Calypso Lemonades are some of the most popular drinks on the market. They are easily found at grocery stores and convenience stores alike. Calypso is a delicious beverage and comes in 20 flavors. Calypso has redefined how we think of lemonade. The makers of Calypso essentially divide its flavors into three categories; lights, lemonades, and limeades. Calypso lemonade flavors include Black Cherry, Island Wave, Kiwi Lemonade, Ocean Blue, Paradise Punch, Southern Peach, Strawberry and Triple Melon Lemonade. They are loved by people of all ages and they all sell well in restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, food trucks and more.
The Original Calypso
“The original, and now famous, Calypso Lemonade recipe was created in 1985 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by the owner of the King Juice Company Inc. The idea was simple – make an authentic, delicious lemonade made with real lemons and real sugar,” (Calypso). Boy, how that simple idea took-off! They made the lemonade in small batches, with TLC and over the years it grew in popularity. By the year 2000 4 flavors were offered and given the name that we all know it by today, Calypso.
Where can Retailers buy Calypso?
It can be hard to find the beverage you want for your restaurant or store. Once you find it, you want it delivered by a beverage distribution company that goes the extra mile, takes care of you, answers the phone, returns emails, communicates pro-actively, and puts you first.
Recent changes in the beverage distribution industry in Northern California have created some challenges lately for retailers trying to buy Calypso. Several Northern CA beverage distributors have been purchased by larger distributors in a bid by the larger companies to consolidate and corner the market. While they are actually trying to corner the market in the distribution of alcoholic beverages, this has affected their distribution of non-alcoholic beverages such as Calypso Lemonades. These consolidations can cause gaps in service as the behemoth distributors decide which of the smaller customers are still worth their time and which aren’t.
There’s good news though. There are still a few smaller beverage distribution companies in Northern California that distribute Calypso. Here’s a list of the top 3 remaining smaller, customer service-focused Calypso distributors in Northern California.
Blue Dog Beverage
Blue Dog Beverage is a craft beverage distribution company that services a large geographical area. They distribute over 600 different kinds of beverages and snacks to over 400 customers in Northern CA and Nevada. They are an independent operation able to serve both large chains and institutions, as well as locally owned stores, restaurants, bars, and more.
The Blue Dog Beverage website (bluedogbveverage.com) is well organized, well informed, and easy to use making it very user-friendly. Blue Dog Beverage carries all of the Calypso flavors and so much more for retailers to choose from.
Not only is there a wide selection of products, and a wide service area but there is unparalleled excellence in customer service. It is easy to speak directly with someone who will assist you, answer your questions and address your needs.
Blue Dog Beverage delivers Calypso to the counties of Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Northern Santa Clara County, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Yolo, Western Amador County, and Western Yuba County. Their distribution territory covers approximately a 100 mile radius around Sacramento. The deliver Calypso and their other products as far south in the Central Valley as Turlock and as far North as Chico. They deliver west to the East Bay and east to Placerville and Auburn.
Morris Distributing
Morris Distributing is also an Independent Northern California beverage distributor. In addition to some craft sodas like Calypso, Morris distributes a wide variety of craft beers.
Morris Distributing was founded by Ron Morris in 1992. It grew from a small family distributing business to covering six North Bay counties. This was accomplished with dedication to suppliers, customers and employees. Today, they service over 2,200 customers. They deliver Calypso and their other great specialty beverages in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Lake and Mendocino counties.
Morris Distributing is 100% committed to their brands. They also believe that customer satisfaction is the key to their success. Their website is user-friendly and has a streamlined online presence.
Real Soda Nor Cal
Located in Rohnert Park, CA, Real Soda Nor Cal is a bit old school but they do a great job on customer service and deliver Calypso throughout Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Mendocino counties. Real Soda Nor Cal doesn’t have a website but answers the phone, returns phone calls and emails, goes the extra mile for customers service, and gets the job done. I highly recommend them as an option for your Northern California Calypso distributor.
Conclusion
Even with all the recent changes and corporate mergers in the Northern California beverage distribution industry, there are still a few high-quality, customer-service focused Calypso distributors to choose from. Blue Dog Beverage, Real Soda Nor Cal, and Morris Distributing are all great options. Between their three territories they distribute Calypso Lemonades to most of the population centers in Northern California including the East Bay, North Bay, South Bay, San Francisco proper, Sacramento, and the Central Valley. Enjoy!
