Best Location for A Craft Brewery

Introduction

Choosing the best location for a craft brewery is one of the most critical decisions in the early planning stage. The right brewery site directly affects production efficiency, operating costs, customer experience, and long-term scalability.

At DEGONG, we have supported breweries worldwide with customized brewhouse systems and plant layout solutions. Based on real project experience, this guide explains how to choose the ideal brewery location from technical, commercial, and operational perspectives.

1. Why Brewery Location Is So Important

A brewery is not just a production space—it is a combination of process engineering, logistics, utilities, and customer interaction.

The location of your brewery will influence:

• Initial investment and long-term operating costs

• Utility availability (water, electricity, gas, drainage)

• Brewing efficiency and workflow design

• Equipment installation and maintenance

• Customer accessibility and brand exposure

• Future expansion possibilities

A well-chosen site helps avoid costly retrofits and ensures smooth brewery operations from day one.

2. Urban vs Industrial Locations: Which Is Right for You?

Urban Locations – Ideal for Brewpubs & Taprooms

Advantages

• High visibility and foot traffic

• Strong taproom sales potential

• Easier brand building and customer engagement

Challenges

• Higher rent and operating costs

• Limited space for fermentation and expansion

• Stricter zoning, noise, and environmental regulations

Urban sites are best suited for brewpubs and taproom-focused craft breweries.

Industrial or Suburban Locations – Ideal for Production Breweries

Advantages

• Lower rent per square meter

• Larger floor areas for brewhouse and tanks

• Easier logistics and equipment delivery

• Better expansion potential

Challenges

• Lower walk-in customer traffic

• Greater reliance on distribution and marketing

Industrial zones are recommended for production-oriented craft breweries or breweries planning regional distribution.

3. Define Your Brewery Type Before Choosing a Site

Before selecting a location, clearly define your brewery model:

• Brewpub / Taproom brewery

• Small craft brewery for local distribution

• Medium or large-scale production brewery

Each model has different requirements for space, utilities, ceiling height, and layout.

Key space considerations

• Sufficient ceiling height for fermentation tanks

• Floor load capacity for full stainless steel vessels

• Clear workflow from brewhouse → fermentation → packaging

• Access points for equipment installation

At DEGONG, we always recommend confirming the site before finalizing brewhouse and tank designs.

4. Utility & Infrastructure Requirements

A brewery is a utility-intensive facility. Before signing a lease or purchasing a property, confirm the following:

• Stable and sufficient water supply

• Adequate electrical capacity (often three-phase power)

• Gas or alternative heating source for the brewhouse

• Proper floor drainage and wastewater discharge

• Ventilation for steam, heat, and odors

Ignoring infrastructure limitations often leads to unexpected upgrade costs that exceed initial rent savings.

5. Zoning, Permits & Compliance

Local regulations can significantly impact your project timeline.

Check in advance:

• Whether alcohol production is permitted in the area

• Fire safety and building code requirements

• Wastewater and environmental regulations

• Noise and odor restrictions

• Local tax policies related to alcohol production

Early compliance planning helps avoid delays during construction and commissioning.

6. Market Access & Customer Experience

When evaluating a location, consider your target market:

• Who are your core customers?

• How will they access your brewery?

• Is parking or public transportation available?

• How strong is local competition?

For taproom-driven breweries, customer convenience and experience are just as important as technical suitability.

7. Plan for Future Expansion

One of the most common mistakes new breweries make is choosing a site with no room to grow.

Ask yourself:

• Can additional fermenters be installed later?

• Is there space for packaging equipment?

• Can utilities support higher production volumes?

A slightly larger site today can save significant relocation costs in the future.

8. Common Brewery Location Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing a site before defining the brewing process

• Underestimating utility upgrade costs

• Ignoring ceiling height and floor load limits

• Overlooking zoning and permit restrictions

• Designing equipment without confirming site conditions

Working with an experienced brewery equipment supplier early helps prevent these issues.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Brewery Location

To select the ideal craft brewery location, you should:

1. Clearly define your brewery type and production goals

2. Compare urban and industrial sites realistically

3. Confirm space, utilities, and infrastructure

4. Check zoning and regulatory requirements

5. Consider customer access and future expansion

A well-planned brewery location lays the foundation for efficient brewing, stable operation, and sustainable growth.

DEGONG supports craft breweries with professional brewhouse equipment, layout planning, and technical consultation—helping you build the right brewery in the right place.