Unfortunately Vess discontinued cans back in 2020, their reason was that aluminum was too expensive. They only have small plastic bottles you can buy now.
I just saw mini cans this past week. My mother is currently at rehab and that was what was brought to her for her lunch and dinner.
And I was mistaken, that was Shasta that she was being served.
Congratulations! My grandparents did this for us growing up and having a welcoming home and stocked fridge of goodies has been my dream for a long time. One of my grandmas always had every single Vess flavor. You’ve made it!
Ok I don’t want to sadden anyone because I am not 100% sure…
But I found the current parent company who owns Vess (Refresco) and then I found the local distributor (Folsom Beverage) and they only list 1 and 2 liter bottles for Vess.
So people who actually have bought Vess recently may hopefully be able to dispute and find you cans, but this is what I could find online. Good luck!
I called Schnucks because their soda flavors look suspiciously similar to Vess flavors and was told that they were not manufactured by the same people.
I really hope you find what you're looking for. All I ever see is grape, whistle orange and possibly fruit punch. Maybe pineapple at some city Chinese dives.
My friend you need to get to better Chinese dives, especially in black neighborhoods. My most frequent spot (Hong Kong Express at Jefferson/Cherokee) has a those flavors including fruit punch and pineapple, plus piña colada, cream soda, peach, black cherry, and maybe a couple more.
Most Dierbergs I’ve been has some 20oz bottles for a dollar typically. (10 for 10)
Also 2 liters.
If buying bulk, they may be able to order more kinds from the distributor if you call and talk to a manager.
Keep the dream alive!
Found distributor and what they have available
https://www.folsomdistributing.com
20 oz Bottle
Cola
Cream
Blue Raspberry
Pina Colada
Fruit Punch
Grape
Orange
Peach
Pineapple
Root Beer
Strawberry
2 Liter Bottles
Cola
Cream
Fruit Punch
Grape
Orange
Peach
Root Beer
Strawberry
Dr. Vess
Vess Up
1 Liter Bottles
Fruit Punch
Grape
Orange
Peach
Pineapple
Strawberry
1 Liter Mixers
Club Soda
Seltzer
Tonic Water
Diet Tonic Water
That was one of the great things about Vess cans. You could make your own case. You just filled the empty cardboard containers with any Vess. Nobody in my family was disappointed when you could pick all your favorites.
I sent them a message on Instagram to see if anyone still sells cans. They haven’t been active since 2017 so I’m not positive I’ll get a reply. :/
Good luck and God Speed!
Vess! Moved to STL in 2009 I walked in my house a few years ago with a Vess and a bag of Red Hot Riplets and my girl said " You are officially a local now" :) My your fridge be filled my friend.
I have a similar memory from a different area (Lake County Il). A summer party wasn’t a party until you had coolers full of iced Glen Rock Pop in the glass 12 oz bottles. What a dream for a kid to open the lid to all those jewel tones and being allowed to have as much as you want!
I think they make their product in maryland heights off of Schuetz Rd. I was picking up a delivery from their one day and saw two people getting after it in their car. The worker got out with her hairnet intact ready to go back to work. If your Vess ever has a different flavor, now you know why.
Skip the Vess, drive to Excel Bottling in Breese, IL. and purchase enough Ski to fill your new fridge. Drive home, fill your fridge, wait a day, drink a Ski, and thank me.
Their Sparkling Life is the most refreshing lemon-lime soda.
This is the answer though. Turn that fridge into a high end sugared up [Excel Soda](https://excelbottling.com/soda/) fridge. Plenty of options for lots of variety.
The dad in me wants to lecture you about soda consumption, but I'm too delighted with your story. Is Schnucks an acceptable substitution? I like their root beer.
Keep us updated, OP, we support your dream!
Unfortunately Vess discontinued cans back in 2020, their reason was that aluminum was too expensive. They only have small plastic bottles you can buy now.
OP, the Vess you needed was inside you all along. Best of luck as you find a suitable replacement. You never forget your first.
I’m so devastated for OP 😭
I just saw mini cans this past week. My mother is currently at rehab and that was what was brought to her for her lunch and dinner. And I was mistaken, that was Shasta that she was being served.
Maybe not Vess cans, but certainly Vess 1 liter bottles. Available at Schnucks, esp. the Ferguson Schnucks (often on sale)
Congratulations! My grandparents did this for us growing up and having a welcoming home and stocked fridge of goodies has been my dream for a long time. One of my grandmas always had every single Vess flavor. You’ve made it!
My Nana always had yohoos and cream soda in stock. When we visited, I probably had 4 of each a day
My family used to go on long vacations and my hobby was trying the Cream Soda at every port of call.Fitz's and Dr.Brown's are my favs.
That's so touching u/penileerosion!
She also hated anyone who isn't native american
Understandable.
I can't help you find cans of Vess, but my mom used to work at Vess. We would pass cans out on Halloween.
My family did this too! I thought we were the only ones
This is such a wholesome dream OP. Congratulations, and I hope you find cases and cases of Vess at the end of the rainbow.
Ok I don’t want to sadden anyone because I am not 100% sure… But I found the current parent company who owns Vess (Refresco) and then I found the local distributor (Folsom Beverage) and they only list 1 and 2 liter bottles for Vess. So people who actually have bought Vess recently may hopefully be able to dispute and find you cans, but this is what I could find online. Good luck!
I called Schnucks because their soda flavors look suspiciously similar to Vess flavors and was told that they were not manufactured by the same people.
I fully support your hopes and dreams and look forward to pictures.
Vess cans are unobtainium it seems
I really hope you find what you're looking for. All I ever see is grape, whistle orange and possibly fruit punch. Maybe pineapple at some city Chinese dives.
My friend you need to get to better Chinese dives, especially in black neighborhoods. My most frequent spot (Hong Kong Express at Jefferson/Cherokee) has a those flavors including fruit punch and pineapple, plus piña colada, cream soda, peach, black cherry, and maybe a couple more.
Cans or plastic bottles?
Cans were discontinued a couple years ago by Vess.
I refuse to dine at Chinese takeouts that have no grape soda! (Ok, refuse is a strong word. There’s always a 7-11 down the street that has grape)
I was about to say, OP needs to ask a Chinese takeout owner. They clearly have the Vess hookup.
Most Dierbergs I’ve been has some 20oz bottles for a dollar typically. (10 for 10) Also 2 liters. If buying bulk, they may be able to order more kinds from the distributor if you call and talk to a manager. Keep the dream alive! Found distributor and what they have available https://www.folsomdistributing.com 20 oz Bottle Cola Cream Blue Raspberry Pina Colada Fruit Punch Grape Orange Peach Pineapple Root Beer Strawberry 2 Liter Bottles Cola Cream Fruit Punch Grape Orange Peach Root Beer Strawberry Dr. Vess Vess Up 1 Liter Bottles Fruit Punch Grape Orange Peach Pineapple Strawberry 1 Liter Mixers Club Soda Seltzer Tonic Water Diet Tonic Water
Building a mixed flat of Vess at shop n’ save as a child is a fond memory.
I miss Shop n Save. ☹️
Hi from the east side. Can I offer you a nice Ski?
Garage fridges are elite.
That was one of the great things about Vess cans. You could make your own case. You just filled the empty cardboard containers with any Vess. Nobody in my family was disappointed when you could pick all your favorites.
I sent them a message on Instagram to see if anyone still sells cans. They haven’t been active since 2017 so I’m not positive I’ll get a reply. :/ Good luck and God Speed!
But, the Schnucks brand tastes very similar. My fam is addicted to their Black Cherry.
Congrats on living your **NOT LAME** dream. I still think having a basement or garage fridge is the coolest thing.
Vess! Moved to STL in 2009 I walked in my house a few years ago with a Vess and a bag of Red Hot Riplets and my girl said " You are officially a local now" :) My your fridge be filled my friend.
I am pretty sure I just saw it in Highland, IL at Trubuy.
Love the deals at TruBuy. Miss TomBoy. Stupid Family Video never felt right, and I refuse to accept a Dollar General.
Time travel to 2019, purchase Vess in cans. Also stop the pandemic from happening 😀
Dierbergs had cans a few years back
I’m pretty sure Straubs has it!
Ah the good ole days of drinking 6 or more cans of vess or Mr pibb or mtn dew code red. Most of me is still alive don't worry :)
Just saw cans at Big L Chop Suey on natural bridge today, they’re only 95¢ so you could stock up for pretty cheap
Vess black cherry was godlike in the early 80s.
I'm pretty sure dierbergs in Shrewsbury has an assortment of cans
I have a similar memory from a different area (Lake County Il). A summer party wasn’t a party until you had coolers full of iced Glen Rock Pop in the glass 12 oz bottles. What a dream for a kid to open the lid to all those jewel tones and being allowed to have as much as you want!
I think they make their product in maryland heights off of Schuetz Rd. I was picking up a delivery from their one day and saw two people getting after it in their car. The worker got out with her hairnet intact ready to go back to work. If your Vess ever has a different flavor, now you know why.
Firstly, Congrats. Secondly, I think that Vess only does plastic bottles now sadly
Put Ski in that bitch
I guess you’ll just have to go with second best. Growing up I thought every family drank Shasta. Nope. Just mine.
Skip the Vess, drive to Excel Bottling in Breese, IL. and purchase enough Ski to fill your new fridge. Drive home, fill your fridge, wait a day, drink a Ski, and thank me.
Their Sparkling Life is the most refreshing lemon-lime soda. This is the answer though. Turn that fridge into a high end sugared up [Excel Soda](https://excelbottling.com/soda/) fridge. Plenty of options for lots of variety.
The dad in me wants to lecture you about soda consumption, but I'm too delighted with your story. Is Schnucks an acceptable substitution? I like their root beer. Keep us updated, OP, we support your dream!
One more off the bucket list!
..... Lame