I'm trying to see if anyone has created a soda stand in front of their house or at a farmers market...etc. I'm not looking to turn this into a business...etc but I want it to be more than just a novelty of having family and friends drink it. The added plus is my daughters would like to have a stand if possible.
Anyhow - I was wondering on the issue of making the soda and sell it using kegged carb'd water & homemade syrups (seperate) vs making the soda and then kegging it?
Do you think using carbed water and syrups would be better for a business vs using premade soda that is carbed in the kegs?
I'd prefer to make my own extracts and all but that may be cost prohibitive. Besides, after checking into some breweries that make soda - ALL of them use extracts that are made by someone else...yet they slap on the gourmet or artisan label. That doesn't mean you can't make your own flavor via combining extracts to what you want....but it's not "brewed"...even some say they brew it...it's not really brewed as what most people would deem "brewed". Most of it is because of cost...plus other things like FDA bans, availability of the source flavors (roots, leaves, branches...etc).
Thank you.
Please add to what I've looked at thus far:
Carbonated Water (water, C02, 1 keg) & Syrups:
Pros
Cons
Premade Soda Carbed and stored in Kegs
Pros
Cons
Anyhow - I was wondering on the issue of making the soda and sell it using kegged carb'd water & homemade syrups (seperate) vs making the soda and then kegging it?
Do you think using carbed water and syrups would be better for a business vs using premade soda that is carbed in the kegs?
I'd prefer to make my own extracts and all but that may be cost prohibitive. Besides, after checking into some breweries that make soda - ALL of them use extracts that are made by someone else...yet they slap on the gourmet or artisan label. That doesn't mean you can't make your own flavor via combining extracts to what you want....but it's not "brewed"...even some say they brew it...it's not really brewed as what most people would deem "brewed". Most of it is because of cost...plus other things like FDA bans, availability of the source flavors (roots, leaves, branches...etc).
Thank you.
Please add to what I've looked at thus far:
Carbonated Water (water, C02, 1 keg) & Syrups:
Pros
- Need only one keg
- Homeade syrups are stored in bottles and have a good shelf life
- Flavor can be easier manipulated by the glass as well as different mixtures
- Less equipment to buy - kegs, faucets, lines..etc.
- No need for extra storage space for multiple kegs...etc.
Cons
- Have to make the soda on the spot vs premade
- Don't know how well things will be mixed when adding carbed water to syrup
- Have to measure syrups at the point of sale
Premade Soda Carbed and stored in Kegs
Pros
- Nothing to stir or make at the point of sale
- Quicker service to customer
Cons
- Additional equipment needed - Kegs, lines, faucets, larger cooler
- Have to have dedicated kegs for dedicated flavors unless I replace the gaskets..etc.
- More stuff to lug around to farmer's market, events, front yard..etc.
- Additional costs required due to the additional equipment
- One strength and mixing flavors might not mesh as well vs syrups
- Cleaning is more intensive - this includes the lines, faucet, kegs, and cold plate/coils