Frequently Asked Questions

BIB stands for Bag-in-Box. It’s the standard format for commercial fountain soda syrup — the same format used in every McDonald’s, Subway, and movie theatre. A sealed plastic bag of concentrated syrup sits inside a protective cardboard box. When connected to a dispenser or pump, the bag collapses as syrup is dispensed, keeping air out and preserving freshness. BIB sizes at Pourly range from 10L to 20L.

Most fountain soda syrups use a 5:1 ratio — five parts carbonated water to one part syrup. This means a 20L BIB makes approximately 120 litres of finished soda, and a 2L bottle makes about 12 litres. Some products (like lemonade or iced tea) may use different ratios — check the product label or contact us if you’re unsure.

Yes. Pourly sells genuine brand-name fountain syrup from Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, and other manufacturers. It’s the exact same product supplied to restaurants, fast-food chains, and convenience stores through commercial distributors. The only difference is that we make it available to individual consumers and small businesses.

Not necessarily. The simplest method is to carbonate water (using a SodaStream or similar device), pour it into a glass, and add the right amount of syrup — about 40ml per 200ml glass at a 5:1 ratio. For a more automated experience, you can use a BIB pump, a countertop dispenser, or a full fountain system with CO2. See our blog post on setting up a home soda fountain for a complete guide.

BIB is the larger, commercial format — better value per litre and designed for regular use or dispensing equipment. Our 2L bottles contain the same syrup repackaged into a consumer-friendly bottle — ideal for trying new flavours, occasional use, or when you don’t have space for a full BIB box. Read our full BIB vs 2L comparison for details.

Only if you want to carbonate your own water. If you already use a SodaStream, you’re set — just carbonate the water and add syrup. For higher-volume use, a refillable CO2 tank (5lb or 10lb) connected to a carbonator or kegerator is more economical. A 10lb tank costs about $25–$35 to refill at a welding supply or homebrew shop and carbonates hundreds of litres.

Not currently. We focus on soda syrup. For CO2 equipment, check your local homebrew supply store, welding supply shop, or online retailers like Amazon. We recommend starting with a 5lb or 10lb refillable CO2 tank and a dual-gauge regulator.

Technically yes — you’d get a flat, flavoured drink. Most people wouldn’t enjoy cola or lemon-lime flat, but some syrups (like iced tea or lemonade) work well mixed with still water. We’d recommend carbonation for all cola, root beer, and citrus syrups.

We ship to every province and territory in Canada. We do not currently ship to the United States.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your location and order weight. BIB syrup is heavy (a 20L box weighs about 20–22 kg), so shipping costs vary. Orders to Alberta are typically the most affordable since we ship from Cochrane, AB. We work with multiple courier partners — CanPar, Purolator, FedEx, UPS, and ICS Courier — to find the best rate for each order.

No. You can order a single 2L bottle or a single BIB — whatever you need. No commercial account or minimum purchase required.

Most orders ship within 1–2 business days. Delivery times depend on your location:

• Alberta: 1–2 business days
• BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba: 2–4 business days
• Ontario, Quebec: 3–5 business days
• Atlantic provinces: 4–6 business days
• Northern territories: 5–10 business days

These are estimates. Actual transit times depend on the courier and conditions.

Unopened BIB: 6–12 months when stored in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the box.
Opened BIB: Use within 30–45 days for best flavour. The bag-in-box design keeps air out, which helps preserve freshness even after opening.
Unopened 2L bottle: 6–12 months.
Opened 2L bottle: Refrigerate after opening and use within 30 days.

Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. A basement, pantry, or closet works well. Do not freeze. Ideal storage temperature is between 5°C and 25°C. Keep the box upright and avoid puncturing the inner bag.

Our catalogue depends on what’s available through our Canadian distributors. Some products (like certain Pepsi Max variants or regional flavours) aren’t distributed in Canada or are periodically out of stock at the supplier level. We’re always working to expand our selection. If there’s a specific product you’re looking for, contact us and we’ll let you know if and when it becomes available.