Your taproom’s packed, distribution is humming, and demand keeps growing. But your production setup is maxed out. Sound familiar? Finding the right beverage co-packer can transform your operations when your production setup can’t keep up with demand. With a co-packing partner handling production logistics, you’re free to focus on what you do best: creating exceptional beers and building your brand. And with modern beverage software in the mix, you’re looking at a whole new level of efficiency.

Whether you’re expanding your core lineup or launching a new seasonal series, teaming up with a co-packer could be your ticket to sustainable growth. Let’s walk through everything you need to know about choosing a co-packing partner who can help take your brewery to the next level.

What Makes a Beverage Co-Packer Essential for Growth?

Gone are the days when scaling up meant building your own massive facility. Today’s beverage co-packers take care of your end-to-end production needs—from brewing through packaging. This frees you up to focus on what matters most: crafting great beer and maintaining quality. Their expertise in large-scale production means you can scale up without sacrificing the consistency your customers expect.

Professional co-packers have the expertise to handle everything from ingredient sourcing to keg tracking, and they know the compliance maze inside and out. You get enterprise-level production capabilities without the enterprise-level investment. For craft breweries, this means access to professional production facilities and expertise—all without emptying your bank account.

How do you know it’s time to make the jump? Watch for these signals:

• You’re constantly playing catch-up with taproom and distribution orders
• Your brewing team is spread thin managing production details
• You need better systems for tracking kegs and inventory
• Your beverage distribution software needs have outgrown your current setup
• You’re spending more time on paperwork than perfecting recipes
• Your growth plans need more muscle behind them

Making the move to a beverage co-packer isn’t about hitting some magic number in sales. It’s about recognizing when having a production partner will help you zoom ahead instead of holding you back. The sweet spot? That’s when you realize you’re spending more time wrestling with production logistics than crafting your next great beer.

Key Factors in Choosing Your Production Partner

Let’s talk about finding your perfect co-packing match. Like any good partnership, it starts with compatibility in the right areas. Location matters for keeping those transportation costs in check, but there’s more to consider—from how flexible they can be with your production runs to whether their certifications match your standards.

When evaluating potential co-packers, start with these essential criteria:

• Smart location strategy: Consider both immediate and long-term distribution plans. A partner within 200 miles keeps transportation costs manageable while ensuring your beer stays fresh. Factor in future market expansion when choosing location.
• Quality standards and certifications: Look beyond basic requirements. The right partner should have HACCP certification, robust quality management systems, and regular third-party audits that align with your standards.
• Tech savvy systems: Modern brewery management tools aren’t just nice-to-have anymore. Look for partners using updated systems that can integrate with your operations.
• Storage solutions: Cold storage capacity should exceed your immediate needs by at least 25%. Ask about temperature monitoring systems and inventory rotation protocols to ensure your beer maintains its quality.

Production Capabilities That Matter

When evaluating a co-packer’s production capabilities, focus on their brewing equipment and technical expertise first. Modern facilities should offer multiple brew house options to match your recipes precisely, from mash temperature control to fermentation monitoring. Look for partners with both automated and manual quality checkpoints throughout the process.

Related: 5 Tips for Launching Craft Products

Packaging versatility is crucial for growth. Your co-packer should handle multiple formats—whether you’re planning to run cans, bottles, kegs, or all three. Pay attention to their fill-line speeds, cleaning protocols, and quality control measures at each packaging stage. The best partners maintain strict dissolved oxygen specifications and proper carbonation levels throughout the packaging process.

Advanced quality control goes beyond basic testing. Look for partners with in-house labs that can perform microbiological testing, shelf-life studies, and sensory analysis. Their cold storage should be ample, with clear protocols for stock rotation and temperature monitoring.

Types of Co-Packing Partnerships

When it comes to teaming up with a co-packer, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your ideal partnership will depend on your brewery’s unique needs, goals, and how hands-on you want to be with production. Here are the main models to consider:

• Full-Service Production: The co-packer manages everything from raw materials through finished packaging. Perfect for breweries wanting to focus entirely on brand building and sales while maintaining quality control through a trusted partner.
• Partial Production: You provide ingredients or base product while they handle specific processes. This hybrid model lets you maintain control over key ingredients and recipes while leveraging their production capabilities.
• Contract Brewing: The co-packer handles all brewing and packaging using your recipes in their facility. Ideal for rapid scaling without major capital investment in brewing equipment.
• Packaging Only: You brew the beer, they handle the packaging. Great for breweries that have hit their packaging capacity limits but still have room to brew more.

Now that you understand the different ways to work with a co-packer, you’ll be better equipped to find the right match for your brewery. Let’s dig into the key questions you should ask potential partners to make sure they can deliver what you need.

5 Smart Questions to Ask Potential Partners

Beyond the basics of capabilities and certifications, you need to understand how a co-packer handles real-world challenges. Here are questions that reveal whether they’re truly ready to be your production partner:

How do you handle recipe scaling?

A quality co-packer should walk you through their exact process for maintaining flavor profiles when scaling up. Listen for specifics about their documentation methods, equipment modifications, and quality control checkpoints. They should share examples of similar beer styles they’ve successfully scaled, detailing how they preserved the original character while increasing volume.

What’s your quality control program and how do you handle issues?

Look for a comprehensive answer that covers multiple testing points throughout production. A strong co-packer will describe their professional sensory panel, laboratory capabilities, and documentation systems without hesitation. They should also explain how they handle quality issues when they arise – because even the best facilities encounter challenges occasionally.

How do you manage scheduling conflicts and production delays?

Pay attention to how they describe their communication protocols and backup plans. The best partners will share real examples of how they’ve handled scheduling conflicts in the past. They should demonstrate both flexibility and clear procedures for managing unexpected situations without compromising quality.

What’s your standard procedure for new brand onboarding?

Their response should reveal a well-organized system that covers everything from initial documentation to trial batches. Listen for specific timelines, training requirements, and communication expectations. A good partner will emphasize collaboration during this critical phase of the relationship.

How do you handle data tracking and reporting?

Modern tracking systems are essential for quality control and compliance. The co-packer should describe their production management software and how it can integrate with your systems. Listen for mentions of real-time monitoring capabilities and automated reporting features that will give you visibility into your production runs.

Evaluating Beverage Co-Packer Compatibility

Finding the right fit goes beyond matching technical specifications. Think of this as a long-term partnership, not just a vendor relationship. Consider how well their team communicates with yours and whether their company culture aligns with your brand values. The best partnerships often develop when both parties share similar quality standards and growth mindsets.

Related: How to Choose Brewery Software: Top Tips and Questions to Ask

Evaluate their track record with similar brands. Have they worked with breweries of your size before? How did they handle those relationships? Don’t hesitate to ask for references – good co-packers should be proud to share their success stories.

Watch for red flags like reluctance to share detailed information about their processes or resistance to facility tours. Transparency is crucial in any co-packing relationship.

Leading Co-Packers in the Beverage Industry

When researching potential partners, it helps to start with established players who have proven track records in beverage production. Here are some notable co-packers who specialize in craft beverage manufacturing, each bringing unique capabilities and specialties to the table. Consider these profiles as a starting point for your search, but remember that the right partner for your brand may not be the biggest or most well-known—you’ll want to find the best fit for your specific needs.

Keep in mind when evaluating these options that geography, minimum runs, and specialized capabilities will all play a role in your final choice. The best way to approach this list is to identify 2-3 potential partners who align with your core requirements, then dig deeper into their specific offerings and compatibility with your brand.

Taking Your Brand to the Next Level

Success with a co-packer isn’t just about finding the right partner—it’s about managing the relationship effectively. Once you’ve found the right co-packing partner, create a clear onboarding plan. Start with a small production run to test the relationship and iron out any process kinks. Establish clear communication channels and regular check-ins from day one. Your co-packer should feel like an extension of your team.

Remember that scaling production is a journey, not a sprint. Work closely with your co-packer to develop realistic timelines for increasing production volumes. Keep communication channels open and be ready to adjust your approach based on early learnings.

Set clear KPIs for success, such as:

• Consistency in flavor profiles
• Production efficiency metrics
• Quality control benchmarks
• Order fulfillment rates
• Communication effectiveness

Tracking these metrics helps you identify wins and challenges early. Regularly reviewing these KPIs with your co-packer creates accountability and provides clear direction for improvements. Consider implementing a quarterly review process to assess performance and adjust strategies as needed.

Ready to Scale Your Brewery Operations? 

Finding the right beverage co-packer is just one piece of the scaling puzzle. You need systems that can grow with you, keeping every aspect of your operation running smoothly as you expand. To truly optimize your operations, you need powerful software that can keep pace with your growth. That’s where Ekos comes in.

Ekos provides comprehensive brewery management software that seamlessly integrates with co-packing operations. From inventory management to TTB reporting, our platform helps you maintain control and visibility while scaling production. Ready to see how Ekos can transform your brewery operations? Book a demo today.