In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why Drip Roasters chose Hardtank’s private label process for its RTD line
- How Drip Roasters kept its formula true to the brand with a single black cold brew
- How Hardtank supported Drip Roasters with compliance, packaging, and flexible production
Swiss roastery Drip Roasters has spent years refining its canned cold brew, moving from small-batch production to a scalable private-label RTD line produced with Hardtank.
Founder Fabian Schmid has overseen that evolution firsthand, from early experiments with flavoured formats to a streamlined black coffee product that the brand now ships efficiently across new markets.
We spoke with Fabian about why Drip Roasters chose Hardtank, how the formulation came together, and what the partnership has delivered since launch. Read on for his insights.
Why Drip Roasters chose Hardtank for its RTD line
Drip Roasters had worked with other RTD suppliers before turning to Hardtank’s private label process. For Fabian, the decision came down to demand and operational efficiency.
“We have produced cold canned coffee with other suppliers before, and we still see a growing demand for RTD coffee,” he says. “We see a lot of value in the consistency and efficiency of an RTD cold brew compared to brewing cold brew in small batches every day or a couple of days.”
Keeping the formula true to the Drip Roasters brand
Rather than chasing trends with flavoured or functional additions, Drip Roasters built its RTD around a single, brand-true product.
“Right from when we decided to launch an RTD product, it was clear that we’d launch it as a black coffee product, unsweetened, unflavoured and undiluted, true to what our brand stands for,” Fabian explains. “We did experiment with a flat white for some time and even produced a batch a few years ago, but went back to black cold brew only.”
That focus simplified the development process considerably, though it wasn’t without its own hurdles. “Using only black coffee, we took a lot of variables away, and the process was rather simple,” he says. “Still, a few variables have to be taken into consideration and tested well. Logistics is a challenge too, especially when deliveries are time-sensitive to meet the production schedule.”
Hardtank’s support with compliance, packaging, and branding
One of the areas where Drip Roasters leaned most on Hardtank’s expertise was regulatory compliance and packaging. Hardtank’s guide on how private label beverage companies handle lead times, MOQs, and compliance covers this in depth.
“Hardtank provided a template and all the information we needed to create beautiful packaging,” Fabian says. “They provide nutrient information and all the data we need to be fully compliant with our local regulations. Looking at packaging, basically, we only had to design the labels for our cans, and Hardtank took care of the rest.”
Regulatory compliance is often one of the most overlooked hurdles for roasters entering the RTD category. This is especially true when operating across different national markets with varying labelling and nutrient disclosure requirements.
Handling this internally typically demands dedicated regulatory expertise, time, and resources that many independent roasters simply do not have. By providing ready-made templates and complete nutrient and compliance data, Hardtank removes a significant layer of complexity from the launch process. This lets roasters focus their energy on the parts of the product that matter most to their brand identity, such as label design and visual presentation.
This division of labour also reduces the risk of costly compliance errors that could delay a launch or require reworking packaging after production has already begun. For Drip Roasters, this meant a smoother path from concept to shelf, with the technical and regulatory groundwork already in place before any label design decisions began.
From hot-brewed nitro to cold extraction: results since launch
Drip Roasters’ RTD journey did not start with the current product. The brand initially worked with an unpasteurised, hot-brewed nitro coffee before shifting formats entirely.
“Over the years, we managed to optimise the quality, branding, as well as the pricing for our RTD product,” Fabian says.
“And we have seen demand grow over the last few years. We started with an unpasteurised cold nitro coffee that was brewed hot a couple of years ago. While we really liked the product, it was a nightmare logistically, keeping it refrigerated at all times. We were pleased to find that we got a very similar quality with a cold extraction and a pasteurised product, with a better shelf life, lower costs and energy used for refrigeration, and more reach because of easier shipping, all the while also bringing down the price,” he adds.
Hardtank’s comparison of RTD beverages versus fresh service explores this broader trend, showing how changes in format and process can unlock reach without sacrificing quality.
A partnership built on flexibility
Beyond the technical side of production, Fabian points to the working relationship itself as a key part of the experience.
“The team has been helpful and flexible to meet our requirements, accommodating when coffee arrived late due to customs delays, and working hard to get to the product we had in mind,” he says.
A flexible partnership matters most when a supply chain hits friction, and coffee sourcing is rarely predictable. Customs delays, shifting shipping schedules, and time-sensitive production windows are common realities for roasters working across borders. How a manufacturing partner responds in those moments often defines the relationship more than the initial onboarding process.
For Drip Roasters, working with a flexible team around external delays made a real difference. The brand could maintain its quality standards while keeping the black cold brew formula at the centre of the product.
This kind of responsiveness is particularly valuable for smaller, independent roasters who may not have the internal resources to absorb last-minute changes on their own. It also reflects a broader shift in how private-label RTD manufacturing works best. Rather than a rigid, transactional service, it works as an ongoing collaboration that adapts alongside a brand’s evolving needs and unpredictable supply realities.
Drip Roasters’ experience shows what’s possible when a brand stays true to its coffee while working with a supplier to adapt the formulation and manage compliance and packaging complexity.
Together, they can turn a logistically difficult product into a scalable success. Roasters considering their own private-label RTD can explore Hardtank’s custom formula options or browse Hardtank’s equipment range to see how fresh and canned formats work together.
Drip Roasters: Key takeaways
- Drip Roasters partnered with Hardtank to move from small-batch cold brew to a scalable, unsweetened black cold brew RTD product.
- Hardtank supported Drip Roasters through regulatory compliance, nutrient labelling, and packaging design, and worked flexibly through supply chain delays.
- Switching to a cold extraction, pasteurised process improved shelf life and shipping reach while lowering costs.
Ready to build your own private-label RTD product? Explore Hardtank’s RTD services to get started.
Drip Roasters FAQ
How does Drip Roasters work with Hardtank?
Drip Roasters partners with Hardtank’s private label process to produce a scalable canned RTD cold brew, after previously producing small-batch cold brew and hot-brewed nitro coffee with other suppliers.
Why did Drip Roasters keep its RTD formula unsweetened and unflavoured?
Founder Fabian Schmid wanted the product to stay true to the brand, so Drip Roasters launched a single black cold brew rather than chasing flavoured or functional trends.
How did Hardtank help Drip Roasters with compliance and packaging?
Hardtank provided templates, nutrient information, and compliance data, so Drip Roasters only needed to design the can labels while Hardtank handled the rest.
Want to learn more about launching your own RTD coffee?
- Explore Hardtank’s equipment: Discover why roasters choose Hardtank
- Discover private label RTD: Learn about our private label process
- Speak to the team: Get in touch with Hardtank
