How do I review a brewery’s equipment maintenance logs before buying?

Good logs show habits. Look for entries on a steady schedule, with dates, the item, what was done and who did it. Then look for repeated entries on one item, which can point to a weak part. Long gaps may mean nothing was needed or nothing was written down, so ask which. If service was done by outside technicians, ask for their invoices to compare with the log.

Walk the brewery with the logs in hand. Check the equipment for leaks, corrosion, worn seals and tired hoses, and ask the brewer to explain anything that looks patched. Pay special attention to the cooling and the packaging line, as downtime there stops sales. Ask how the seller tests and cleans each item and where that is written down.

Ask what the seller expects to replace and whether any item is leased or financed. Have a technician look at the main equipment with you, and consider asking a lender what it wants to see. Your lawyer can confirm which items are included, and your accountant can show you what maintenance has cost each year. Ask also how the brewer would cope if a key unit failed during a busy run, and where spare parts are kept.

Key takeaways

• Look for a steady routine, repeated repairs and gaps in each log.
• Walk the brewery with the logs and check the equipment against them.
• Confirm which items are leased or financed before you count them as yours.