Packaging: what are craft breweries looking for? We asked four of our customers.

In the world of craft beer, packaging is not just a container: it is an integral part of the product's identity. Caps and labels protect the quality of the beer, but at the same time they tell the brand story, attract attention on the shelves, and contribute to the consumer experience.

To better understand what really matters to producers when choosing a packaging supplier, we met with some of our customers during the latest edition of BBTech / Beer & Food Attraction. We asked them three simple questions:

1. What do you look for in a packaging supplier?
2. How are you getting on with P•ink?
3. How did the trade show go for you?

The responses we collected clearly illustrate the needs of today's craft breweries: quality, reliability, flexibility, and speed.

👉🏻 Want to learn more? Read the full interviews on our Instagram page!

Quality, price, and service: the basis of every choice

For Paolo from Birrificio di Naon, choosing a supplier is based on three fundamental factors: quality, price, and service.

"I definitely start with the concept of quality, then price and service. Service is particularly important: the speed with which orders are fulfilled."

In an industry where production and bottling times are often tight, speed can make the difference between a smooth process and a slowdown in production.
It is therefore not just a question of having a good product, but also of being able to count on a partner capable of responding quickly to the brewery's operational needs.

Reliable packaging and suppliers who solve problems

For Birra 100Venti, packaging also has a strong technical dimension.
Oliviero, the brewery's founder, emphasizes how important it is to work with suppliers who help simplify day-to-day operations.

“The importance of the supplier is that they help us solve problems, because there are many in the production process. If the supplier removes some of them, it is definitely an added value.”

In the case of caps, for example, quality is also essential from the point of view of product preservation.

“The product we buy must be reliable. In the case of caps, it must ensure that oxygen take-up remains very low, so that the bottle maintains this condition even after closure.”

This aspect is crucial for preserving the aromas and freshness of beer over time. But in addition to the technical quality of the product, another important element emerges: collaboration.

“What we look for in suppliers is a relationship based on mutual exchange, reliability, and problem solving.”

Flexibility and speed: the needs of craft breweries

If there is one word that comes up most often in interviews, it is definitely flexibility.

Craft breweries often work with smaller volumes than large industrial producers and need solutions that are suited to their production scale.

Oliviero from Birra 100Venti explains it clearly:

“As a small brewery, P•ink ’s advantage P•ink flexibility. We don’t make millions of caps, so having a reliable supplier that allows smaller orders is essential.”

Flexibility also applies to operational management.

“Having the website and being able to navigate it independently without having to exchange dozens of emails is an advantage.”

For Oscar from The Wall Craft Brewery, flexibility and speed are also among the most important characteristics in a packaging supplier.

“We serve many different brands, so we need flexibility in product type and speed of delivery.”

When a brewery works with different beer lines or collaborations, being able to count on fast and adaptable supplies becomes essential for managing production.

Customization even for small batches

Another increasingly widespread requirement in the craft world is the ability to customize packaging even for limited production runs.

The Claterna Agricultural Brewery emphasizes this very aspect.

“It is important to have a supplier that allows you to have everything together: bottle, label, cap.”

But above all:

“We liked the speed and the ability to customize even small batches.”

Thanks to this opportunity, the brewery was able to create custom caps for its limited edition Rusticana Slow, which proved to be particularly successful: the beer won the gold medal in the "Beers with fruit" category at the Unionbirrai Beer of the Year awards.

A concrete example of how packaging can also contribute to enhancing special projects and seasonal productions.

The experience with P•ink

When we asked breweries how they feel about working with P•ink, the words that came up most often were speed, flexibility, and simplicity.

Paolo di Birra di Naon recounts an experience that particularly struck him:

“I was delighted. I was used to much longer waiting times, of three to five weeks. With P•ink received my order one week after confirmation.”

The Wall also confirms a positive experience:

“We are very satisfied. They are flexible and quick, and we have never encountered any problems.”

For craft breweries, having a partner that combines the strength of a large manufacturer with the flexibility needed for small batches can make a big difference.

And this is precisely where P•ink comes in.

P•ink: custom packaging for craft drinks

P•ink within the Pelliconi group with the aim of offering customized packaging solutions designed specifically for craft drink producers.
Thanks to digital printing, customers can order small batches of:

• custom crown caps
• custom labels

choosing from different design options, materials, and colors.

All this with fast delivery times: in less than three weeks.

This approach allows manufacturers to:

• launch limited editions
• test new product lines
• update packaging more frequently
• maintain a strong visual impact on the market

without having to manage large production quantities.

BBTech: a meeting point for the sector

The interviews were conducted during BBTech / Beer & Food Attraction, one of the most important events for the beverage sector in Italy.

For many breweries, the fair is a valuable opportunity to meet customers, suppliers, and new contacts.

As Oliviero from Birra 100Venti recounts:

“The trade fair is going well. There are many contacts, and you can both make new acquaintances and consolidate existing ones.”

For us at P•ink also an important opportunity to meet face-to-face with the breweries we work with throughout the year and discuss their needs.
Because, as these interviews show, packaging is not just a product: it is an ongoing collaboration between those who produce it and those who use it to tell their brand story.