The Start-Up Drinks Lab

Kelburn Business Park

Port Glasgow

History

Back in 2016, Hannah Fisher and Craig Strachan were budding entrepreneurs trying to launch their own soft drinks brands. They both found the same problem, which was finding a place where they could devolop their recipes, test them and then have them bottled. A chance meeting at Entrepreneurial Spark, a work shop for entrepreneurs in Glasgow, saw them join forces to try to combat the issue. They got to work and in 2017 they formed The Start-Up Drinks Lab. The company’s mission was to create a place where they could help craft sodas, mixers, beers and ciders and get into the market by offering a “one-stop shop” of liquid consultancy, branding, product development and packaging. In early 2018 they opened their facility in Post Glasgow.

The Brands

As well as working with other companies to create brands, they have also launched a few of their own. Just the Tonic is a Scottish tonic water that has been created to “let the gin sing” compared to some of the other tonics out there that over-power the gin. They have even tried to take on the big boys by launching their Wee Davie Cola (in reference to David and Goliath), they also make another great Scottish cola called Alba at their warehouse. Most recently they have also capitalised in the growing non-alcoholic category by releasing Sparkling Sober, a non-alcoholic Champagne-inspired range of drinks with flavours such as Nosé, a blend of Rhubarb, Elderflower with a hint of Ginger spice, replicating notes found in Rosé champagne and the Nomosa with Blood Orange, Mango and Chilli to mimic a classic Mimosa.

Why visit

The Lab isn’t open to the public but if you have an interest in what they do or are thinking about doing something similar then they are always open for you to come down and have a look around.

Interesting fact

Between them Hannah and Craig are no strangers to winning awards for their business that includes Scottish EDGE Finalists Scottish Enterprise Collaboration Prize Winners 2017, Finalists for Virgin VOOM pitch off 2017, Finalists for SIS Pitch for Purpose 2017, Finalists for Great British Entrepreneur Awards #GoDo category, Scottish EDGE Round 10 semi finalists, Scottish EDGE Round 12 Winners, and Scottish Enterprise Unlocking Ambition Challenge Winners 2018