Colorado is a craft beer mecca—from Denver’s River North to Durango’s mountain outposts. For breweries scaling production, upgrading taprooms, or branching into new markets, smart financing is essential to tap into growth opportunities.
This guide explores the best loan strategies for Colorado craft breweries, including SBA programs, equipment financing, local support, and actionable steps to secure capital.
Growth in brewing often means:
Larger brew systems and packaging lines
Taproom expansions and production space
Licensing, staffing, and talent acquisition
Marketing, distribution, and branding efforts
Seasonal staffing and inventory needs
🍻 Colorado’s tight craft beer market rewards breweries that innovate—but only if they have the capital to scale efficiently.
SBA-backed loans are among the most favorable options for breweries—offering long terms, low down payments, and flexible uses.
Uses: Working capital, real estate, tank upgrades, marketing
Loan Size: Up to $5 million
Terms: 10 years for equipment; 25 years for property
Why It Works: Ideal for established breweries adding capacity or opening new taprooms
Uses: Purchasing property, building renovations, heavy machinery
Structure: 50% bank + 40% CDC + 10% borrower
Benefits: Low down payment, fixed terms, long amortization periods
Why It Works: Brewery owners use it to acquire real estate while preserving cash
Uses: Small tank purchases, labeling, signage, staffing
Loan Size: Up to $50,000
Delivered by: Local nonprofits and SBA intermediaries
Ideal For: Smaller taproom upgrades or early-stage expansions
Define your expansion goal (e.g., tanks, taprooms)
Choose between SBA 7(a), 504, or Microloan
Prepare business plan, projections, and financials
Connect with SBA-approved Colorado lenders or CDCs
Submit application and documentation
Complete underwriting and negotiate terms
Access funds and execute your expansion strategy
Brewing gear is costly—and financing helps spread out the investment.
Covers tanks, kettles, canning lines, HVAC
Equipment secures the loan
Terms: 2–7 years
Perfect for upgrading production without tying up equity
Lower upfront costs and easy upgrades
Allows scaling with changing production needs
Brewing operations face cash flow swings due to bulk ingredient orders or seasonal sales.
Revolving access for payroll, hops/yields, marketing, repairs
Interest only on drawn balance
Practical for breweries bridging seasonal or invoicing cycles
Specialized in craft beverage lending—construction, equipment, ABL
Understands brewery scale and margins
Offers acquisition, real estate, working capital loans (7½–10½%)*
Quick approvals for tailored brewery deals
CDC Small Business Finance: helped Stone Brewing with an SBA 504 expansion cdcloans.com
Colorado Enterprise Fund: delivers Microloans and SBA funds
Local SBDCs and SCORE: guide brewers through loan packaging
As one brewer on Reddit said:
“SBA loan for 70%, owners for the other 30%. be sure to shop around to different banks too."
Lower borrowing costs for early growth phases
Requires owner equity and personal risk
Raises funds while building a community
Great for brand-building in craft beer circles
Secured a $1.6 million SBA loan for new production and taproom
Enabled regional expansion and job creation—an SBA success story
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| SBA loans: long terms, low rates, flexible use | Application takes 30–90 days |
| Equipment financing preserves capital | Collateral tied to machinery |
| Specialist lenders understand breweries | Higher interest vs SBA (7–10%) |
| Alternative financing builds community | HELOCs carry owner risk |
Ready to scale your Colorado brewery?
Start with an SBA pre-qualification, reach out to specialist lenders like Live Oak or local CDCs, and consider equipment loans or lines of credit to fund your expansion. Let’s craft growth with confidence!