5 Key Cash Flow Decisions Craft Brewery & Distillery Owners Are Making in 2026
In 2026, craft brewery and distillery owners aren’t just focused on growth—they’re focused on cash flow quality.
Ingredient costs, labor, and utilities are rising, and lenders are underwriting more conservatively than a few years ago. The breweries and distilleries performing best aren’t always the largest—they’re the ones making disciplined, cash-flow–driven decisions.
Here are the five decisions we’re seeing strong craft brewery and distillery owners make this year.
1. They’re Prioritizing Cash Flow Over Production Volume
More barrels produced doesn’t always mean more profit.
In 2026, smart owners are asking:
- Does this product line generate real free cash flow?
- What’s the net margin after ingredients, labor, and overhead?
Many breweries and distilleries are reducing low-margin offerings—even popular ones—because they consume raw materials, staff time, and storage without producing meaningful cash flow.
2. They’re Being Disciplined About Equipment and Facility Spending
Instead of upgrading brewhouse or distillery systems on autopilot, owners are asking:
- Will this investment pay for itself within 12–18 months?
- Can we maximize utilization of existing equipment first?
Cash-flow-focused operations optimize brewing and distilling schedules, extend equipment life, and negotiate supplier terms before deploying new capital.
3. They’re Aligning Staffing With Production and Sales
Labor remains one of the largest cash flow pressures.
In 2026, owners are:
- Cross-training brewers, distillers, and taproom staff for flexibility
- Adjusting schedules based on seasonal demand, events, and sales trends
- Matching payroll to production and revenue cycles
The goal isn’t reducing service or quality—it’s aligning labor with revenue so cash flow remains predictable.
4. They’re Using Debt Strategically
Debt itself isn’t the problem—misaligned debt is.
Successful owners are structuring financing to:
- Preserve working capital for ingredients, utilities, and marketing
- Lower monthly debt obligations
- Support equipment upgrades, taproom improvements, or new product lines
The right debt strategy allows breweries and distilleries to grow without overstressing cash flow.
5. They’re Treating Liquidity as a Strategic Asset
Cash is no longer idle.
In 2026, craft brewery and distillery owners are maintaining reserves to:
- Absorb seasonal fluctuations in sales
- Invest quickly in high-ROI brews, spirits, or marketing campaigns
- Handle unexpected repairs or compliance costs
Liquidity equals flexibility—and the best owners treat it as a core business asset.
Final Thought
The craft breweries and distilleries winning in 2026 aren’t chasing volume—they’re managing cash flow with discipline.
They’re making intentional financial decisions, protecting liquidity, and running their businesses like professional enterprises. If you haven’t reviewed your cash flow strategy recently, now is the time. Schedule a consultation.
