Little City: Iconic Austin Coffee Roaster Distributing Nitro Coffee through Petainer Kegs

For over two decades, Little City Coffee Roasters has been an iconic presence in Austin, Texas, renowned for sourcing limited-batch coffee from countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Myanmar, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mexico. As the brand evolved, the team recognised an opportunity to broaden their nitro cold brew offerings beyond Austin’s city limits.

Seeking a packaging solution that would simplify operations, reduce the logistical hassles of stainless steel keg returns, and support sustainable growth, Little City turned to Petainer’s one-way hybrid kegs. This strategic move enabled them not only to expand their market reach but also to secure a high-profile partnership with Austin FC Major League Soccer.

The Challenge: Expanding Distribution and Ensuring Quality

Little City Coffee Roasters faced several challenges while trying to expand their nitro cold brew distribution. They needed a solution that would allow them to serve a high-volume market without the complications and costs associated with traditional stainless steel keg systems. Their main challenges included:

• Logistical Complexity: Traditional steel kegs require deposits, retrieval, and cleaning, which complicate distribution—especially when dealing with food distributors not set up for returns.
• High Capital Costs: Investing in a large fleet of steel kegs and the associated return logistics is cost-prohibitive for a growing business.
• Maintaining Product Quality: Ensuring that nitro cold coffee retains its signature creamy texture and fresh flavor during transit and storage is critical for customer satisfaction.
• Scalability: The need for a solution that could be scaled easily to meet demand from major markets and high-profile venues without excessive upfront investment.

The Solution: Petainer’s One-Way Hybrid Kegs

Little City Coffee Roasters adopted Petainer’s one-way hybrid kegs to overcome these challenges. The solution was designed to integrate seamlessly into existing dispensing systems while addressing logistical and environmental concerns. Petainer’s kegs offered several key advantages:

• Seamless Distributor Acceptance: The one-way design eliminates the need for deposits or return logistics, making it easier for food distributors to handle and adopt.
• Nitro-Ready Construction: The kegs are pre-purged with nitrogen, which is crucial for maintaining the velvety texture and consistent flavor profile of nitro cold brew.
• Sustainability & Cost Savings: By eliminating hot-water washes and reducing the need for heavy cleaning equipment, these PET kegs cut down on water usage and chemical cleaners. Their lightweight, recyclable design further lowers transport costs and reduces the environmental footprint.
• Ease of Use: Delivered sanitized and ready to fill, the kegs simplify on-site operations by removing the need for specialized cleaning or handling procedures.

Results: Simplified Logistics, Market Expansion & Enhanced Quality

The implementation of Petainer’s one-way hybrid kegs has delivered tangible benefits for Little City Coffee Roasters. The new packaging solution has streamlined operations, reduced overheads, and bolstered the brand’s market presence. Key outcomes include:

• Streamlined Logistics: With no need to manage keg returns or deposits, both the roaster and its distributors experienced smoother operations and lower shipping costs.
• Expanded Market Reach: The simplified system enabled Little City to extend its distribution into major Texas cities and secure a partnership with the Austin FC Major League Soccer team—demonstrating the solution’s scalability and broad appeal.
• Enhanced Product Freshness: Leveraging nitrogen-purged kegs has preserved the creamy texture and aromatic profile of the nitro cold brew, ensuring that every serving meets the high standards customers expect.

We chose Petainer Kegs as they offer convenience and the ability to expand outside of Austin. Food distributors simply won’t deal with the return logistics required by steel kegs, so Petainer made perfect sense.

Eric Wolf, Coffee Director at Little City Coffee Roasters

Conclusion: A Future of Sustainable and Scalable Nitro Coffee Distribution

Little City Coffee Roasters’ successful adoption of Petainer’s one-way hybrid kegs demonstrates that even established, local brands can innovate to meet modern market demands. By eliminating the complexities and costs of traditional steel kegs, Little City has streamlined its operations, expanded its market reach, and preserved the premium quality of its nitro cold brew.

This case study serves as a powerful example of how sustainable packaging solutions can drive growth and enhance product quality while reducing environmental impact.