As Government Shutdown Continues, Avery's Soda Creates ‘Shutdown Swill' Soda

Avery's Beverages in New Britain released a new soda this week called the “Shutdown Swill” amid the partial shutdown of the federal government, which is now in its fourth week. 

Avery’s general manager, Bob Metz, said the idea came to them last week. 

“It started to become apparent that this shutdown might become an historic event,” said Metz. "That's when the wheels started turning and we said, ‘Maybe we should commemorate it with a soda.’" 

Every detail of the new soda has a meaning, including its color. 

"We wanted something green, ‘cause you know it's all about money,’" he said. 

The new beverage comes with red caps or blue caps so that customers can choose which political party they want to toast to and this is not the first time Avery's Soda has put out a political pop. 

“The whole thing started probably three election cycles ago when Barack Obama ran against John McCain, so we created our John McCream and our Barack O’Berry," Metz said. 

Customers’ reactions to the limited-time-flavor are mixed. 

“I heard about it this morning that this was out,” said customer, Chris Moran. “Knowing how foolish this entire situation is, I thought it was a great thing to have and to try." 

Richard Albert, a President Donald Trump supporter, said he wouldn't buy the soda for himself. 

“I’m here for the Trump six-pack for my daughter in Mississippi,” he said. "I take it as being funny." 

Federal workers, like Phil Willis, can take home a bottle for free. 

“We're gonna collect the bottle and keep it just as a memento," said Willis.

Metz says he doesn’t want to profit at someone else's expense. 

“The sooner it goes away that's fine with us," he said. 

Greenhouse Tavern & Cafe in Burlington is responding to the shutdown in its own way and offering free breakfast to furloughed federal workers and their families this weekend. 

“We just feel bad that they've been put in that situation,” said the co-owner, Glenn Staubley. “Whatever little bit we can do to help them out, we'd like to do."

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