Silverskin Coffee Roasters is a Dublin-based specialty coffee company founded in 2012. Silverskin is dedicated to constantly improving its craft, driving passion for quality and innovation in the broader coffee space, and roasting an ever-changing menu of excellent single-origin coffees.
Part of Silverskin’s product offering includes what the company describes as Ireland’s first true cold brew. Today, that cold brew is packaged and sold in sleek aluminium cans for grab-and-go consumption, available in three distinct flavours: cold brew nitro, cold brew true, and a cold brew oat flat white.
Silverskin Coffee is ahead of the times. The team identified the spike in cold brew popularity early on and married a high-quality brewing process with sleek branding and design combined with intriguing product stratification.
The company brews its true cold brew with the help of Hardtank equipment, and we spoke with Brian Kenny, Silverskin Coffee’s director, to learn more about how Hardtank equipment is helping their production processes.

Why did Silverskin Coffee choose Hardtank?
Hardtank commercial cold brew machines come in various setups. The Hardtank 20 is a larger machine capable of producing up to 1,250 portions of cold brew per day. It can also be fitted with one or two built-in nitro taps for direct nitro coffee dispensing post-brewing – in this format, it is called the Hardtank 1T or 2T, respectively.
For smaller operations, like coffee shops, cafés, or boutique roasters, the Baby Hardtank may be a better fit. With an award-winning design and a small 30 cm x 30 cm footprint, it’s perfect for a cold brewing display in the coffee shop environment, adding to the consumer experience, all while producing the highest-quality cold brew.
Silverskin Coffee uses the Hardtank 20, so we asked Brian about the motivations behind switching from traditional brewing to a modern cold brew machine and how that change has improved his business’ performance.
“The motivation came from a need to improve the quality and consistency of our cold brew while also tackling some operation challenges,” says Brian.
“Before investing in the Hardtank, the production process was quite a labour-intensive and inefficient operation, especially as it began to scale up. The Hardtank has been a game-changer, offering a controlled brewing environment that ensures consistency across multiple batches.
“It has also given us the freedom to experiment with new recipes, knowing we can maintain the same high standards. The reduction in labour requirements combined with the improvements in brewing precision has been invaluable.”
Brewed in the traditional fashion, cold brew preparation can drain company resources, be wasteful, and potentially be unsafe or less hygienic. By replacing this traditional approach with a commercial cold brew machine like Hardtank 20, coffee companies can free up staff to focus on other business-critical tasks, limit their wastage and improve yields, and have greater peace of mind that their cold brew is safe thanks to food-grade aluminium components and a built-in storage and cleaning system.
“The Hardtank’s automated process has massively reduced the amount of hands-on work needed to produce cold brew,” Brian adds.
“It takes out the need for constant supervision, freeing up staff to focus elsewhere. This has not only made us more efficient as a company but also helped keep labour costs in check, all while scaling up production without compromising quality.”

How does Silverskin Coffee leverage other Hardtank advantages?
Alongside operation efficiencies and greater product quality, Hardtank cold brew machines offer the chance for product innovation without adding further business or development complexities.
“We have definitely tapped into the versatility of the Hardtank,” says Brian.
“We have experimented with nitro cold brew and even developed unique options like oat milk cold brew flat whites for our RTD portfolio. While coffee is still the main focus, we are excited to branch out into areas like cold brew tea and cocktail infusions.
“These possibilities will not only help us diversify our range but also open doors to further collaborations with cafés and businesses searching for something a bit different.”
Hardtank equipment does not just brew coffee beverages. The Baby Hardtank, for example, can be used to prepare various different infusions, using the stainless steel basket to house tea, spirits, or cascara, and prepare alternative beverages as smoothly and quickly as it brews coffee.
As modern consumers seek more varied and innovative beverage options, be it in-store or on-the-go, Hardtank equipment helps companies keep satisfying expectations.

What does the future hold for Silverskin Coffee?
“The future of cold brew looks really promising,” says Brian.
“It is no longer just a summer drink – people are enjoying it all year round as it fits with their busy lifestyles and preference for ready-to-drink options.
“I see cold brew growing well beyond coffee, with innovations in flavour profiles, packaging, and collaborations with other industries. As the market matures, I think we will see more premium options and a stronger connection between cold brew and the world of specialty coffee.”
Brian makes a key point in the appeal and potential of cold brew – that it works seamlessly with both RTD and specialty coffee trends. Cold brew itself is growing at a rapid rate, but when combined with the momentum behind specialty coffee growth and convenient coffee, the sky is the limit.
“Cold brew is a brilliant way to showcase the unique qualities of specialty coffee,” Brian adds.
“The brewing process often highlights sweetness and more delicate flavour notes, often lost in other methods. When you start with high-quality, carefully sourced beans, cold brew becomes a fantastic way to introduce people to specialty coffee in an accessible and refreshing format. For us, it’s about combining convenience with quality.
To source your own commercial cold brew machine and get started with your cold brew journey, visit our website or get in touch with us directly.
To learn more about cold brewing, catch up on our recent cold brew masterclass.
Silverskin Coffee