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Singapore’s craft beer scene is small but sophisticated, a city-state with a deeply food-obsessed culture has developed a genuine appreciation for quality craft beer, and a handful of well-run Singapore-based microbreweries have built strong local followings. Setting up a microbrewery in Singapore involves navigating regulations administered by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Singapore Customs department, both of which have clear, consistently-applied processes. Singapore’s rule-of-law reputation is deserved, the licensing process is transparent, timelines are predictable, and compliance requirements are strictly enforced.
Regulatory framework
Alcohol manufacturing in Singapore is regulated primarily by Singapore Customs under the Customs Act and the Excise Duties (Liquor) Act. A brewery requires an Excise Manufacturing Warehouse (EMW) licence, which allows production of dutiable goods (alcohol) in a licensed facility. The Singapore Food Agency regulates food safety aspects of beverage manufacturing. Both licences are required before production can begin.
Required licences and permits
- Excise Manufacturing Warehouse Licence (Singapore Customs): The primary licence for alcohol production. Requires: premises approval (specific facility standards for an EMW), installation of approved flow meters on all fermentation vessels, monthly excise duty returns, and maintaining production records auditable by Customs. Excise duty on beer in Singapore: SGD 16 per litre of alcohol content (one of the highest excise duty rates in the world, this is a significant cost factor).
- Food Factory Licence (Singapore Food Agency): Required for any food/beverage manufacturing premises. Facility must meet SFA’s food factory licensing conditions including hygienic design, pest control, and food safety management system.
- UEN Business Registration (ACRA): Standard Singapore business registration with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority before applying for any other licence.
- Liquor Licence for Retail: If selling on-premises, a Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act licence is required, specifically a Liquor Licence for the premises. Issued by the Singapore Police Force, not Customs or SFA.
Cost considerations, excise duty
Singapore’s excise duty rate of SGD 16 per litre of alcohol content is the dominant cost variable for any brewery. For a 5% ABV beer: each litre of beer contains 0.05L of alcohol, so duty is SGD 0.80 per litre (SGD 2.40 per 3L keg-equivalent). This is baked into the cost of every pint served, Singapore craft beer prices at taprooms average SGD 12–18 per pint partly because of this duty burden. A brewery producing 10,000 litres per month at 5% ABV owes approximately SGD 8,000/month in excise duty alone, payable monthly. Accurate production record-keeping is legally required and essential for correct duty calculation.
Premises and setup costs
- Industrial unit (JTC or private): Brewery operations must be in an industrial-zoned premises in Singapore, you cannot brew commercially in a shophouse or residential space. JTC industrial units in areas like Tuas, Jurong, or Woodlands: SGD 2–4 per sq ft per month. A 2,000–3,000 sq ft brewery unit costs SGD 4,000–12,000/month in rent.
- Brewing system: SGD 100,000–300,000 for a 500–1,000L system. Import duties on brewery equipment are generally zero-rated for manufacturing use.
- EMW fit-out (Customs requirements): Flow meters, secure storage for bonded goods, and record-keeping systems add SGD 20,000–50,000 to fit-out costs.
Common Questions
Can I open a brewpub in Singapore?
Yes, but the industrial zoning requirement for the EMW licence complicates traditional brewpub models. The brewery production must be in an industrial-zoned premises; however, you can open a separately-licenced taproom or restaurant in a commercial location and supply it from your industrial brewery. Some Singapore operators run the brewery in an industrial unit with an attached tasting area (permitted if the industrial unit allows it under its JTC or URA conditions), and a separate flagship bar in a commercial location. The most successful Singapore craft brands (Brewerkz, Little Island Brewing, Level33) have navigated this through multi-site structures or by occupying premises with both industrial and F&B components.
