Paulaner Sunset (aka Spezi) Expands US Presence with Launch in Bristol Farms Supermarket Chain

Venice-based beverage startup Dreaming Sunset proudly announces the launch of Germany’s iconic orange cola, “Paulaner Sunset,” at the supermarket chain Bristol Farms. This prestigious retailer, with 13 locations in California, is the first non-German grocery chain to carry Sunset. 

Paulaner Sunset, known in Germany as 'Paulaner Spezi,' blends creamy cola with real orange and lemon juice. Naturally flavored and sweetened with real beet sugar, the mix stands out with its subtle fizz. Introduced by the German brewery Paulaner in 1974, Spezi has maintained its original recipe and design, becoming a cultural icon with a market share of around 30%. Despite its long-standing success, Spezi had never been available outside of Germany—until now.

Earlier this year, German father-son duo Matthias and Anton Memminger moved to LA to introduce their favorite drink to the US under the new name, Sunset. While they export the original Paulaner Spezi from Munich,  Dreaming Sunset Inc. operates as an independent startup, with a small team of Germans and Americans working side by side. Offered are both the original Sunset in 0.33L glass bottles and a zero-calorie version (introduced in Germany in 2022) in 0.33L cans. As of now, Sunset is exclusively available in California.

Within just a few months, Germany’s iconic orange-cola has already made its way into over 150 restaurants, supermarkets, and specialty stores across California. For distribution, Sunset partners with BreakThru Beverages California. Additionally, Sunset offers direct-to-consumer (D2C) delivery via its website. The recent launch in multi-location supermarket Bristol Farms marks an important milestone in the young American history of this iconic soda.