A Brief History of Big Jerk Soda
For the past seven years, Big Jerk Soda has been a cornerstone of Pensacola, Florida’s beverage scene, delighting locals with its bold, innovative flavors and steadfast commitment to community. Founded by Ryan and Jenn Eaton, the company began as a small venture driven by a passion for crafting unique, high-quality sodas. From its humble beginnings, Big Jerk Soda has grown into a beloved local brand, now available in over 50 locations, including Apple Market and Ever’man Cooperative Grocery. The company’s adaptability in a rapidly evolving soda industry has been key to its success. “The soda industry has transformed dramatically in recent years,” Jenn Eaton explains. “We’ve become experts at pivoting to meet customer demands while staying true to our roots.”
Big Jerk Soda is more than just a beverage company—it’s a story of resilience, creativity, and community partnership. By listening to their customers and embracing innovation, Ryan and Jenn have transformed Big Jerk into a platform for collaboration, paving the way for their latest venture: Coastal Co-Packing Company. This expansion not only solidifies their legacy but also positions them as a vital resource for other beverage entrepreneurs.
From Big Jerk Soda to Coastal Co-Packing: Insights from the Interview
During a recent visit to Big Jerk Soda’s headquarters, I had the privilege of sitting down with Ryan and Jenn Eaton to discuss the future of their company. Their passion for their craft was evident as they guided me through their bustling operations, showcasing the equipment and processes that have fueled their growth. Over the past seven years, the Eatons have honed their expertise in the beverage industry, evolving from soda makers to trusted partners for other brands looking to bring their ideas to life.
The journey into co-packing began unexpectedly when Asesinato Tequila, a local Pensacola brand, approached Big Jerk about launching an imports business that would become Monarch Path Imports. Leveraging their regulatory expertise, Big Jerk explored producing ready-to-drink cocktails from their sodas, which they had always marketed as ideal mixers. They partnered with long time friend Lucas Price to create Milkweed spirits, Pensacola’s first craft distillery since before prohibition, with the intention of going all in on RTD Big Jerk Cocktails. However, challenges with distribution companies reluctant to back untested brands and a decline in alcohol consumption posed significant hurdles. Early on in the endeavor they were approached by Thinh Nguyen, a local with some beverage experience who had the idea to create a line of cocktails that would eventually become “Dô Asian Cocktails,”. The Big Jerk team, now operating as Milkweed Spirits, got to work developing the brand and beverages.
For a time, Sweet Jackson Tea shared manufacturing space with Big Jerk. Eventually, it made sense for Milkweed Spirits to take over Sweet Jackson’s production to assist in scaling Sweet Jackson’s manufacturing. This collaboration, along with their work with Dô Asian Cocktails, marked Big Jerk’s entry into co-packing, teaching them how to work effectively with and for other businesses.
A pivotal moment came when Watercolor Inn, a prominent brand, sought a custom soda featuring their logo for guests. Watercolor Inn selected three of Big Jerk’s existing flavors, and Big Jerk’s design team conceptualized a unique beverage brand for them. This success attracted other clients with beverage ideas but no means to produce them. Recognizing a niche in the market, Big Jerk began to conceptualize Coastal Co-Packing Company to provide a local, flexible solution for beverage brands. “We realized the demand for co-packing services was growing,” Ryan said. “We needed a dedicated brand to promote and expand this side of the business
Coastal Co-Packing Company manages every step of the process—from branding and design to formulation, manufacturing, logistics, and distribution—tailored to each client’s needs. A standout example is their collaboration with the Festival of Fears, where their popular “Caramel Apple” soda will debut this year as “Scare a Mel Apple,” alongside a “Scary Cherry Cola” featuring the festival’s branding. “We’re an open-door partner,” Ryan emphasizes. “Clients can tour our facilities, share their vision, and we’ll create a tailored plan to fit their needs.” The process is straightforward: clients contact Ryan, discuss their concept, and receive a detailed proposal with options and costs.
Understanding Co-Packing in the Beverage Industry
Co-packing, or contract packaging, is a service where a company like Coastal Co-Packing handles the production, packaging, and sometimes distribution of a product for another brand. In the beverage industry, this involves transforming a client’s idea—whether a soda, seltzer, or cocktail—into a market-ready product. Coastal Co-Packing manages every step, from recipe development to ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, and packages the final product with the client’s branding. This service is invaluable for startups, small businesses, or established brands looking to innovate without investing in costly production facilities.
For instance, Coastal Co-Packing’s work with Watercolor Inn and the Festival of Fears demonstrates their ability to deliver high-quality, branded beverages efficiently. Their specialized equipment, regulatory expertise, and production capacity enable clients to bring their visions to life without the overhead of building their own facilities.
A Bright Future for Coastal Co-Packing
By launching Coastal Co-Packing Company, Big Jerk Soda is not only preserving its legacy as a Pensacola favorite but also empowering other businesses to share their flavors with the world. Their commitment to flexibility, community, and quality sets them apart in the beverage industry. As they continue to grow, Ryan and Jenn remain dedicated to their roots, fostering partnerships that celebrate creativity and innovation. With Coastal Co-Packing officially launching later this fall, Big Jerk Soda is poised to make a lasting impact, one bold flavor at a time.
