Excel Bottling Tour — Breese, Illinois

Discover the Excel Bottling Company Tour in Illinois

Step inside one of America’s last small, independent soda bottlers with a visit to Excel Bottling Company in Breese. Famous for its nostalgia-filled Ski soda, craft root beers, and glass-bottled soft drinks made with real cane sugar, Excel offers a behind-the-scenes look at classic bottling done the old-fashioned way. Visitors see vintage machinery, small-batch production, and a family business that has proudly served Illinois since 1936.
Why it’s special: Excel Bottling still bottles by hand on antique equipment—something almost unheard of in today’s beverage industry. A tour here feels like stepping back in time to the golden era of soda.

History/Story of Excel Bottling

Founded in 1936 by the Meier family, Excel Bottling began as a small-town operation serving southern Illinois. Using returnable bottles and cane sugar long before it was trendy, the company preserved traditional soda-making methods while big brands shifted to mass production. Today, Excel continues as a family-run business producing beloved regional flavors like Ski, R-Pep, Frostie root beer, and more—all bottled on vintage machinery still in operation.

What You’ll See & Do

• Tour the working bottling floor and see sodas filled, capped, and labeled

• Explore vintage equipment used since the 1930s

• Learn how cane sugar sodas are mixed, flavored, and carbonated

• See packaging, quality checks, and warehouse operations

• Visit the on-site shop to buy fresh sodas and local merch

Visiting Information

Hands-On Elements
Guests may handle old-style glass bottles, see syrup ingredients up close, and taste fresh soda samples depending on the tour.

Photo/Video Policy
Photography is usually allowed, though some equipment zones may have restrictions.

Souvenirs & Extras

• Full selection of Excel sodas in glass bottles

• Merchandise, apparel, and collectibles

• Variety packs and limited-time flavors

Practical Info
Tours operate on select weekdays between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, with availability varying by production schedule. Advance reservation is recommended.

Pricing

Tour Price:

• General Admission: ~$5–$10 per person

• Children under 5: Free

• Groups: Special rates available with reservation

Tours include a guided walk through the bottling floor and soda samples.

Nearby

• Breese Historical Museum — Local history and exhibits

• Clinton County parks and trails — Outdoor recreation

• Downtown Breese shops & cafés — Small-town charm

FAQs

1. Do tours include soda samples?
Yes. Visitors typically enjoy tastings of Excel’s popular glass-bottled sodas.

2. How long does the tour last?
Most tours run 30–45 minutes depending on production activity.

3. Can I purchase sodas directly at the factory?
Absolutely—Excel’s on-site shop offers all flavors, including seasonal releases.

4. Is the tour family-friendly?
Yes. Kids love seeing the bottling machines in action.

5. Are tours always running?
Tours depend on bottling days, so booking ahead ensures the best experience.