Twig’s Beverage / Sun Drop Museum Tour — Shawano, Wisconsin

Discover the Twig’s Beverage / Sun Drop Museum Tour in Wisconsin

Step inside the world of Sun Drop at Twig’s Beverage in Shawano, Wisconsin—home of the signature citrus soda beloved across the Midwest. This family-run bottling company offers a fun and nostalgic tour featuring vintage bottling equipment, historic memorabilia, and a behind-the-scenes look at how soda is packaged today.
Why it’s special:
Twig’s is one of the few small independent soda bottlers still operating in Wisconsin, and it preserves decades of Sun Drop history with an interactive, retro-style museum experience.

History/Story of Twig’s Beverage

Twig’s Beverage began bottling soft drinks in 1951 and became Wisconsin’s primary bottler of Sun Drop, a citrus soda that quickly became a local favorite. Over the decades, Twig’s expanded its product line, restored historic soda machines, and eventually created a museum to preserve vintage soda memorabilia and the legacy of American bottling culture.

What You’ll See & Do at the Twig’s Sun Drop Museum

• Explore the Sun Drop Museum filled with vintage signs, bottles, coolers, ads, and bottling artifacts

• Watch the soda bottling line in action on production days

• Learn how sodas are formulated, carbonated, and packaged

• View restored vending machines and branded collectibles from decades past

• See historic glass bottles, labeling machines, and original equipment

• Visit the Twig’s gift shop featuring Sun Drop products and local soda varieties

Hands-On Elements: Beverage tastings, interactive museum displays, retro photo ops.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography encouraged throughout the museum; follow staff direction in bottling areas.
Souvenirs & Extras: Sun Drop soda, glass bottles, apparel, retro merchandise, candies, and exclusive small-batch flavors.

Pricing of the Twig’s Beverage Museum & Tour

• Museum Visit: Free

• Guided Factory Tour: $5 per person (when available)

• Children under 5: Free

• Large group tours available with reservation

Practical Info for Visiting Twig’s Beverage

Duration: 30–60 minutes depending on tour and viewing activity
Format: Self-guided museum visit with optional guided bottling tour
Schedule & Seasonality: Open year-round; factory bottling visible only on production days
Working Hours: Typically Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Audience: Families, soda enthusiasts, nostalgia fans, school groups
Accessibility: Museum accessible; bottling floor viewing may require stairs
Safety & Restrictions:

• Stay behind designated viewing lines

• Children must be supervised
  Languages: English
  Group & School Visits: Group tours welcome; contact for reservations
  What to Bring/Wear: Comfortable shoes, camera for retro displays
  Facilities: Gift shop, restrooms, parking
  Closures & Downtime: Closed weekends and major holidays; bottling schedule varies

Nearby

• Shawano Lake – swimming, fishing, and recreation

• Heritage Park – Shawano County Historical Society

• Navarino Nature Center – wildlife viewing and trails

FAQs About Visiting Twig’s Beverage / Sun Drop Museum

Do I need a reservation for the museum?
No—walk-ins are welcome during business hours.

Is the bottling line always running?
Not always; production varies by day. Some visitors may see the line in operation, others may not.

Can kids join the tour?
Yes—the museum and tours are family-friendly.

Are tastings available?
Yes—guests can sample sodas in the gift shop.

How long should I plan to stay?
Most visitors spend 30–45 minutes; longer if the bottling line is running.