Every brewery eventually reaches the same question: Do you invest in new equipment—or stretch your capital by buying used?
With more breweries closing and more equipment entering the secondary market, you have more choices than ever. But not every bargain is actually a good investment. Some pieces of equipment can deliver decades of reliable service after changing hands. Others can become expensive repair projects that erase every dollar you thought you saved.
This guide explains which equipment is usually worth buying used, what should stay on your “buy new” list, and the questions every brewery should ask before making an investment.
Equipment That’s Usually Safe to Buy Used
Fermenters, brite tanks and most stainless vessels are often among the safest used purchases because quality stainless equipment can last for decades when properly maintained.
Industry operators consistently point to inspecting welds, internal surfaces and maintenance history before purchasing. Utility compatibility and production goals should also be verified before equipment is moved into the brewery.
“Make sure you either currently have the correct utilities to connect to the used equipment, or have the ability to connect utilities to the equipment,” explained Evan Beggs, Head Brewer for Denver’s Ratio Beerworks, while pointing out to think about electrical voltage, compressed air requirements, CO2 load, water pressure needs, and such.
Equipment That’s Riskier to Buy Used
Packaging equipment is where many breweries decide that manufacturer support outweighs purchase price.
Unlike tanks, canning and bottling systems depend on electronics, software integration and ongoing technical support.
Several leaders interviewed by BREWER said they’d gladly purchase used tanks but avoid buying used packaging lines because downtime quickly becomes more expensive than the initial savings.
The Used Equipment Inspection Checklist
Before buying:
✔ Does it fit your building?
✔ Do your utilities match?
✔ Are replacement parts available?
✔ Can you inspect it while running?
✔ Are welds clean?
✔ Any dead legs?
✔ Does it support your long-term strategy?
The Biggest Mistake Brewery Owners Make
One of the biggest mistakes breweries make is focusing on purchase price instead of total ownership cost. A bargain machine can become the most expensive equipment in the brewery if inspections are skipped or repairs become extensive.
Adam Firestone admitted exactly that after purchasing two used palletizers that ultimately required more mechanical work than expected. The savings disappeared because the pre-purchase inspection wasn’t thorough enough.
Used Equipment Isn’t Cheap If It Doesn’t Fit Your Strategy
“Make sure the equipment either matches your current needs or is aligned with your growth strategy,” Beggs said. “Sourcing a piece of used equipment that isn’t aligned with your strategy and/or continuous improvement goals will just make things more complicated.”
Buying used equipment should never start with price. It should start with your growth plan.
Equipment that solves today’s bottleneck but limits tomorrow’s production often becomes an expensive compromise.
Ask: What problem am I solving? Not: How much am I saving?
7 Questions Every Brewery Should Ask Before Buying Used Equipment
- Does it solve today’s bottleneck?
- Will it support growth in three years?
- Can I inspect it operating?
- Can I find replacement parts?
- Do my utilities match?
- Can I service it locally?
- Will it actually lower total cost?
More with Best Used Purchases When Looking to Grow
