Launching a hemp beverage line? Your first few production runs are where everything gets real. Whether you’re working with a new contract manufacturer, testing a reformulated product, or scaling up to a new line, these early-stage moments are high-stakes.

One misstep, and you're looking at missed ship dates, failed COAs, or worse - lost trust from distributors and customers.

After working with dozens of brands through their launch phases, we’ve seen the same five mistakes come up again and again. The good news? Every one of them is avoidable.

Mistake #1: Incompatible Formulations That Sabotage Potency

What Happens:

Your formula looks great on paper, but in the tank, things start falling apart. The cannabinoids don’t stay where they should, and potency tests come back off-spec. That leads to unsellable product, regulatory risk, and shaken confidence from your partners.

What’s Usually to Blame:

• Polyphenols in teas and fruit extracts destabilizing your emulsion

• Preservatives that don’t play well with cannabinoids

• Flavors or pH levels that shock your emulsion particles

• Emulsifier breakdown from aggressive ingredient interactions

The Fix:

Don’t wait for production day to test for compatibility. Vet your ingredients with your formulation houses and analytical labs early on. We’ve seen hundreds of beverage formulas and can help flag what works - and what definitely doesn’t.

Mistake #2: Can Liners That Steal Your Cannabinoids

The Problem:

Your COA might look perfect pre-fill, but once the product is in the can, cannabinoids start binding to the liner. It’s called scalping, and it leads to underdosed product in-market, even if your tank was spot-on.

Why It’s a Big Deal:

Scalping isn’t always easy to catch. The cannabinoids don’t disappear - they just stick to the liner instead of staying in the beverage. So your customer gets less than what’s on the label.

How to Know It’s Happening:

Use a can rinse test with a strong solvent to pull residual cannabinoids from the liner. That tells you how much product you’re losing to the packaging.

Liners That Work:

• ValPure Gen II BPANI V70Q11

• ValPure Gen II BPANI V70Q38

Liners to Avoid:

• Gen I BPANI

• PPG Acrylic-based Gen II BPANI

Pro Tip:

Verify what liner you actually received - spec sheets aren’t always accurate. FTIR Spectroscopy can confirm the liner's true makeup and save you from a costly oversight.

Mistake #3: Mixing Procedures That Wreck Potency and Homogeneity

What Goes Wrong:

The order in which you add your ingredients matters. Bad sequencing or mixing can lead to an uneven distribution of emulsion, which can throw potency off from can to can.

The Right Way to Mix:

1. Add processing aids, flavors, colorants, and preservatives

2. Mix thoroughly and confirm integration

3. Add your hemp emulsion last - always

4. Mix until fully homogeneous

Must-Follow Rules:

• Never add emulsion before straining - too much gets trapped

• Avoid adding to extreme pH or temps

• Carbonate only after full mixing is complete

Why It Matters:

You only get one chance to dose right. Homogeneous mixing is the difference between a compliant, consistent product and a chaotic batch of guesswork.

Mistake #4: Calculation Errors That Drain Your Budget

The Problem:

Manufacturing always involves some loss - material stuck in tanks, lines, or filters. If you don’t plan for it, your final product will come out underdosed and non-compliant.

What You Need to Know:

• Expect to overdose to account for losses

• Emulsion potency varies slightly from batch to batch - adjust accordingly

• Use tools to calculate exact dosing before each run

The Smart Fix:

We’ve built custom batch calculators that factor in emulsion strength, batch size, and loss factors - just plug in your numbers and go.

And remember: overdosing isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, improving your process flow is the more efficient (and cost-saving) fix.

Mistake #5: Skipping Tank Testing on Early Runs

The Risk:

If you wait until the product is in the can to test, you’re out of options. Testing straight from the tank gives you a chance to catch and correct problems before it's too late.

Why It’s Worth It:

• You can still tweak and salvage your batch

• Prevents full runs of underdosed or inconsistent product

• Gives you validation data to scale confidently

• Saves tens of thousands in potential loss

Best Practice:

Test potency before canning. Pull samples from multiple points in the tank to check homogeneity. Record the results - they’ll help you fine-tune future batches.

It might add a day or two to your timeline, but it could save your entire production run.

The Bottom Line: Early-Stage Wins Set the Tone

Launching a hemp beverage is hard enough without preventable mistakes tanking your first runs. The brands that make it long-term are the ones that slow down, test thoroughly, and get the fundamentals right.

We’ve helped hundreds of founders avoid these pitfalls - and we’d love to help you do the same.

Ready to Nail Your First Production Run?

Perfectly Dosed emulsions are built for ease, but dialing in a few milligrams of cannabinoids in a 12 oz drink takes precision. From compatibility testing and mixing SOPs to batch calculators and live production support, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s make your first run a success. Contact Perfectly Dosed for technical guidance, formulation checks, and early-stage support that sets your beverage up to win.