New Britain, Connecticut: Tour a Tiny Soda Factory
Avery's Beverages has been in the same location for over 100 years. Part of the tour is that you get to make three bottles of your own soda, and you get to keep your apron.
Avery's Beverages
- Address:
- 520 Corbin Ave., New Britain, CT
- Directions:
- I-84 exit 35 onto Route 72 East. From Route 72 take the first exit (7) onto Corbin Ave. Turn right off of the ramp. Avery's is three-quarters of a mile on the right. From I-91 take exit 22N onto Hwy 9, then take Hwy 9 exit 24 (71-372 Kensington). Follow two miles to the second stop light. Avery's is just past the light, on the left.
- Hours:
- Call for reservations (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
- Phone:
- 860-224-0830
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They told us they could only do tours on Saturdays, and we were there on a Thursday, but I did call ahead and let them know we were coming, and they were very accommodating. Though we did not get to do the full tour, they let us come inside and they explained what they were doing and we got to watch. You can also buy whatever flavors you want -- it was a lot of fun.
[Karen Agrimonti, 07/24/2017]
A little Soda Bottling Factory called Avery's Beverages has been operating in the same location for almost 100 years.
A while back, you could to find these independent bottlers in just about every town, now there are very few left. Avery's boasts being the oldest bottling plant in New England.
They use the old returnable glass bottles and real sugar (no corn sweeteners here) in their 24 flavors, but the coolest thing is stopping by to actually watch them make soda. The machines wash and fill the bottles then they chug down the conveyor line for a final mixing by hand.
The folks at Avery's give informal tours whenever they are open but it's best to call ahead to be sure they are bottling the day you go -- it's not as much fun looking at a bunch of machines not doing anything. Phone (860) 224-0830.
[Rob Metz, 06/04/2000]Nearby Offbeat Places
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June 2014: Photo added.