These Seltzer fans are bubbly with excitement.
The first-ever Brooklyn Selfest celebrates the history of soda drinks in five districts – the tasting, antique chiffon and national egg cream competition – sells out in Brooklyn on Sunday, bringing together over 600 participants to celebrate the Popler drink.
“Seltzer's influence on New York City is more than just an industry, not just a cultural one. It has been addressing the blood of life of who we are as cities, but its impact and history is often underestimated.”
“What we're trying to do is remind us of who we are and where we came from and thank the people who help us move forward,” said Joseph, 55, of the all-day event at Industry City.
Among the festival's winners was Walter Backerman, a third-generation seltzer maker with a route that lasted for over 60 years.
“What's special is that you not only deliver the product, but share it. [in] People's lives,” said Buckerman, who won the Eli Award for Spirit Award at Selzelfest.Sultan of Seltzer“Eli Miller. “You enter people's homes and you become a part of their lives.”
The Fijian celebration was originally formulated by Joseph and Alex Gonberg, co-curator of the Brooklyn Selzer Museum, as a way to draw more attention to the budding museum, which opened in 2023 at one of the nation's last Seltzer factories.
“As soon as we opened the door, we couldn't close them,” Forest Hills residents noted the scope of history that has been in the Cypress Hills Museum's centuries through manufacturing, science and cultural exhibitions.
In particular, the space highlights the tradition of Eastern European Jewish immigrants who make and deliver seltzers at the turn of the century at the Big Apple.
“There's diversity [of visitors] So it talks about what Seltzer means to people,” Joseph said.
For artist Ken Rush, who includes a vintage vision of syphilis, Seltzer is a sentimental nod to his childhood, growing up in the 60s in Brooklyn.
“Seltzer isn't just a taste, you're part of a living tradition,” said Rush, author of Seltzer Mann, a children's book that commemorates the age of Miller's delivery man.
“When they came here, Jewish immigrants were not educated,” said Moishmanese, a bottle collector for the Jewish Seltzer in Lakewood, New Jersey.[Seltzer] It was easy to get in. ”
Manny came to the event and showed off some of his vintage Jewish seltzer bottles from a collection of over 300 bottles.
“When I saw the opportunity to drink seltzer and sample egg cream, it wasn't a discussion,” said Seltzerfest attendees and Alex Daveltin, 31, of Manhattanite.
“Seltzer is the palpator of hope. Manhattan resident Elizabeth Kip Justy, 35. “I'm a New Yorker, Seltzer… my family always drinks it.”
It also includes an egg cream workshop, seltzer-themed trivia and Yiddish Sisch Seltzer-themed musical performances, the festival is the museum's first expansion of its national egg cream invitation last year.
The Big (Soda) gun was released in 2025 and reviewed the invitation along with last year's champion Soda Eric Berry from Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia, along with “Uncut Gem” director Benny Safdy, Fox's U-Bet Chocolate Syrup from Fox and Kelly Fox from Candy Scientist Ginnyland.
The judges were tasked with reviewing 10 competing egg creams based on three key criteria, Joseph spoke about posts, performances, presentations and tastes.
“When that glass is placed in front of you, does it seem like you need to jump in immediately, because it is the tastiest thing in the world?” Joseph said. “Once you drink, as Mel Brooks once said, 'I'm going to swim with ecstasy, so you'd better sit there.”
Ultimately, it was Florida's “Classic” Egg Cream and Jersey City-based Hank Schwartz's “Craftsman” Cookie Top Egg Cream, which won the “Best Taste” award in each category.
The best performance award was sent to Sammy's Steakhouse from the Lower East Side. And the best presentation was sent to Flatiron-based S&P.
The first Golden Siphon Champion award was awarded to Brooklyn Farmacy of Carroll Gardens. This defeated other contestants who made the formula using edible sparkle, lavender syrup, rainbow cookies, coffee and half the half.
“It appears Seltzer has an endless source of foam that grabs people, whether they have a nostalgic relationship or don't know what it is,” Joseph reflected.
“In times like these, it's challenging for so many people – it's a privilege to create something that makes people feel so good and connects with something very healthy.”
