We are building
canning machines
because way too
many told us not to.
Nobody will buy canned craft beer!
Unlike many other origin stories, ours didn’t start with romantic way where passion was turned to profession or magical moment stroked founder with genius idea. Hans, our founder had regular 8 to 5 job at bank office. Like many other in similar position, he was open to idea, not to retire at corporate job and kept his eyes open.
Back in 2015 an opportunity occurred. Seeing closely, how his friends from small craft beer brewery (back then, a lot of current players started) struggled with bottling, how slow the process was and how questionable was sanitary part of it, Hans wondered that this may be a problem, brewers are willing to pay for, if solved. Since everybody brewed into bottles back then, Hans thought mobile bottling service would not cut it. He needed put ta twist on it.
Cans instead of bottles
Needs to be referred that back in 2015 it was rare (not to say nonexistent) to see craft beer brewed into cans by small breweries. Maybe it was because of understanding that craft beer needs to be in those 330 ml bottles to look somewhat different from mainstream selection. Maybe it was because lack of available technology or price of that equipment. Also, the legendary myth (still around) that, canned beer tastes bad and only cheap beer is in the cans, played a huge role.
Hans googled shit out of web and found that in recent years mobile canning service has started up in US and found a right mobile canning machine to offer mobile service with. Problem was that it costed salty 120k euros. Banker or not, this money still needed to be loaned.
So how did it go, you may figure? Well, it went like a poem:
- Business plan - done
- List of banks, grant funds - done
- Smile and enthusiasm - done
- Positive feedback (or money) - none
Most of the rejections were about the same – nobody will buy canned craft beer!
Not much more success from multiple tries with start-up accelerators. There committees did not tell us that nobody will buy canned craft bear. Instead, they said that they don’t care, if anybody will buy canned craft beer.
Raising money for the canning machine
Back in bank office
Watching out of window in a rainy day, Hans tried to make some conclusions. Nobody wanted to back his idea, and everyone were sure that canned craft beer is a no go. So, he made most logical conclusion – this needs to be done!
Thankfully Hans had couple of friends with engineering background and around 30k to build his own first prototype of mobile canning machine. Has to be said, that watching back to it, had been a lot cheaper to go with original idea for single unit. First real-life canning tests were done in mid 2016. First “official” mobile canning service was also done in 2016. Very same year we sold our first own made canning machine.
Thankfully, It all worked out.
Yes, there are some sweetness in proving doubters wrong, but this is not why we are doing it. We truly believe that cans give the best beer (or any other carbonated craft drink) experience. We let you to choose, is it because of protection, weight or environmental impact – cans win in all categories.
Canning line producers or mobile canning service providers?
Why not both? Sure is, that we are craft drink enthusiasts and that gets us quickly to the same page with brewers. If You happen to be one, give us a quick “hello” if it can be beneficial for both sides.