Stadshaven Brewery established itself in Rotterdam’s harbour over two years ago and has quickly become the second largest independent craft brewery in the Netherlands. They are renowned for producing the city’s most sustainable beer.
Where beer, history, and sea creatures meet
The brewery recently expanded its portfolio to include canned beers, starting with two unique brews – Octopus Blond and Moray IPA. Each beer at Stadshaven tells a story of a crew embarking on an adventurous voyage in search of exotic fruits, encountering different sea creatures along the way. This nautical theme is incorporated not only in the branding but also in the brewing process itself.
Stadshaven’s location in Rotterdam’s Merwe-Vierhavens holds a rich history that has influenced their craft beer production. Once a bustling fruit port, the site, now occupied by the brewery, used to be a warehouse for citrus fruits in the 1970s. Stadshaven takes great pride in this historical connection.
“For us, it’s beer plus fruit,” says Stadshaven’s marketeer Nina Landl. “We infuse fresh fruit into the hop gun during the brewing process, giving the beer a subtle twist that enhances its flavor. This way, the history of the fruit port lives on in our beers and branding.”
To sleeve or not to sleeve
Stadshaven was determined to create distinctive cans that would tell a story and pay homage to the harbour’s past. Another crucial factor in their decision-making process was sustainability, a core value for the brewery. Stadshaven strives to be a leading example of a circular economy, with initiatives like 1000 solar panels on the building’s roof and repurposing spent grain.
“Digital printing allows us to utilize the entire can for content and illustration, freeing us from the limitations of labels,” highlights Nina. “Additionally, the infinitely recyclable nature of cans, combined with the absence of plastic labels, contributes to a more sustainable recycling process.”
According to the Aluminum Association’s design guide, cans without sleeves have higher recoverability rates. With digital printing technology now being competitively priced compared to shrink-wrapped cans, digitally printed cans maintain recyclability while avoiding hazardous emissions released during the de-lacquering thermal treatment of plastics or adhesives.
However, the minimum order limit for printed cans often poses a hurdle for businesses. NOMOQ, which stands for No Minimum Order Quantity, offers a solution. As the first provider of digital can printing in Europe, NOMOQ assists beverage companies and breweries of any size order.
When it comes to starting the canning process with their two brews, Stadshaven selected digital printing to align with their values and achieve a premium look. This led to the brewery’s partnership with NOMOQ.
“NOMOQ takes pride in working with industry pioneers who challenge the norm. We are dedicated to helping partners like Stadshaven pursue more sustainable options and create cans that are works of art rather than just labels,” emphasizes the team at NOMOQ.
The brewery’s newly designed cans made their debut at the Gastvrij Rotterdam event, where over 500 food and beverage participants were present.
“At Gastvrij, our cans received numerous compliments. People were impressed by the striking illustrations and the premium feel of the cans,” shares Nina. “Although we initially started with Octopus Blond and Moray IPA for a trial run, everyone is already eagerly anticipating the release of our next cans. The first impressions have been extremely positive.”
For a glimpse of our artistic cans, visit our Instagram page. If you’re interested in ordering your own free sample or learning more, please visit nomoq.com.
