Selling a brewery is one of the biggest strategic decisions an owner can make. Whether you’ve built your operation from the ground up or recently scaled into wider distribution, preparing your brewery for a sale is essential to achieving maximum value and a smooth transition. Buyers—whether strategic, financial, or private individuals—want clarity, stability, and growth potential. The more prepared your brewery is, the stronger your negotiating position becomes.
Below are the most important steps every brewery owner should take to prepare for a successful sale.
1. Get Your Financials Clean, Accurate, and Transparent
Your financial statements are the first thing any serious buyer will scrutinize. Brewery owners often reinvest heavily, manage complex cost structures, and navigate seasonal cash flow. That’s normal—but your financials must clearly tell your story.
Key actions:
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Ensure three years of clean financial statements, ideally reviewed or audited.
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Prepare detailed COGS breakdowns, including raw materials, packaging, labor, and overhead allocations.
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Reconcile inventory records for raw materials, in-process, and finished goods.
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Document any owner add-backs or non-recurring expenses.
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Present up-to-date tax returns and sales tax filings.
Quality financials increase buyer confidence and often improve valuation.
2. Assess and Document Your Brewery’s Operational Strengths
Buyers want to understand how efficiently your brewery runs—and the growth potential in your operations.
What to document:
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Production capacity vs. actual output
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Brewhouse age, maintenance history, and remaining useful life
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Packaging line capabilities
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SOPs for brewing, packaging, QA/QC, and safety
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Taproom procedures and staffing structure
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Compliance with TTB, state, and local regulations
The more you can demonstrate a well-run, consistent operation, the more attractive your brewery becomes.
3. Strengthen Your Brand Story and Market Position
A brewery is more than stainless steel and recipes—it’s a brand with a following. Buyers pay a premium for breweries with strong, loyal customer bases and recognizable identities.
Review:
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Brand positioning and visual identity
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Flagship products and seasonal line performance
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Customer demographics
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Distribution footprint and wholesaler relationships
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Social media engagement and taproom experience
Make sure your brand story is clear, consistent, and well-documented. Buyers love a brewery with momentum.
4. Review All Legal Documents and Compliance Records
Breweries operate under layers of regulation, which makes legal and compliance organization critical.
Gather and update:
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Operating agreements and ownership records
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Lease agreements and property contracts
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Distribution agreements
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Vendor contracts
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Licenses and permits (TTB, state, local)
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Any intellectual property filings (trademarks, recipes, designs)
Ensuring all documents are current—and assignable—helps avoid delays during due diligence.
5. Evaluate Your Team and Organizational Structure
People drive brewery success, and buyers will want to understand your workforce and leadership.
Prepare:
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Organizational chart
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Employee job descriptions
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Compensation structure
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Training procedures
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Key employees who are essential to ongoing operations
Buyers often look for stability, so identifying which team members are essential and willing to stay post-transaction is critical.
6. Conduct a Professional Brewery Valuation
Before going to market, you need to understand your true value. Breweries involve unique valuation variables—production capacity, taproom contribution, distribution mix, EBITDA adjustments, brand equity, and more.
A professional valuation:
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Helps you set realistic expectations
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Strengthens your negotiation position
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Identifies opportunities to increase value before going to market
7. Engage an Industry-Focused Advisor
Selling a brewery is complex and time-consuming. Using an experienced M&A advisor specializing in the craft beverage space can guide you through every step:
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Preparing financials and documents
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Identifying qualified buyers
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Protecting confidentiality
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Negotiating deal terms
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Managing due diligence
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Closing the transaction efficiently
The right advisor becomes your advocate and ensures you achieve the best possible outcome.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your brewery for a successful sale is not something to rush. The earlier you begin—often 12 to 24 months before going to market—the smoother the process and the better the results. Whether you plan to sell soon or simply want to position your brewery for maximum future value, these steps will put you on the right path.