OHIO · NAICS 3121
Ohio brewery, distillery, and winery projects span the Columbus and Cincinnati craft cores and the Lake Erie shore wine corridor. Studies translate production capacity, taproom revenue, distribution, and inventory cycles into projections that lenders can stress-test against ramp and coverage.
FEASIBILITY TRIGGER
Production capacity, taproom revenue, and inventory cycles make these projection-heavy deals where studies are routinely required.
SBA 7(a) and 504 lenders funded 281 brewery, distillery, and winery projects across Ohio between FY2010 and FY2026, moving $131.8 million in approved capital at an average ticket of $469,000. That volume places Ohio at #3 of 38 states measured for brewery, distillery, and winery SBA activity, or 4.5% of national brewery, distillery, and winery dollars. The 7(a) program carried 91.1% of the loan count, with 504 taking the balance, and 24 approvals have hit the pipeline since FY2024.
| Disbursed loans (FY2010–FY2026) | 281 |
| Approved volume | $131.8 million |
| Average loan size | $469,000 |
| 7(a) share | 91.1% |
| Approvals since FY2024 | 24 |
| State rank by loan count | #3 of 38 |
Among the 225 seasoned loans in this segment (approvals FY2010–FY2021), 5.8% reached adverse resolution — purchased, liquidated, or charged off. The national benchmark for brewery, distillery, and winery is 8.1%, against 7.3% across all industries. That performance runs below the national benchmark for this asset class, a credit-positive signal for lenders.
Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan-level data, as of March 31, 2026. Disbursed loans only. See data methodology.
A 5.8% adverse-resolution rate below the national brewery, distillery, and winery benchmark of 8.1% supports the credit story for well-underwritten Ohio projects in this class. Across 281 SBA loans averaging $469,000, that track record does not eliminate the need for a third-party feasibility study, but it means a rigorous study reinforces rather than defends the projections.
Every Ohio breweries, distilleries and wineries project we underwrite follows the same lender ready process: independent market analysis, site and technical review, and financial projections tested against SBA SOP 50 10 8 standards. Our SBA feasibility study consultants guide explains scope, timing, deliverables, and what lenders and CDCs expect in the report.
Ohio projects most often pencil under SBA 504 because the 50/40/10 structure delivers up to 90 percent financing on owner-occupied real estate at a fixed debenture rate. SBA 7(a) covers acquisitions, working capital, and equipment, and from July 4, 2026 eligible borrowers can combine 7(a) and 504 for up to $10 million in total program credit.
Columbus and Cincinnati anchor the state's craft density, with the Lake Erie shore wine corridor adding tasting-room economics.
For a national view of this asset class, see our brewery, distillery, and winery SBA feasibility overview, and read our related analysis in the brewery, distillery, and winery lending research on our blog.
Compare neighboring markets: North Carolina, Oregon, Texas.
Public SBA and CDC program records, cited as program evidence
$2.8M SBA 504 ground-up through Florida First Capital plus $300K state working capital
7,500 square foot brewery, taproom, restaurant, and event space, national program evidence
Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida
Fifteen-minute scoping call, written proposal inside one business day, firm fixed fee before you sign.
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