IN Brief:
- Brand Tap will manage UK importation, warehousing, and sales for Colorado-based Spirit Hound Distillers.
- The relationship followed a BCMPA-supported Colorado trade mission organised by the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
- Early co-packing discussions could add a UK onshoring element to the spirits partnership.
Brand Tap has secured new international business with Spirit Hound Distillers, taking responsibility for the Colorado producer’s UK importation, warehousing, and sales.
The partnership followed a trade mission to Colorado in May 2024, organised by the Colorado Department of Agriculture and supported by the BCMPA, the Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment & Logistics. BCMPA CEO Emma Verkaik joined four association members on the visit, including Brand Tap CEO Chris Sadler.
Spirit Hound Distillers, based in Lyons, Colorado, hosted the visitors during the mission, where initial discussions with Brand Tap began. The current phase gives the distiller a first structured route into UK sales and distribution, with Brand Tap managing importation, logistics, warehousing, and sales to consumers, retailers, and wholesalers.
The first 2026 shipment included more than 580 cases and 3,500 bottles across four different spirits. Brand Tap and Spirit Hound are also in early-stage discussions over potential co-packing opportunities, which could bring a UK onshoring element into the partnership as volumes develop.
Brand Tap works with spirits producers seeking to establish or expand their UK presence, offering market-entry support across distribution, sales, retailer relationships, and fulfilment. For premium and craft producers entering a new geography, that operating model can reduce the complexity of import rules, stockholding, excise, channel access, and customer fulfilment.
Emma Verkaik, CEO of the BCMPA, said: “Brand Tap’s success with Spirit Hound Distillers underlines the power of trade associations in helping members open up new opportunities. The CDA asked the BCMPA to identify companies for the trade mission who met the requirements to be onshoring partners.”
She added that discussions during the visit covered the growing need for onshoring as brands look for shorter and more resilient supply chains in new markets.
Chris Sadler, CEO of Brand Tap, said: “Partnering with Spirit Hound Distillers has been an exciting journey from the very first tasting in Lyons. The quality of their spirits speaks for itself, and we’re proud to be bringing an exceptional American Single Malt Whisky to UK drinkers. The support of the CDA and the BCMPA have been instrumental in making this happen.”
International growth in beverage categories increasingly depends on local execution rather than simple export. Spirits producers entering the UK need more than a shipment and a sales contact. They need warehousing, compliance support, excise management, channel knowledge, fulfilment capability, and stock availability that can serve both trade and consumer routes.
Production and packaging decisions are also becoming more closely linked to logistics and market access. The integrated approach explored in Soft drink packaging shifts towards integrated efficiency reflects a wider beverage trend: growth is shaped by how well production, packing, distribution, and compliance operate together.
For co-packers, fulfilment providers, and specialist distributors, the Brand Tap deal shows how overseas producers are using local partners to reduce the friction of entering new markets. A first shipment of 3,500 bottles remains modest in production terms, but it creates a platform for repeat volumes, trade development, and potential value-added UK activity.
If the relationship moves into co-packing, the work could extend beyond importation into secondary packaging, relabelling, mixed cases, seasonal packs, or later-stage bottling and finishing, depending on regulatory and commercial requirements. Shorter routes, lower inventory risk, and more responsive supply chains are becoming part of the beverage growth model, particularly for brands testing demand before committing to larger infrastructure.
