In the competitive world of craft beer, efficiency and quality are key to meeting growing demand. Beavertown Brewery, a renowned craft brewery in the UK, faced the challenge of scaling up production capacity without compromising product quality or traceability.
The Challenge
Beavertown experienced rapid growth, scaling from 700-liter batches to 10,000-liter runs—equivalent to 77,000 liters of beer per week. To meet this demand, they upgraded to a high-speed canning line capable of handling 200 cans per minute.
However, production conditions posed additional challenges: temperatures between -1°C and 0°C, and condensation forming on the cans. This made coding more difficult and required robust equipment that could perform in cold, damp environments.
The Solution
To address these challenges, Beavertown implemented a continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer from Linx Printing Technologies. The printer stood out for its ease of use, compatibility with high-speed canning lines, and reliable performance in humid environments.
Its IP55 rating allowed it to operate during filling and withstand daily line washdowns. The Linx printer applied single-line codes using fast-drying black ink on the lower rim of the cans—ensuring accurate placement and excellent readability in a small area. Each code included expiry dates and batch numbers, essential for product traceability.
The Results
With Linx technology, Beavertown was able to maintain code clarity and consistency, even as line speeds varied. Linx’s automated service assistant allowed for self-servicing without needing engineer intervention, minimizing downtime.
The high-resolution touchscreen interface made operation intuitive and reduced the chances of operator error—speeding up code changes between batches.
Tom Jones, Deputy Head of Production at Beavertown Brewery, stated:
“The Linx printer has been the ideal solution to help us meet the growing demand for our canned beer. It can keep up with our canning line and the IP55 rating is a real bonus, as we wash down the line after every shift. Just as importantly, the touchscreen interface is simply designed and allows us to change codes very quickly after each batch.”
Conclusion
Beavertown Brewery’s experience highlights how Linx coding solutions can be tailored to the specific needs of the craft beer industry—improving efficiency, ensuring quality, and supporting compliance. Choosing the right coding technology is essential to staying competitive in a constantly evolving market.