Resources for Beverage Brands Preparing for Production

Helpful guidance for brands planning contract brewing, RTD production, non-alcoholic beverages, packaging, and commercial scale-up.

What to Know Before Starting a Beverage

Production Project

A successful production run starts before the first batch is made. Brands should have a clear understanding of the product they want to produce,

the intended packaging format, expected volume, sales channel, timeline, and commercial goals.

  • Product type

  • Target customer

  • Packaging format

  • Expected production volume

  • Launch timeline

  • Sales channel

  • Distribution plan

  • Label and branding status

  • Product type

  • Target customer

  • Packaging format

  • Expected production volume

  • Launch timeline

  • Sales channel

  • Distribution plan

  • Label and branding status

Production Readiness Checklist

Before starting a project, it helps to gather the key details that will shape the production plan.

  • Beverage type

  • Alcoholic or non-alcoholic format

  • Recipe or product concept

  • Target flavor profile

  • Expected batch size

  • Can or keg format

  • Label artwork status

  • Desired launch date

  • Retail, wholesale, taproom, or direct sales plan

  • Repeat production expectations

  • Beverage type

  • Alcoholic or non-alcoholic format

  • Recipe or product concept

  • Target flavor profile

  • Expected batch size

  • Can or keg format

  • Label artwork status

  • Desired launch date

  • Retail, wholesale, taproom, or direct sales plan

  • Repeat production expectations

Packaging Decisions That Matter

Packaging affects production planning, cost, shelf presentation, distribution, and customer experience.

Brands should think through how the product will be sold before finalizing the packaging format.

  • 12 oz cans

  • 16 oz cans

  • 24 oz cans

  • 32 oz cans

  • 4-pack format

  • 6-pack format

  • Full case configuration

  • Keg format

  • Label requirements

  • Retail shelf presentation

  • Distribution and storage needs

  • 12 oz cans

  • 16 oz cans

  • 24 oz cans

  • 32 ox cans

  • 4-pack format

  • 6-pack format

  • Full case configuration

  • Keg format

  • Label requirements

  • Retail shelf presentation

  • Distribution and storage needs

Questions to Ask Before Scaling a Beverage Product

Scaling too early without a clear production and sales plan can create unnecessary cost, inventory issues,

or missed expectations. IO helps brands think through the practical side of growth.

  • Do you have repeat demand?

  • Do you know your expected monthly volume?

  • Do you have packaging finalized?

  • Do you understand your sales channel?

  • Do you need retail or wholesale readiness?

  • Do you need help planning repeat production?

  • Do you have a realistic launch timeline?

  • Do you have repeat demand?

  • Do you know your expected monthly volume?

  • Do you have packaging finalized?

  • Do you understand your sales channel?

  • Do you need retail or wholesale readiness?

  • Do you need help planning repeat production?

  • Do you have a realistic launch timeline?

What to Include When You Start a Project

The more detail you provide, the easier it is to understand your production needs and recommend the right next step.

  • Company or brand name

  • Product type

  • Current stage of development

  • Desired production volume

  • Packaging format

  • Timeline

  • Target market

  • Current challenges

  • Any existing recipe, formula, or product samples

  • Whether this is a first run, repeat run, or scale-up project

  • Company or brand name

  • Product type

  • Current stage of development

  • Desired production volume

  • Packaging format

  • Timeline

  • Target market

  • Current challenges

  • Any existing recipe, formula, or product samples

  • Whether this is a first run, repeat run, or scale-up project