Breweries and distilleries rely heavily on energy for mashing, boiling, fermentation control, cooling, bottling, cleaning, distillation, space heating and water heating. As a result, they are among the most energy-intensive food and drink manufacturers in the UK. Monthly energy cost for a brewery or distillery varies depending on production scale, equipment type, batch frequency, building insulation and whether the site operates on a continuous or seasonal basis.
Understanding these costs is vital for producers looking to improve margins, upgrade equipment or choose more efficient business energy tariffs.
Typical energy usage in breweries and distilleries
Electricity is used for refrigeration, pumps, motors, bottling lines, compressors and control systems. Gas is used for boilers, steam generation, mash tuns, pot stills and space heating.
| Operation size | Electricity (kWh/month) | Gas/steam (kWh/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Small craft brewery or micro-distillery | 3,000–7,000 | 6,000–12,000 |
| Medium brewery or distillery | 8,000–18,000 | 15,000–35,000 |
| Large commercial producer | 20,000–45,000+ | 40,000–90,000+ |
Distilleries typically use more gas (or LPG/oil) than breweries due to energy-intensive distillation stages that require long heating cycles.
Estimated monthly energy cost for a brewery or distillery
A medium brewery or distillery generally spends between £3,430 and £7,830 per month on combined electricity and gas. Costs depend on production frequency, batch size, still type, refrigeration load and packaging line use.
| Business size | Electricity cost | Gas/LPG cost | Total monthly energy cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | £780–£1,820 | £590–£1,230 | £1,370–£3,050 |
| Medium | £2,080–£4,680 | £1,350–£3,150 | £3,430–£7,830 |
| Large | £5,200–£11,700+ | £3,600–£8,100+ | £8,800–£19,800+ |
Costs include standing charges and reflect typical production schedules of 4–6 brewing days per week or continuous multi-shift distilling operations.
Which brewing and distilling activities use the most energy?
| Activity | Electricity (kWh/month) | Gas/steam (kWh/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Mash tuns and boiling kettles | 300–1,200 | 4,000–20,000 |
| Pot stills/column stills | 200–800 | 6,000–30,000 |
| Fermentation temperature control | 400–2,000 | N/A |
| Glycol chillers and refrigeration | 600–4,000 | N/A |
| Bottling/canning lines | 300–1,000 | N/A |
| Cleaning-in-place (CIP) systems | 200–800 | 200–500 |
| Steam boilers | 150–400 | 10,000–30,000 |
| Space heating | 300–1,000 | 3,000–10,000 |
Distillation, boiling and refrigeration are the most intensive tasks, often driving more than half of total energy costs.
Key factors affecting energy use in breweries and distilleries
Production volume
Larger batch sizes and more frequent production dramatically increase energy demand.
Heating method
Steam-powered and gas-heated systems consume significantly more energy than electrically powered microbrew systems.
Fermentation control
Temperature-controlled fermenters and glycol chillers run constantly, especially for lager breweries.
Still design
Pot stills require long heating cycles, whereas column stills may run continuously and consume more energy overall.
Packaging line intensity
Canning lines, compressors and conveyors add considerable electrical load for medium and large producers.
Seasonal impact on energy bills
| Season | Typical change | Primary driver |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | +20% to +45% | Space heating and refrigeration load |
| Summer | +10% to +25% | Additional cooling for fermentation |
| Peak production periods | +15% to +40% | Increased boiling, distilling and CIP cycles |
Breweries producing lagers or cold-fermented ales may have particularly high summer cooling costs.
How to reduce energy costs in breweries and distilleries
| Strategy | Saving potential | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Install heat recovery systems | 20–45% | Reuse heat from wort boiling or distillation |
| Improve insulation on tanks and pipework | 10–25% | Reduces heat loss during mashing and boiling |
| Upgrade to high-efficiency burners or electric kettles | 15–30% | Cuts fuel usage for boiling |
| Install variable speed drives (VSDs) | 10–20% | Improves pump and compressor efficiency |
| Switch all lighting to LED | 8–15% | Effective for large production areas |
| Use fixed or multi-rate business energy tariffs | 8–12% | Helps manage high operational demand |
Why energy management is crucial for breweries and distilleries
Energy typically accounts for 15% to 45% of operating costs in breweries and distilleries, particularly in craft and small-scale operations where heating and cooling dominate. Improving energy efficiency can reduce production costs per litre, support sustainability targets and increase profitability in a competitive market.
Save money on your brewery energy bills with EnergyCosts.co.uk
Breweries and distilleries can significantly reduce energy bills through upgrades, heat recovery, improved insulation and tailored energy tariffs. To compare the best business energy deals for UK drinks producers, visit EnergyCosts.co.uk and explore tariffs designed for high-usage manufacturing sectors.
FAQ
A medium producer generally spends between £3,430 and £7,830 per month on combined electricity and gas. Costs depend on production frequency, batch size, still type, refrigeration load and packaging line use.
A small craft brewery or micro-distillery usually consumes between 3,000 and 7,000 kWh of electricity monthly. This covers refrigeration, chillers, pumps, lighting and bottling equipment. At 26p per kWh, electricity costs typically range from £780 to £1,820 per month.
Most spend more on gas or LPG because boiling, mashing, steam generation and distillation require long heating cycles. Gas or steam usage often ranges from 6,000 to 35,000+ kWh monthly, making it the dominant energy cost in most production sites.
Distillation, wort boiling, steam generation, fermentation cooling and refrigeration are the largest energy users. Still heating alone can consume 6,000 to 30,000 kWh of gas monthly, especially in pot-still operations.
Energy usage can rise by 20% to 45% in winter due to heating and by 10% to 25% in summer because fermentation cooling systems work harder. Lager breweries and whisky distilleries often experience the greatest seasonal fluctuations.
Yes. Improvements such as heat recovery, better insulation, LED lighting, variable-speed pumps, and optimised boiling schedules can cut energy costs by 10% to 30% without replacing core production equipment.
Large distilleries often consume between 40,000 and 90,000+ kWh of gas or steam each month, depending on continuous still operation and production volume. This typically results in monthly heating costs of £3,600 to £8,100+.
Yes. Glycol chillers, cold storage and fermentation temperature control often account for 20% to 40% of a brewery’s electricity usage. Lager production requires particularly intensive cooling.
Energy usually represents 15% to 45% of operating costs, depending on scale and production method. Smaller producers are proportionally more affected due to less efficient heat and cooling systems.
Yes. Fixed or multi-rate tariffs help high-usage producers manage costs and reduce exposure to market volatility. Many breweries and distilleries save 8% to 12% annually by switching to tailored industry tariffs.