From idea to first sale: the complete guide
Recipe, compliance, packaging, distribution — everything we wish we'd known at the start, condensed into one actionable guide.
Free resources, inspiration and tools to imagine, launch and grow your beverage brand.
Everything we wish we'd known when we launched our first can. Practical and actionable guides, written by people who actually brew.
Recipe, compliance, packaging, distribution — everything we wish we'd known at the start, condensed into one actionable guide.
Understand everything about compliance, excise duties and legal labeling. We explain what PotionLab handles for you.
Production, excise duties, VAT, labels, logistics — everything you need to know to prepare your project well.
E-commerce, delicatessens, hospitality, events, subscriptions — which channel for which brand profile?
Content strategy, UGC, collaborations, viral launch — the tactics that work for beverage brands.
From concept to shelf: complete support for recipe, testing, packaging, production and logistics.
Who it's for, how to prepare your brief, volumes, timelines, costs. Classic pitfalls.
Planning from 500L to 10,000L: volumes, formats, costs and structural decisions.
Advice, optimization, quality, branding — what a strong partner really means.
Brief, quote, tests, validation, production, delivery. The typical flow of a co-packing project.
Information hierarchy, category codes, range consistency and readability in 2 seconds.
The 5 essential pages, storytelling, proof points and SEO basics to sell.
Teasing, sampling, launch, amplification. A realistic plan without an oversized budget.
Why a kitchen recipe doesn't hold at 500-4,000L. The key scale-up adjustments.
Test, taste, adjust, validate. In 3 iterations max, without blowing the budget.
Seam, oxygen, CO₂, purging, temperature. A field guide for perfect cans.
Standardization, quality controls, tolerances and planning for volume.
Bigger doesn't mean worse. The levers to protect flavor at volume.
pH, Brix, CO₂, DO, seam — 5 simple measurements that prevent 80% of problems.
Risks by category and decisions that protect your beverage in distribution.
pH, Brix, aromas, body and balance. The mistakes that ruin stability.
Beer, lemonade, kombucha, tea: different targets. Avoiding gushing.
Beer, kombucha, ginger beer: same principles, different constraints.
Realistic strategies: acidity, aromas, sweeteners, texture. Without losing the pleasure.
Create a memorable product identity with 3 to 5 key components.
Extraction, stability, oxidation. Keeping a clean profile in the can over time.
Impact on taste, logistics, image, costs and recyclability. The right format for you.
Flash, tunnel, alternatives. Decision logic based on your beverage and distribution.
Clear, hazy, pulpy: choosing and maintaining your beverage's style.
Build a signature the market understands in one sentence.
Mandatory information, allergens, nutrition, claims. The pre-print checklist.
Every can tells a story. Here are some of the brands we've supported — from recipe to finished product. Beers, lemonades, functional beverages: each project is unique.

IPA with aromatic hops. Illustrated label with a strong mythological identity.

Sparkling citrus lemonade. Minimalist, colorful design, premium positioning.

Natural energy drink. Clean packaging, health claim, pharma-premium look.

Craft lemonade in a sleek format. Bold design, bright colors, young target.

Belgian beer in a can. Detailed illustration, authentic craft spirit.

A drink made with natural ingredients. Organic branding, wellness positioning.

A creative limited-edition drink. Artistic design, collectible packaging.
Want to launch but don't have a precise idea yet? Here are the segments booming in 2026. Each card includes the market context, trending flavors and how PotionLab can support you.
Lavender-lemon, ginger-yuzu, hibiscus — craft lemonades are the fastest-growing beverage category.
Few producers make still drinks in cans. It's a huge niche. PotionLab is one of the rare labs to offer it.
Launch seasonal limited editions to create buzz, urgency and build customer loyalty.
A can with your company's image for corporate events. The business gift everyone talks about.
No/low alcohol is booming. Create a premium ready-to-drink mocktail in a can and ride the sober-curious wave.
Cold brew, nitro coffee, canned latte — the ready-to-drink coffee market is only just beginning in Europe.
Craft canned kombucha combines digestive health, low sugar content and premium positioning. A market taking shape across Europe.
Guarana, mate, ginseng, natural caffeine — an energy drink without taurine or artificial colors. The "clean energy" segment is booming among 18-35s.
Light, refreshing and low in calories. Hard seltzer is already a $15 billion market in the US and is just starting in Europe.
Spring water infused with cucumber, lemon-mint or red berries. Zero sugar, zero calories, minimalist design — the ultimate wellness segment.
The can is the product. But the brand experience goes further: gift boxes, merch, e-commerce packaging. We've compiled our best suppliers and tips to build a complete brand world around your cans.
The trends booming in the United States and Canada — and heading to Europe. Decoded for entrepreneurs who want to launch their brand at the right time.
Adaptogens, nootropics, probiotics — drinks that "do something" are booming in the US. Europe has 2-3 years to get positioned.
How the can format became the #1 vehicle for functional beverages. From hard seltzer to kombucha, the can wins the packaging war.
0.0% is no longer a bland substitute. New brands create complete taste experiences with botanicals, bitterness and premium packaging.
Fusion flavors, craft sodas, RTD cocktails — the US codes redefining the beverage aisle in Europe. Ginger-lemon, guava-passion, mango-chili.
From idea to can per quote. Fill out the form and we'll guide you.
5 professional templates, customizable directly in Canva. Each template is designed for a different positioning: minimalist, craft, premium, fun and tropical. Adaptable to all can sizes (15cl to 50cl).
A complete business plan template, designed specifically for beverage brands. Covers vision, market research, pricing strategy, marketing plan, financial forecasts and the launch roadmap. Available in Notion and PDF.
From recipe to first customer — the 30 essential steps for a successful launch. Covers ideation, recipe, compliance, packaging, production, distribution and marketing. Tick them off as you progress.
This is the document we send to every new client at PotionLab. On one page, you describe your project: brand name, target, desired flavor profile, positioning, visual inspiration. It's the starting point for any collaboration.
The craft lemonade market is seeing spectacular growth in Europe. Consumers are increasingly turning to natural alternatives to industrial sodas, with bold flavors and quality ingredients.
Canned iced tea is one of the most underestimated opportunities in the European market. Few producers are able to package still beverages in cans — a major competitive advantage.
Seasonal limited editions are a powerful lever to create urgency, generate buzz and build customer loyalty. Pumpkin spice in autumn, Christmas ale in winter, summer edition in summer — every season is an opportunity.
A can with your company's image for corporate events, client gifts and seminars. The original business gift that turns heads and gets everyone talking.
The sober-curious movement is booming in Europe. More and more consumers are looking for sophisticated alternatives to alcohol — and the premium canned mocktail is the perfect answer.
The ready-to-drink coffee market is only just beginning in Europe. Cold brew, nitro coffee, latte — it's one of the most dynamic segments of the beverage market.
Everything you need to know to create a gift box around your cans. Tested suppliers, available formats, seasonal theme ideas and presentation tips. Perfect for gifting, Christmas, Father's/Mother's Day or a brand launch.
Must-haves for launching your brand with merch. We tested dozens of suppliers and compiled the best: quality, reasonable MOQs and a professional finish. With design tips for a pro result.
The best packaging to send your cans by post. A comparison of protective solutions, branding options on the packaging, eco-friendly options. With practical tips for a secure shipment.
Craft canned kombucha combines the benefits of natural fermentation with the convenience of the can. Rich in probiotics, low in sugar and with natural effervescence, it's the ultimate wellness product. The European kombucha market is growing +20% per year and remains very unstructured — a real window of opportunity.
Gen Z and millennials want energy without the chemical ingredients. Guarana, mate, ginseng, green tea, natural caffeine — "clean energy" is the fastest-growing segment of the functional beverage market. Create a natural, credible alternative to the market giants.
The American phenomenon is landing in Europe. Alcoholic sparkling water (hard seltzer) is light, refreshing and low in calories. With a $15 billion market in the US, the first European players are starting to emerge. The timing is ideal to position yourself in this developing segment.
Natural flavored water in a can is the simplest, most universal product. Zero sugar, zero calories, minimalist, clean design. The segment is growing +15% per year in Europe, driven by demand for healthy alternatives to sodas and juices. A product accessible to everyone with premium wellness positioning.
Full tour of our lab in Belgium, step-by-step production process, quality control, behind the scenes of a brew day and canning. We show you everything from the inside — from raw materials to the pallet ready to ship.
Interview with a PotionLab client who launched their artisan lemonade brand from scratch. Their journey, mistakes, first sales, how they reached 2,000 cans sold and their tips for future creators.
The 5 most common mistakes when launching a drink — and how to avoid them. Pricing too low, poor positioning, distribution too broad too soon, neglected branding and a mistimed launch.