Let’s call it what it is — winter is the season where most brewery and distillery projects lose momentum. Cities slow down. Holidays interrupt decisions. Lead times spike. And suddenly a spring opening drifts into summer.
But here’s the part most people miss:
Winter is actually the smartest time to plan a brewery or distillery build.
If you know where to focus right now, you can avoid delays, lock in critical decisions, and start spring already ahead of the pack.
This guide breaks down exactly how to do that.
Get Permits Moving Before the Holiday Backlog Hits
If you’re planning a brewery or distillery build, your permitting strategy matters more than ever in winter.
Municipal offices experience:
reduced staffing
longer review times
higher submission volume
year-end processing delays
A “simple correction” in December often becomes a multi-week setback.
The move:
Submit drawings, zoning requests, and reviews before the January rush.
Why it matters:
You clear the biggest bottleneck of the entire project.
You stay on track for a spring construction start.
You get ahead of other developers competing for review time.
Steve in one line:
“Momentum isn’t about speed — it’s about staying ahead of predictable slowdowns.”
Use Winter to Finalize the Decisions That Shape Your Brewery or Distillery
The spaces that run well — brewing, distilling, and hospitality — all start with decisions made long before construction.
Winter is the perfect time to lock in:
brewhouse or still placement
tank layout and future expansion
utility strategy (steam, water, power, drainage)
customer flow paths
tasting room sightlines
code-driven separations
MEP coordination
back-of-house efficiency
This is the work that saves you time and money later.
The move:
Use seasonal downtime to finalize the operational heart of your space.
Why it matters:
Spring becomes execution — not redesign.
Prep Your Site Now So You Can Break Ground Faster in Spring
Even if weather slows actual excavation, the winter months are ideal for all the invisible-but-critical sitework planning.
This includes:
geotechnical reports
updated surveys
drainage strategy
utility coordination
demo planning
early site packages
environmental checks
The move:
Treat winter as your “site prep season.”
Why it matters:
You hit spring ready — not restarting your homework.
Order Long-Lead Equipment Before Lead Times Stretch
This is especially true for breweries and distilleries. Winter is when manufacturers lock in Q1/Q2 production slots.
Think ahead for:
brewhouses
stills
boilers
tanks
specialty millwork
panelboards
storefront systems
stainless
The move:
Make your equipment decisions early in winter.
Why it matters:
You control your timeline instead of reacting to it.
“Most delays aren’t construction delays — they’re decision delays.”
Tighten Your Budget Now Instead of Chasing It in Spring
Winter is the ideal time to sharpen the numbers.
Use Q4/Q1 to:
update your cost model
get contractor pricing checks
vet VE options
identify utility and infrastructure costs
confirm rebates, grants, or incentives
map your FF&E strategy
The move:
Get your budget locked in by the time the weather warms up.
Why it matters:
Projects rarely fail from high numbers — they fail from unclear ones.
Keep Communication Strong When Everyone Else Goes Quiet
Winter is where leadership shows.
While many teams disappear for the season, OPA stays committed to simple, consistent communication:
Short updates.
Clear decisions.
No clutter.
The move:
Set a steady rhythm of check-ins, even if they're brief.
Why it matters:
Momentum is built on alignment, not speed.
Start Design in Winter So You Can Build When It Counts
This is the rhythm that works for breweries, distilleries, and maker spaces:
Design in winter
Permit in early spring
Build in spring/summer
This seasonal pattern consistently results in:
stronger coordination
fewer surprises
better pricing
faster openings
The move:
Treat winter as the true start of your project.
Why it matters:
By the time the first warm day hits, you’re not talking about building — you’re actually building.
Winter doesn’t have to slow your brewery or distillery project down.
In our experience, it’s the season where smart makers gain the most ground.
Good design doesn’t wait on perfect conditions — and neither should your project.
We’re not chasing trends — we’re designing what lasts. And that work doesn’t pause for the weather.
If you’re planning a brewery, distillery, or maker space for 2025–2026, winter is your window to get ahead.
Let’s talk about your goals and map out the smartest path into spring.
Chat with our team → Connect