Milwaukee-based beverage company, Top Note, has announced that it has begun the process of transitioning the production of their product from a co-packer in Pennsylvania to Octopi Brewing Co. in Waunakee.
Top Note is the maker of non-alcoholic sparkling mixers and tonics, including award-winning classic and Indian tonics and sodas (grapefruit, ginger and bitter lemon).
The move was made possible with a $150,000 loan from the Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and production is expected to begin in July following the installation of a cold pasteurizer and customized bottling line parts.
Mary Pellettieri, craft brewing veteran and co-founder of Top Note says it’s the approach to the creation of Top Note's beverages, and dedication to high quality and innovation that sets the brand apart. That includes the use of all natural botanical extracts, real juices, can sugar and non-GMO acids.
"It’s our hand-crafted approach to sparkling mixers that is driving us to work with the talented team of brewers at Octopi," she says. "We know they can match our desire for high quality and attention to detail."
New opportunities, products
The move is expected to facilitate increased sales in both the Madison and Minneapolis markets, as well as saving tens of thousands of dollars in freight costs each year.
Pelletieri says the company is also excited to explore opportunities related to Octopi’s canning capabilities, potentially driving retail growth through an alternative packaging format.
She also anticipates opportunities in working with Octopi’s seasoned brewing team to develop new formulations. In fact, she says she anticipates adding a line of unique club sodas to the Top Note repertoire by 2020.
"We’re always looking to put American ingenuity into our products and this is another way to do that," Pellettieri explains. "Our intent is to add diversity to the category of sparkling beverage mixers and soda water in a fresh and innovative way.
"We’re making a statement by moving our production to a brewery. We want distributors, retailers and consumers to know that we’re shaking things up with our unconventional approach to this category of non-alcoholic beverages."
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
