Simpson Spring Tonic Easton MA – That’s Soda / Pop to You Folks!

2021 Update: Local Retro Roadsis informs that while they're still open for water Simpson Spring no longer makes their own tonics or seltzers. They DO sell other local small batch brands though, and have even added a Saturday Market in their big barnlike building! Check out their website for details. 

Original 2009 Post:

The first time I heard of Simpson Springs Beverages was when I was eating at McMenamy's Hambugers (mmmm.....) in Easton a zillion years ago and noticed an old sign advertising it.

All these years later driving from my sister's house to The Cape I was hearted to see their sign still on Rt 138, and their colorful bottles of tonic being sold at White's bakery close by. (For those of you not from Massachusetts, tonic to me is soda or pop to you, and I still have a hard time not using the T word, as you will notice below)

( disregard the hours on the sign- reader Brother Cleve sez they close at 4pm)

To get to it you drive down a windy (not blowing, curvy) driveway into the woods for awhile - kinda reminded me of going to camp. Then the big old building becomes visible through the trees, as it has been since 1878 when the company began.

The place is surrounded by over 50 acres of trees and woods, ensuring the cleanliness of the spring water used to make the tonic. You can also fill up your own containers with spring water for 25 cents.

The company has been owned by the Bertarelli family of Brockton since 1989, who state that they will not sell out to a big conglomerate. Indeed to this day the tonic flavors are mixed by hand in small batches, from handed down recipes.

There is a great piece from the local Chronicle TV show that features Simpson Spring and not only interviews Jim Bertarelli, but also gets some wonderful interior shots of the old laboratory and tile lined spring. Click the link below to check it out (and I hope you are as charmed by the Mass accent as I am!):

Chronicle Goin Retro- Simpson Springs

The bottles, labels, even the bottle caps all have a neat old timey quality to them, harkening back to the era when the company began. Even some of  the flavors are a bit quirky and old fashioned as well - including Sarsaparilla and White Birch- alas no Nerve Tonic.

To support the company and also for taste testing I bought one each of the flavors they had at the company store that day, and promise to report back on them once they get nice and chilled in the fridge. Yes even the Sarsaparilla and White Birch!

Kinda neat to think that even in these days of Coke and Pepsi domination, there is still a little company out there doing what they've been doing, and a good job of it too!