Bench Testing Non-Beer Products: A Crucial Step for Craft Beverage Innovators
East Coast Canning & Printing doesn’t bench test in house, please see the attached document to understand WHO can perform bench testing and what they require.
https://eastcoastcanning.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ECC-Bench-Testing-Advice-2024-NEW.pdf
In the fast-evolving world of ready-to-drink beverages, innovation doesn’t stop at beer. From hard seltzers and natural wine spritzes to kombucha, nitro cold brew, and alcohol-free aperitifs—today’s beverage creators are pushing the boundaries of what goes in a can.
But here’s the thing: not all liquids behave the same. That’s why bench testing is one of the most important (and overlooked) steps in bringing non-beer products to market.
What is Bench Testing?
Bench testing is a small-scale trial run of your product using the actual equipment and packaging format it will experience on filling day—most often cans. It allows you to understand how your liquid behaves during the filling, seaming, and storage process, without the pressure (and cost) of a full production run.
Why It’s Especially Important for Non-Beer Products
Beer is a well-studied, predictable filling material. But once you move beyond it, everything changes. Non-beer beverages often have:
- Different viscosities
- Variable carbonation levels (or none at all)
- Suspended solids (like fruit pulp or botanicals)
- Acidic or low-alcohol compositions that may impact corrosion or shelf life
- Foaming or nitro properties that behave unpredictably during filling
These differences can drastically affect how your beverage fills, how it seams, and how it holds up on shelf.
At bench testing, technical experts assess a few key factors when bench testing non-beer products:
- Foaming Behaviour
Some products foam far more aggressively than anticipated. That could lead to underfills, messy runs, or CO₂ loss. - Filling Speed and Flow
If a product is thicker or more particulate-heavy, we need to know if it slows down the line or clogs the filling valves. - Seam Integrity
Acidic or highly carbonated liquids can impact the can seam. We’ll test seams post-fill to ensure durability and compliance. - Nitrogen Drop Compatibility
If your product requires a liquid nitrogen drop for shelf stability or can rigidity (common in still beverages), we’ll assess how it responds to the drop—does it foam? Does it spike pressure? - Shelf Stability Indicators
Bench Testing = Insurance for Your Fill Day
Let’s be honest—filling day is stressful. Your entire team is watching. Time is money. Cans are stacked. And the last thing you want is an unexpected problem you could’ve predicted with a simple bench test.
Whether you’re making a botanical spritz, a cold brew, or a prebiotic soda, bench testing isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. It reduces risk, improves shelf performance, and helps you sleep at night.
