Small brewery with a taproom
Brew on site in a small unit and sell beer from your own taproom, to local venues and by the keg.
- A$250k-1000k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small brewhouse in a commercial or industrial unit, usually with a taproom where people drink fresh beer. You also supply kegs and packs to pubs and shops.
Your first three steps
- Gain brewing experience by working or volunteering at a local brewery, and write a business plan with realistic numbers
- Talk to your local council about zoning and planning for a brewery and taproom, and to your state liquor licensing body
- Get quotes for brewhouse equipment and a suitable unit, and speak to lenders about finance
Who pays
Taproom visitors, local pubs and bars, bottle shops and event organisers.
How it makes money
Taproom sales usually earn the best margin per pint. Wholesale kegs and packaged beer add volume, and food trucks, events and merchandise can add more.
Skills that help
- Brewing and quality control
- Running a venue and managing staff
- Sales and local marketing
- Managing equipment and stock
Watch out for
- Excise licensing with the ATO: check how the excise system and any small brewer concessions apply to you
- State liquor licence (often a producer or on-premises licence) and council planning approval, which can take months
- Public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and food safety rules if you serve food
- High upfront equipment and fit-out costs, and a lease commitment
- Responsible service of alcohol training and local trading hour limits
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small brewery with a taproom
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a small brewery with a taproom in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $250,000 to $1,000,000, depending on equipment, fit-out and the size of your unit. Equipment and fit-out costs are high upfront, and you will also be committing to a lease.
What licences and approvals should I check before opening a taproom brewery?
Check excise licensing with the ATO, including any small brewer concessions, and your state liquor licence and council planning approval, which can take months. Also check public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, food safety rules, responsible service of alcohol training and trading hours.
How much can a small taproom brewery earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $25,000 to $120,000, depending on taproom trade, keg sales to venues and your scale. This is revenue, not profit. Expect at least around 40 hours a week to run it.
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