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.
Which co-packers and bottlers can handle small-batch production, RTD bottling, and kegging services?
Members recommend several co-packers and bottlers for smaller production runs and specialist services. Here are the specific contacts and options shared: **Blending & Kegging** - **1.8** — Haydon and Jono reportedly handle kegging cocktails and support smaller batch production (though availability was queried, suggesting you should confirm current capacity). **Small-Batch Bottling (100–2000L)** - **Beamspack** — Members have used them and are happy to make introductions. - **Giraffe Distillers** — Can provide quotes; noted as having a dedicated miniature line (contact: Andy). - One member offered to support 2000L runs; DM for details. **Miniature Bottling** - **Beamspack** — Successfully handled miniature packing at scale (8,000 and 40,000 units mentioned). - **Giraffe Distillers** — Has a dedicated miniature line and can quote. **RTD (Bottles & Cans), In-Bond** The community discussion flagged this as a common need, but no specific suppliers were named in the excerpts—members asked for recommendations but the thread didn't resolve with named contacts. One member offered to DM details directly. **How to Connect** Several members offered to make direct introductions or provide contact details via DM. The community norm is to reach out to the thread or ask for an intro if a supplier is mentioned.
What label suppliers can handle very small custom runs of 12–24 labels?
Several options exist for small-batch custom labels: - **Berkshire Labels** — offers digital printing for small runs at around £150–200 per batch, suitable for bespoke orders. - **Vistaprint or similar online print services** — a budget-friendly fallback for very small quantities. - **Local contract manufacturers** — some members have found small operators in shared units or industrial spaces willing to do runs as small as 12–24 labels; one example charges 30p per label using thermal inks (which are alcohol-safe for spirit labels). Note: Local sourcing may offer better per-unit pricing and flexibility, but stock availability and material options may be more limited than with established label firms. Thermal inks are alcohol-compatible, which is important for drinks labels.
What are the typical costs and lead times for contract canning services for small batches under 10,000 units per SKU?
Members found that sub-10k unit runs are achievable but can face slot delays at contract canners. **Bottled and Canned** (Devon) is confirmed to work with runs as small as 1,000 litres and has been praised for quality. The target cost floor most members cited is around **£0.50 per unit**, though this may be aspirational for very small runs. Lead times can be tight—reactive (urgent) slots are difficult to secure, so advance booking is recommended. **Drinks Chef** was also mentioned as a reliable option. A Cardiff distillery recently added an in-house canning line and may have spare capacity. Members recommend reaching out directly to confirm pricing and availability for your specific volume.
What are the best canning services for small-run cocktail RTD production in the UK?
Members recommend contacting specialist canners directly for small-format runs (100–125ml cans). **Point Cocktails** and **The M That Can** (themthatcan.com) have both been mentioned as options capable of handling small batch cocktail canning. These appear to be the go-to contacts for producers looking to can ready-to-drink cocktails in limited quantities. Contact them directly to discuss your specific volume and format requirements.
What label printing suppliers should we use for small batch runs of 500+ mini bottles?
For small batch mini bottle labelling (500–1000 units), members recommend a handful of established suppliers who specialise in this volume: - **Label Apeel** — mentioned as a go-to option, consistently recommended for small batch work - **Berkshire Labels** — described as having good quality output, commonly used by the group - **Labelappeal** — also flagged as a reliable choice Members note these suppliers are familiar with drinks-industry mini bottle runs and handle the lower volumes that don't justify full production print runs. No specific pricing or lead times were shared in the discussion, so members should contact suppliers directly for quotes on 500-bottle batches.
Where can I source small-volume blank cans for low-batch RTD cocktail products?
Finding small-volume can suppliers is challenging, as the major manufacturers have high minimum order quantities. Members recommend: - **Oasthouse Engineering** — confirmed to handle low volumes. Contact: 01709 780675 or canorders@oasthouseengineering.co.uk Larger suppliers to avoid for small batches include Ardagh, Ball, Crown, and Canit, all of which have very high MOQs that make them unsuitable for low-volume producers. Members also suggest requesting design templates from other producers in the community to streamline the ordering process.
Where can I get quick-turnaround label printing for keykeg applications with small minimum order quantities?
Members have had success sourcing small-quantity keykeg labels with fast turnaround through specialist print providers. The key recommendation is **Pixart Printing** (https://www.pixartprinting.co.uk/), which members have ordered keykeg labels from recently and praised for accommodating small MOQs and delivering impressive results for this application. Same-day turnaround may be possible depending on order timing and complexity, though this should be confirmed directly with the supplier.
What tabletop canning equipment is available for small-volume, non-carbonated canning operations?
For small-volume non-carbonated canning, members suggest checking with established breweries in the network who may have spare equipment available for purchase or hire. **Canopy** (via contact Estelle) has been mentioned as a potential resource. Additionally, **The Hide** may have spare tabletop canning equipment available post-lockdown that could be purchased. The community recommends reaching out directly to members with existing setups rather than purchasing new equipment outright, as this is often more cost-effective for small-scale operations. No specific off-the-shelf tabletop canning machines were named in discussions, suggesting the community tends to source used equipment or borrow/hire from established operators.