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ABOUT US

HISTORY OF HANK'S

Hanks’ Gourmet Beverages is a family business based in Philadelphia, with a history in the beverage industry that goes back over 40 years. Hank’s Root Beer was first introduced in 1995 and since then we’ve grown where you can find our product in stores in over 40 states and always online. Hank’s initial success was in the restaurant trade in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Consumer demand drove expansion into all types of accounts, from chain and upscale restaurants, to delicatessens, supermarket chains, and hotels. Hank’s offers a full line of gourmet flavor premium beverages, and is sold in over 40 states in every region of the nation.

Hank’s Gourmet Beverages are created with premium ingredients creating a richer, creamier taste sensation, appreciated by both young and old. In addition, our award winning, unique, upscale packaging is superior to other premium beverages, and sets us apart from the competition.

Hank’s has worked hard to create the ultimate in gourmet quality beverages and packaging. We are committed to providing consumers with the type of products they are looking for and are continuously working to create new, innovative, premium beverages.

OUR MISSION: At Hank’s, we want our fans to drink, eat and live well, and our partners – distributors, retailers and dining places – to be both profitable and proud to be in-business with us. We endeavor to have Hank’s everywhere, and celebrate the people – employees, partners and fans – who help us get there.

Rooted in Beer

In 1958, Frank “Hank” Salvatore founded a Philadelphia-based beer distributorship where he sold to On-Premise (bar & restaurant) accounts. These clients noted a lack of excitement over the non-alcoholic beer brands available in the early ‘90s. The family created another drink to satisfy this demand and decided on Root Beer.

Vision

Philly’s Own 3X Over Philadelphia was not only the birthplace of Root Beer, but also the home to the nation’s oldest beverage flavoring firm. Hank’s had hired a New Products genius, who convinced the family to acquire a 100-year-old recipe from a former Philly brand. Hank's was then born in 1995 and began selling locally in 1996.

Pioneers in Quality

All About Our Flavor. Hank’s emphasized Quality to compete in better bars and eateries. We packed our soda in a custom-sculpted amber bottle complete with cartouche and neck label, resembling the best premium beers. We were also the first to use real sugar and historically deep flavor profiles. Our bottle and soda flavors won awards, rave reviews and an aggressive, loyal regional following that soon spread which spurred our growth.

Focus on Fans, Foodies and Attitude

In the 90s, Hank’s was ahead of its time another way: “We were GOURMET before gourmet was cool.” This occurred as food-consciousness was exploding, and our brand added fans – not just customers, including chefs, foodies & Philly’s casual dining (cheesesteak) lovers who pulled us across the Mid-Atlantic.

Millenial Migration

Like beer, Craft Soda has become the enclave of Millennial males. In the mid-2000s, Hank’s commissioned a study that found these fans were settling in the suburbs. In 2017-2018, Hank’s shifted its distribution strategy to accelerate the Supermarket retail channel even more than casual dining. Fans found us in the Soda Aisles.

'Tis the Season for Stories

In 2019, Hank’s began adding seasonal editions and using all assets to tell our story and the results have been phenomenal.

IN THE PRESS

Hank’s is award-winning and recognized for its flavor, standing out above the rest! Check out what some in the press are saying about Hank’s beverages.

 

Atlanta Journal Constitution

If you eagerly anticipate the arrival of pumpkin spice everything each year, we’ve got one more variation that you need to try: pumpkin spice soda from Philadelphia-based Hank’s Gourmet Beverages…
Read More

The SodaFry Craft Soda and Fry Reviews

Hank’s sent me a case of sodas in the hope that I would review their seasonal offerings. The Caramel Apple Cream soda was outstanding …[Read More]
Read More

FROM THE PRESS

REVIEWS

“The most important thing about Hank’s is that it doesn’t make any mistakes when it comes to taste and gets better as you drink it. It’s hard to ask more from a soda.”
Five Star Soda
This (Pumpkin Spice) soda starts with the strong spice notes and then finishes smoothly with a subtle pumpkin body. Nothing about this is cloying or fake. It works, and it works well. I had my first bottle on its own, and I drank the second bottle with some good pizza. I wouldn’t discourage either approach.
Soda Fry
A favorite of hip gourmet food devotees, soda fanatics and critics at prestigious media outlets like Eater, Grub Street and the Los Angeles Times, Hank’s Root Beer is the anchor flavor in an offering that has grown to include Diet Root Beer, Orange Cream, Grape, Birch Beer, Vanilla Cream and Wishniak Black Cherry.. This line-up reinforces Hank’s authentic, quality-driven image with upscale, award-winning packaging.
BevNet
Based in Philadelphia, Hank’s pioneered the craft beverage boom with the introduction of its much-loved Hank’s Gourmet Root Beer in 1995 – a product designed to remind loyal Philadelphians of their city’s heritage as the birthplace of root beer itself.
Philly Bite Magazine

Jonny N.
Jonny N.
My family loves all your sodas, we buy them cases at a time. Can you walk in and buy instead of ordering and being shipped?
John E.
John E.
Not much of a soda drinker but discovered Hanks brand in a local market. This soda is soooo good never had anything like this. Vanilla cream,roorbeer,birchbeer all a must try. You won’t regret.
Cameron B.
Cameron B.
I just tried your root beer yesterday after my grandma Paula got me a bottle while at an Amish market, and I was impressed with how good it tasted. Definitely would like to buy some for myself and try your other sodas.
Chris Y.
Chris Y.
Best Root Beer I ever drank. The Cream Soda is awesome too.
Joseph E.
Joseph E.
Robert S.
Robert S.
I stumbled on 6 different flavors from a gas station called prairie oasis in alberta .. I guess Robyn Williams did a small act there for the movie RV .. anyhow so far I have had the Mexicola , I believe a grapefruit and now the orange cream . That orange cream was exactly the way it should be .. amazing … 3 more flavors to try … I hope I’m able to find more of this .. Philadelphia is a long long way away 😪
Dalton M.
Dalton M.
Sincerely better and better priced than Stewarts and Boylans
Daniel P.
Daniel P.
I have to stay away from sugar and your diet root beer is the best. It’s not gained popularity in my area but it will. Best I’ve ever had.
B E
B E
Their birch beer and root beer taste amazing
Corrine C.
Corrine C.
Hank’s is one of the most favorable enjoyable soda beverages I’ve ever had I love the blackberry . You have to try it for yourself five stars
Pawprint1
Pawprint1
Never went to the place my self and instead bought the soda from the store and they make one of the best sodas I’ve ever tasted in my life time.
Andrew
Andrew
Best soda I ever tasted on my tongue.
Stephen B.
Stephen B.
Being a rootbeer fan it is probably the best I have ever tried.
Sam C.
Sam C.
Mike O.
Mike O.
First time I have seen or heard of hanks. Great tasting rootbeer. South Florida
Tom B.
Tom B.
Caramel Apple Cream , Happy Holidays
Karen D.
Karen D.
Black cherry was fantastic
Edward H.
Edward H.
I love the root beer and the black cherry soda and always tastes fresher in a glass bottle
Lee B.
Lee B.
best root beer in existence
beats stewarts
beats A&W
just really hard to find
Pam Phelps H.
Pam Phelps H.
Hank’ s root beer is amazing, and the company is awsome. Thank you for your great tasting products. ps best root beer floats ever 🙂
Kris L.
Kris L.
Alex A.
Alex A.
Discovered Hank’s at Rocket Fizz, and have to say that this is a really smooth, refreshing beverage. Between the Orange Cream Soda, and the Black Cherry, I always enjoy the taste that comes from glorious glass bottles.

We have gotten a lot of our friends drinking Hank’s, and we all enjoy it. Looking forward to getting a chance to try the Grape Soda.
Bee L.
Bee L.
Kirsten J F.
Kirsten J F.
I was drinking Snapple for 25 plus yrs found your Hanks Orange Creme several yrs ago, guess it took while to come to my town lol, must have every wk, why do all our stores not carry it, can only find at Lowe’s Foods. Nothing can come close to this flavor, yumm
Carol L.
Carol L.
Dana Scott W.
Dana Scott W.
Had this root beer in Glen Rose Texas. Best I have ever tasted. It would be great if Bucees stocked it.
Brent T. M.
Brent T. M.
Guy R. E.
Guy R. E.
Before Food Lion left Florida. I tried Banks Root Beer far and away the best i have ever had. No no stors in Jacksonills Florida crrrd it. Iwsh Pubi orWnn Dixis crrrd it. Grest suff.
Jesus B.
Jesus B.
My favorite, black cherry, love it. Get it as much as I can.
Mitchell Ryan L.
Mitchell Ryan L.
Will H.
Will H.
Mat R.
Mat R.
Wayne T.
Wayne T.
Bill P.
Bill P.
Francisco S.
Francisco S.
And looks delicious you guys need to try good luck
David P.
David P.
Here in Richmond, KY
Love the orange cream soda, Simply the Best
Matt S.
Matt S.
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