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 contract bottlers and bottling services are available for under-bond and sterile bottling in the UK?
Members recommend reaching out to the following contract bottlers for under-bond and general bottling services: - **Kingsland Drinks** (Manchester) — recommended for under-bond bottling work - **CB Glasgow** (https://www.cbglasgow.com/) — listed as a bottling option - **Burlington Bottling** (https://burlingtonbottling.com/) — general contract bottling - **Alcohol Solutions** (https://www.alcohol-solutions.co.uk/) — contract bottling services - **Startup Drinks Lab** (https://www.startupdrinkslab.com/) — contract bottling for new brands - **Beamspack** (https://www.beamspack.com/) — bottling and packaging services - **Greencroft Bottling** (https://www.greencroftbottling.com/) — contract bottling option - **Proof Drinks** — mentioned as a potential partner (some members have worked with them) Members noted that finding under-bond bottlers for specific formats can be challenging, especially for newer products like carbonated RTDs in 750ml bottles. It's worth contacting multiple providers and being clear about your format, volume requirements, and whether you need sterile bottling capability, as not all contract bottlers offer the full range of services.
What are the pain points and practical considerations when outsourcing contract bottling for spirits, and which UK bottlers do members recommend?
Contract bottling can introduce logistical friction into your production timeline, but members find it worthwhile as a scaling solution. Here's what the community has experienced: **Recommended bottlers:** - **Young Spirits** (Edinburgh) — praised for reliability and quality output - **Boss Brewing** (Wales) — currently bottling for at least one member; described as a working partner despite logistical challenges **Key pain points:** - Lead times are tight and can be a constraint; short turnaround is a priority for many members - The outsourced process introduces coordination complexity that members describe as frustrating but manageable **Finding bottlers:** - Direct outreach works: asking within the community and connecting via email introductions has led to useful partnerships - Location matters less than capability and availability — members are willing to work with bottlers across the UK (Scotland to Wales) **Bottom line:** Members acknowledge contract bottling adds friction but see it as a necessary step when scaling production. The key is finding a bottler with short lead times and reliable output.