We are so excited to be adding Kutztown Soda Works to our list of awesome sodas! They offer the classics in glass bottles like red cream, root beer, orange & cream plus 4 other flavors. Kutztown brings something unique to the table as well, they are the only craft soda brand that carries their product in 24oz plastic bottles...in 9 flavors!
A little history on Kutztown Soda works:
Kutztown Soda Works has the distinction of being one of Kutztown's oldest continually operated businesses. In 1851, Ed Immel began bottling beverages from an excellent spring near Main St. & Constitution Blvd. until 1888, when he sold the business to Cyrus Rhode and his son John. The Rhodes built a bottling plant at the rear of the homes located on Peach St.
The company had switched a few hands of ownership and then prohibition was enacted in 1920. The current owner, Percy Keodinger, focused more on production of soft drinks. He developed a well-liked list of 16 flavors, his most popular item being birch beer, his own recipe. Soon after the repeal of the prohibition, the production of soft drinks increased and the building became too small. So in 1940 Keodinger purchased the Leibovitz Shirt Factory, formally a schoolhouse, of New York, New York which is the current location. The schoolhouse was then demolished and the current building erected on the site, the foundation of the school still remains intact.
After World War II Keodingers' nephews, Donald "Barney" Bieber and his brother "Elly" Bieber worked at the bottling works. In 1962, they purchased the business and property from their uncle Percy Keodinger. The two brothers continued operations of the soft drink line. Distribution rights were acquired in1954, allowing the KUTZTOWN BOTTLING WORKS INC. to become a supplier of soft drinks and beer to a larger area of customers. In 1989, after many years in the business Barney and Elly decided it was time to retire and sold the business to Barney's daughter Audrey and her husband Donald "Spike" Miller.
In 2002 the Kutztown Soda Works was formed and incorporated to focus on the Kutztown soda brands. The new corporation was spearheaded by Spike and Audrey’s son Tom. In December 2007 both businesses were sold to Jeff and Dana Taylor who continue to carry on the tradition.
What a great history!
They are also known to say "Nix Besser!" Nix Besser evokes the region's rich, centuries-old brewing history. A well-known tag line, meaning "None better". How can you not love that!