Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What are the best UK suppliers for enolmatic single-head fillers and bar-friendly glassware with quick delivery?
**Enolmatic single-head fillers:** Members recommend several suppliers for equipment and pricing: - **Derek** (https://www.winegrowers.info/wine-equip/enolmatic/info.htm) — used historically by members - **ACO** — frequently used by members for this equipment - **Vigo** — available but noted as expensive by some - **Liquid Solutions** (callum.mitchell@liquidsolutions.co.uk) — used by members - **Polsinelli** (https://www.polsinelli.it/en/enolmatic-filling-machine-P20.htm) — Italian supplier, but import times currently problematic **Bar-friendly glassware with quick delivery:** - **The Lucky Drinker** (https://theluckydrinker.com/) — recommended for bar-friendly glassware with faster turnaround - **GTR** — member connection available if needed - **Aval Dor** — members in the group work with them and can offer direct support - **8Track** — member connection available (Jeremy Mitchell from Upbeat) **Caveats:** Import times from European suppliers like Polsinelli are currently slow. Direct member introductions to suppliers like Aval Dor and 8Track are available within the community if needed.
What are the best suppliers for pop-up bar systems that are quick to assemble and disassemble?
Members recommend several specialist pop-up bar suppliers that prioritise ease of setup and portability: - **Oasis Bars** — praised as a reliable option; members have messaged them directly for quotes - **Rapid Bars** — specifically noted for fitting in the back of a car, making them highly portable; several members have used them and received quotes - **Lixr** — mentioned as having good bar options; the company has posted directly in the community before - **Lazy Joes** — another option members have used - **Grumpy Joes** — listed as a supplier option The recommendation is to message or email multiple suppliers to compare quotes and find the best fit for your needs. At least one member received a quote from Rapid Bars and confirmed it was worth the effort.
Where can I source cask racks and barrel storage solutions in the UK?
Members have found two practical approaches to maximizing barrel storage: **Direct supplier:** - **Speyside Cooperage** — supplies cask racks and stands. Contact: Ellie Jamieson, 01340 881264. Members report this as a reasonable-priced option. **DIY/repurposing approach:** - **Standard pallet racking with strapping** — can accommodate 2 bourbon barrels lying down and strapped per pallet, making efficient use of existing warehouse infrastructure. - **Extra shelving** — members found this cheaper than purpose-built cask racks in some cases, though this depends on your storage setup and barrel dimensions. The key trade-off: purpose-built racks from Speyside Cooperage offer dedicated design but require budget; pallet racking or shelving solutions are lower-cost but require more manual optimization for vertical space efficiency.
What maintenance arrangements should be in place when supplying granita equipment to bar venues?
When placing granita machines in bars, build maintenance obligations into your revenue-sharing deal. Members emphasize regular, preventive oversight rather than reactive repairs. **Key practices:** - **Use retro/revenue share to cover maintenance costs** — Agree that a portion of takings goes toward machine upkeep, since granita machines break frequently and repair costs can be substantial. - **Schedule monthly site visits** — Have your representative visit the venue once a month to check the machine is running properly and catch issues early. - **Engage specialist support** — Contact **Joe Yates at Carpigiani** (joeyates@carpigiani.co.uk) for advice on Carpigiani machines; members noted he provides helpful guidance. **Icely** (via Lefit or his team) is another contact for support. - **Know your equipment options** — **Carpigiani machines** are reliable for serious frozen cocktail operations but are expensive; **blue ice machines** are a cheaper alternative if budget is a constraint. **Caveat:** Granita equipment requires consistent attention. Without proactive monthly checks and clear maintenance funding built into venue deals, downtime and repair costs can quickly erode margins.
Where can we find urgent equipment and components if our usual suppliers are unavailable?
When facing urgent supply gaps, members recommend reaching out directly to the community first—peers often have spare stock they're willing to share. For filtration components specifically, be prepared with exact specifications (micron rating, cartridge type, ring size, cap configuration) to help others identify whether they have compatible parts. For larger equipment needs: - **Community peer network** — members have successfully borrowed or sourced urgent components through direct requests in the group, particularly for filtration cartridges and packaging equipment - **Stoelzle or Allied** — recommended as UK glass manufacturers that can support urgent needs through stock holding and flexible credit terms, avoiding the pitfalls of Chinese sourcing (upfront payment, long shipping times, minimum order quantities, potential inconsistency) **Caveats:** While Chinese glass factories offer cheaper mould costs and quick turnaround for planned orders, they're not suitable for emergency supply due to upfront payment requirements, shipping delays, and the need to take full delivery at once. UK suppliers are better positioned to amortise costs and hold stock for urgent scenarios.