipment Budget Examples
Small Neighborhood Brewpub ($150,000 - $300,000)
Small brewpubs focus on essential equipment for both brewing and food service. The goal is getting quality basics that can handle daily operations without overspending on capacity you won't use immediately.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing System | 3-5 barrel brew kettle, mash tun, hot liquor tank, basic controls, manual operation, glycol chiller | $40,000 - $70,000 |
| Fermentation | 4-6 fermentation tanks, 2-3 bright tanks, basic temperature control, manual transfer system | $25,000 - $45,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment | 6-burner range, convection oven, 2-basket fryer, prep tables, reach-in refrigerator, basic prep tools | $20,000 - $35,000 |
| Draft System | 8-12 tap tower, CO2 system, glycol lines, basic keg storage, manual cleaning system | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Bar Setup | Back bar cooler, ice machine, glass washer, basic bar tools, standard glassware collection | $12,000 - $20,000 |
| Dining Room | Tables and chairs for 50-75 guests, basic lighting, sound system, POS system | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Utilities & Installation | Basic electrical upgrades, plumbing connections, ventilation system, equipment installation | $20,000 - $35,000 |
| Cleaning & Safety | Three-compartment sink, dishwasher, hand sinks, basic fire suppression, cleaning supplies | $10,000 - $18,000 |
Medium-Sized Brewpub ($300,000 - $500,000)
Medium brewpubs need increased capacity and more sophisticated equipment to handle higher volume brewing and expanded food service. Investment focuses on efficiency and consistency across both operations.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing System | 10-15 barrel system with automated controls, steam heating, CIP system, advanced process monitoring | $80,000 - $120,000 |
| Fermentation | 8-12 fermentation tanks, 4-6 bright tanks, automated temperature control, glycol distribution system | $50,000 - $80,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment | 10-burner range, double convection ovens, char grill, multiple fryers, walk-in cooler, full prep line | $40,000 - $65,000 |
| Draft System | 16-20 tap system, automated cleaning, precision flow control, temperature monitoring | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Bar Equipment | Multiple coolers, large ice machine, high-capacity glass washer, extensive bar tools and glassware | $20,000 - $35,000 |
| Dining Room | Seating for 100-150 guests, professional lighting design, quality sound system, integrated POS | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Utilities & Systems | Upgraded electrical service, water treatment system, enhanced ventilation, professional installation | $35,000 - $55,000 |
| Cleaning & Safety | Commercial dishwasher, multiple sinks, automated CIP system, comprehensive fire suppression | $18,000 - $30,000 |
Large-Scale Brewpub ($500,000 - $800,000)
Large brewpubs operate with near-industrial brewing capacity and full-service restaurant capabilities. The focus shifts to automation, consistency, and handling high-volume operations across both brewing and food service.
| Equipment Category | What's Included | Budget Range |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing System | 20+ barrel automated system, steam boiler, advanced process controls, grain handling system, multiple vessels | $150,000 - $250,000 |
| Fermentation | 12+ fermentation tanks, 8+ bright tanks, fully automated temperature control, advanced glycol system | $80,000 - $130,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment | Full commercial kitchen with multiple stations, wood-fired oven, multiple walk-in coolers, prep equipment | $70,000 - $110,000 |
| Draft System | 24+ tap system, fully automated cleaning, remote monitoring, multiple service areas | $25,000 - $40,000 |
| Bar & Service | Multiple service bars, extensive refrigeration, high-capacity equipment, premium glassware systems | $35,000 - $55,000 |
| Dining Areas | Seating for 200+ guests, multiple dining zones, professional A/V systems, comprehensive POS network | $50,000 - $80,000 |
| Utilities & Infrastructure | Major electrical upgrades, comprehensive water treatment, industrial ventilation, automated systems | $60,000 - $90,000 |
| Cleaning & Safety | Multiple dishwashers, comprehensive CIP systems, advanced fire suppression, environmental controls | $30,000 - $50,000 |