Reading Soda Works

What Reading Soda Works does

Reading Soda Works is a privately held, family-owned craft beverage manufacturer operating continuously from its original 640 Gregg Avenue location in Reading, Pennsylvania since 1921 (originally under the name Reading Draft). The company produces handcrafted soft drinks using a slow "pinpoint" carbonation process and triple filtration, sweetened with 100% pure cane sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup. Its beverage portfolio spans three lines: Classic Craft Sodas, Botanicals (sparkling botanical-infused drinks), and zero-sugar Seltzers, packaged in 12 oz glass bottles, 5-gallon pre-mix kegs, and Bag-in-Box fountain tap systems.

Beyond beverages, the company operates a Carbonic Supply division selling CO2, nitrogen, beer gas blends (60/40 and 75/25), dry ice, homebrewing supplies (grains, hops, yeast, kits), and ready-to-ferment wine juice in 6-gallon pails ($70-74 each). Distribution occurs through three channels: a direct-to-consumer retail storefront, a B2B retailer recruitment program (with a free sampler case incentive), and commercial delivery of carbonic gas and kegs to enterprise accounts. The marketing footprint is modest — organic Facebook and Instagram presence plus participation in the Berks County Best Kept Secrets Tour — with operations limited to 1-10 employees and a Pennsylvania-only geographic footprint.

The business model is unit-pricing, transaction-based across all revenue streams, with no subscription or licensing disclosed. Customer segments include individual consumers seeking premium craft sodas, retailers and restaurants sourcing differentiated beverages, homebrew hobbyists purchasing supplies and kits, and commercial accounts purchasing CO2 and dry ice. The company carries no disclosed funding, debt, parent company, or institutional ownership.

Name

Reading Soda Works

Legal name

Reading Soda Works

Website

https://readingsodaworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Reading Soda Works is a family-owned craft soda manufacturer founded in 1921 in Reading, Pennsylvania, producing handcrafted sodas, botanicals, and seltzers using slow carbonation and pure cane sugar, while also supplying carbonic gas, dry ice, and homebrewing supplies to regional consumers and commercial accounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beverages

NAICS

Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111)

SIC

Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)

akta.pro primary industry

Still Soft Drinks & Flavored Waters (Non-Carbonated) (AFAFABAB)

Keywords

• Craft soda production
• Carbonic gas supply
• Dry ice sales
• Homebrew supplies
• Wine juice orders

Headquarters

HQ city

Reading

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Craft Soda, Botanical, and Seltzer Sales: Revenue from handcrafted beverages sold in glass bottles (12 oz), pre-mix 5 gallon kegs, and fountain-style Bag-in-Box tap setups. Product lines include Classic Sodas, Botanicals, and Seltzers.
2. Carbonic Gas Sales: Sale of CO2, Nitrogen, Beer Gas 60/40, and Beer Gas 75/25 in various tank sizes (5 lb to 100 lb). Commercial delivery available for business accounts.
3. Dry Ice Sales: Dry ice sold by the pound with minimum 5 pound purchase. Bulk orders over 500 pounds require advance ordering.
4. Beer & Wine Making Supplies: Homebrewing supplies including grains, yeast, hops, and complete beer/wine making kits.
5. Wine Juice Orders: Ready-to-ferment wine juice sold in 6-gallon pails (approximately $70-74 each). Available in Italian, Californian, and Chilean varieties. Orders include one packet of yeast at no additional cost.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Reading Soda Works manufactures and sells handcrafted soft drinks in three lines: Classic Sodas (Cola, Root Beer, Birch Beer, Cream Sodas, and fruit varieties), Botanicals (Blueberry Lavender, Peach Basil, Strawberry Mint Lemongrass, etc.), and zero-sugar Seltzers. The company also operates a Carbonic Supply division offering CO2, Nitrogen, Beer Gas blends, dry ice, homebrewing grains/yeast/hops/kits, and ready-to-ferment wine juice pails under its own Reading Soda Works brand.

Product overview

Reading Soda Works is a beverage company offering a portfolio of handcrafted sodas, botanical sparkling beverages, and seltzers. The core product lines include Craft Sodas (classic flavors like Cola, Root Beer, Birch Beer variants, Cream Sodas, and fruity varieties), Botanicals (sparkling drinks with botanical infusions), and Seltzers (zero-sugar flavored sparkling water). The company has operated since 1921 using traditional methods with 100% pure cane sugar and slow carbonation. Additionally, Reading Soda Works operates a Carbonic Supply division providing carbonic gas, dry ice, homebrewing supplies, and wine juice for beer and wine making enthusiasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Craft Sodas Handcrafted Classic Sodas (Cola, Root Beer, Birch Beer variants, Cream Sodas, fruity varieties and more) made with 100% pure cane sugar, natural ingredients, slow pinpoint carbonation, and triple filtration, packaged in 12 oz glass bottles, 5 gallon pre-mix kegs, and fountain-style Bag-in-Box tap systems. Targeted at consumers and on-premise accounts seeking premium craft beverages.
• Botanicals Handcrafted sparkling botanical beverages featuring flavor combinations such as Blueberry Lavender, Herbal Berry, Peach Basil, and Strawberry Mint Lemongrass. Sold to individual consumers and retailers seeking differentiated craft SKUs.
• Seltzers Zero-sugar sparkling seltzers with natural fruit flavors including Blueberry Lemon, Cucumber Watermelon, Mandarin, and Mango Lime. Targeted at health- and sugar-conscious consumers and retailers looking for low-sugar craft options.
• Carbonic Gas Supply Sale and commercial delivery of CO2, Nitrogen, Beer Gas 60/40, and Beer Gas 75/25 in tank sizes from 5 lb to 100 lb, with no rental or distribution fees, aimed at commercial beverage accounts, retailers, and homebrewers.
• Dry Ice Dry ice sold by the pound with a 5 pound minimum purchase, used for storing or shipping perishables and specialty applications; bulk orders over 500 pounds require advance notice. Sold to consumers and commercial buyers.
• Beer & Wine Making Supplies Homebrewing supplies including grains, yeast, hops, and complete beer and wine making kits for hobbyists ranging from beginners to experienced brewers. Sold through the company's Reading PA retail storefront.
• Wine Juice Orders Ready-to-ferment wine juice sold in 6-gallon pails at approximately $70-74 each, available in Italian, Californian, and Chilean varieties; each order includes one packet of yeast at no additional cost and a $20 deposit per pail, with a $2 discount per pail on orders of 3 or more paid by cash or check. Pickup only at the Reading PA retail store.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Olipop: Fast-growing functional soda brand combining nostalgic flavors with prebiotic/health positioning. Comparable as a craft soda challenger addressing consumer shift away from traditional sodas, though at much larger scale.
• Poppi: Vinegar-based functional soda brand targeting health-conscious consumers. Comparable as a craft soda positioned at the intersection of traditional soda enjoyment and wellness trends.

Direct peers

• Boylan Bottling Co. Long-established craft glass-bottle soda manufacturer using cane sugar and traditional methods. Closest direct peer given similar heritage positioning, glass bottle format, and premium craft soda identity.
• Polar Beverages: Independent craft soda and seltzer producer with broad flavor portfolio including zero-sugar sparkling seltzers. Directly comparable across both soda and seltzer categories.
• Dr. Brown's Soda: Heritage craft soda brand with traditional flavors and cane sugar formulation. Comparable as a long-standing niche soft drink brand competing in the premium craft segment.
• Cheerwine: Century-old regional craft soda brand with strong regional loyalty in the Carolinas. Comparable as a heritage regional craft soda with a distinctive flavor identity and loyal local following.
• Henry Weinhard's Soda: Heritage craft root beer and soda brand with cane sugar formulation. Comparable as a long-standing craft soft drink brand targeting consumers seeking traditional, premium soda experiences.
• Reed's Inc. (Virgil's): Craft soda company producing Virgil's premium sodas with cane sugar and natural ingredients. Directly comparable in product positioning, ingredient philosophy, and craft soda category.
• Jones Soda Co. Premium craft soda brand known for cane sugar formulations and unconventional flavors. Comparable in craft positioning, flavor experimentation, and target consumer seeking alternatives to mainstream sodas.

Broad incumbents

• Keurig Dr Pepper: Major beverage conglomerate that owns multiple heritage craft and premium soda brands (including IBC Root Beer, Dr Pepper, Canada Dry). Represents the broad competitive environment and the potential acquirer of craft brands at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/readingsodaworks
• Instagraminstagram.com/readingsodaworks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cannafizz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reading Soda Works