Why Should You Visit?
Field trip to Dublin Bottling Works to tour a vintage bottling facility, view a museum full of iconic Dr. Pepper memorabilia, and order up a handcrafted soda at Old Doc’s Soda Shop.
Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco, TX and from 1891 to 2012 it was bottled in Dublin, TX using pure cane sugar. Eventually, soda makers began switching to high fructose corn syrup, but Dublin Bottling Works stuck with the pure cane sugar, setting it apart. It has since become this quirky and beloved piece of Texas past, many people referring to it as “real” Dr. Pepper. Sadly, Dublin Dr. Pepper is no more. It will forever remain part of Texas legend.
However, Dublin Bottling Works still stands, producing their own original soda flavors and giving tours to the public. Visit for the story, the relics, and the root beer floats!
A Great Field Trip for These Topics:
Manufacturing/How It’s Made
Food & Drink
Local History
Just for Fun
Where to Begin Your Field Trip:
Begin at Old Doc’s Soda Shop. You purchase tour tickets the same place you purchase sodas. They run every 45 minutes, beginning in the soda shop and ending in the museum across the street. If you’d like, you can contact them here to reserve a spot on the tour ahead of time.
What Can You Expect to See & Do While Here?
Start with a Tour! Go behind the scenes and see the vintage bottling machinery and learn some of the tricks of the trade. Kids will enjoy a couple of “pop quiz” style guessing games given by the tour guide.
Hear entertaining stories about the people of Dublin bottling Works. Our fourth grader has already repeated the story of the Dr. Pepper man (W.P. Kloster) who would chase you down the street to pour out your sub-par beverage and replace it with a Dr. Pepper.
The tour is full of memorabilia, and interesting marketing campaigns; from hot Dr. Pepper in your coffee pot to an energy drink best consumed at 10, 2, and 4 to this patriotic girl who became so notorious she had to go into hiding. We won’t spoil the story for you, but she is thought to be the last of her kind and invaluable.
Next, browse the museum across the street. This portion is self- guided, so you can stroll at your own pace.
A small theater room is located here, showing a film which explains a great deal of what is covered by the tour guide. This is a good option if you are short on time and cannot take the guided tour.
Take in years of Dr. Pepper relics in all their retro glory; including W.P. Kloster’s… let’s just call it “eccentric” workspace. Yikes.
Then head back to Old Doc’s Soda shop to order up a Dublin soda handcrafted by a soda jerk. Our recommendation? Red Cola. You won’t be disappointed.
Before you leave, don’t forget to take your picture with the giant bottle of root beer.
The Basics
221 S Patrick St
Dublin, TX 76446
Thursday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
Guided Tour (Bottling Facility, Museum Rooms, W.P. Kloster Museum Annex w/ Film): $5
Self Guided Tour (W.P. Kloster Museum Annex w/ Film): $3
Tours run every 45 minutes
Tips for Visitors:
There is a small gift shop with items like t-shirts, coffee mugs, and soda flavored syrups. You can also buy their bottled sodas by the case, six pack, or singles.
Sandwiches, chips, and ice cream are also available at the counter if you’d like to dine in.
Love Dr. Pepper? Another great field trip is the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco, TX.
Other field trips in Dublin, TX:
Additional Resources:
Documentary: Bottled Up – The Battle Over Dublin Dr. Pepper
How Its Made: Glass Bottles, Season 8 episode 2
