I'm sitting here typing this topic while drinking a Dr Pepper. The only difference is, this Dr Pepper is sweetened with Imperial cane sugar, in a very heavy 8oz glass bottle... the Dr Pepper tastes like it's sweetened with cane syrup or caramel!
I know that the Acadiana area (Opelousas, Lafayette, Ville Platte) is the only place in Louisiana that I can find the Dr Pepper in six packs of glass bottles, sweetened with the Imperial sugar. I can also find it in modern bottles, sweetened with cane sugar, but part of the fun is the retro styling. Dr Pepper is bottled by PepsiCo (as Acadiana Bottling), so not only do you find tangerine and white grape Diet Rite, but Pibb Xtra/Zero is abundant, as is every single kind of Minute Maid beverage. I also found Barq's French Vanilla crème soda, and A&W in glass bottles. The best news? Sunkist, in peach and cherry limeade.
I'm curious as to what national brands are only available in your area, or an area you know of, and if you take it for granted or not! I'm used to seeing four different types of Fanta, but I went to a Cici's and found apple Fanta. Sam's Club also has Cherry Limeade Fanta. Fountain only, but those are sometimes the gems! Taco Bueno here (only location in the state!) has Big Red in fountain.
EDIT: I've also noticed that Mello Yello Zero is a hit-or-miss. MYZ, along with Fanta Orange Zero, are the only two "Zero" drinks that actually taste like the original.
Cheerwine. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheerwine) Although I guess that might be a little broader than the OP envisioned.
Cel-ray soda might be hard to find everywhere, or maybe it is regional, Idunno.
Is Moxie sold outside of Maine? I've never seen it here in Connecticut.
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on February 25, 2014, 10:26:45 AM
Is Moxie sold outside of Maine? I've never seen it here in Connecticut.
Yes in Eastern Mass. Seen it here and there around the northeast.
Quote from: mcdonaat on February 24, 2014, 01:12:56 AM
Dr Pepper is bottled by PepsiCo...
This can be a bit confusing because in some regions, Dr Pepper is bottled by CocaCola, as I believe is in the case of the Philadelphia area. When there are sales on Coke products in the grocery stores here, Dr Pepper is generally included with the Coke product sales.
Dr Pepper bottles their own here in north TX. It's not farmed out to Coke or Pepsi. But here's a weird one--while I lived in Amarillo, I discovered that Sprite there wasn't bottled by the Coke maker/distributor. It was bottled through a separate firm. I'd never heard of Sprite being handled separate from Coke before anywhere. I'm not sure if this is the case now, but it was while I was there.
As for the subject, I can't think of any current soft drinks that are unique or local to the north TX area. All that are here are national brands other than any grocery store's house brands of soft drinks.
(If the subject included craft beers or wines, yes there are several locals in those columns.)
I strongly associate Ale-8-One with Kentucky. Isn't Ski also bottled out there too?
Is Teem out there anywhere ??
Quote from: TheStranger on February 25, 2014, 11:30:39 AM
I strongly associate Ale-8-One with Kentucky. Isn't Ski also bottled out there too?
Isn't Ale-8 specifically only eastern KY? Ski is all over southern Indiana. I got looked at funny there when I didn't know what it was.
I haven't seen Teem since the early 80s. It was available on fountain at Dunkin' Donuts, where I would sit at the counter and the waitress would bring me a bowl of chili. I just like remembering that this setup existed once.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 25, 2014, 11:52:14 AM
Quote from: TheStranger on February 25, 2014, 11:30:39 AM
I strongly associate Ale-8-One with Kentucky. Isn't Ski also bottled out there too?
Isn't Ale-8 specifically only eastern KY? Ski is all over southern Indiana. I got looked at funny there when I didn't know what it was.
I've gotten it in central Kentucky (Elizabethtown) in my one visit to that state in 2006. Also, some specialty soda stores manage to have it shipped out of state (i.e. RocketFizz in California; I recently had Ale-8-One at their store in Camarillo).
Quote from: mcdonaat on February 24, 2014, 01:12:56 AM
I'm sitting here typing this topic while drinking a Dr Pepper. The only difference is, this Dr Pepper is sweetened with Imperial cane sugar, in a very heavy 8oz glass bottle... the Dr Pepper tastes like it's sweetened with cane syrup or caramel!
That's what was once known as "Dublin Dr Pepper": it was bottled in Dublin, TX , until DP ordered them to stop.
I don't know how it compares, but some areas have "Heritage Dr Pepper" which is supposed to be the sugar formula, like Throwback Pepsi and Throwback Mountain Dew.
Some areas have "Mexican" Coke which has the sugar formula, but word on the street is they are about to swith to HFCS because it's cheaper.
Quote from: US71 on February 25, 2014, 01:31:14 PM
Some areas have "Mexican" Coke which has the sugar formula, but word on the street is they are about to swith to HFCS because it's cheaper.
To quote Darth Vader,
HFCS sucks.
Quote from: US71 on February 25, 2014, 01:31:14 PM
Quote from: mcdonaat on February 24, 2014, 01:12:56 AM
I'm sitting here typing this topic while drinking a Dr Pepper. The only difference is, this Dr Pepper is sweetened with Imperial cane sugar, in a very heavy 8oz glass bottle... the Dr Pepper tastes like it's sweetened with cane syrup or caramel!
That's what was once known as "Dublin Dr Pepper": it was bottled in Dublin, TX , until DP ordered them to stop.
I don't know how it compares, but some areas have "Heritage Dr Pepper" which is supposed to be the sugar formula, like Throwback Pepsi and Throwback Mountain Dew.
Some areas have "Mexican" Coke which has the sugar formula, but word on the street is they are about to swith to HFCS because it's cheaper.
Convolutedly, Mexicoke intended for export to the US will still have sugar, so that's good. Mexican market Mexicoke will have HFCS though
Eastern PA (particularly Allentown and its environs) has A-Treat sodas. An A-Treat birch beer and a Yocco's chili dog on your way to Dorney could be about as Allentown as you can get.
It's not regional per se, but my soda of choice, Tab, is hard to find. I understand its availability depends on whether the local Coca-Cola bottler makes it. The Bay Area bottler in Oakland does not, but it's available in LA. I can get it in Lake Tahoe, but not Sacramento. Back in PA, I was able to find it in the Lehigh Valley and Downingtown, but not from the 476/276 belt inward to Philadelphia.
I started to reply with Ale-8, but then went back and re-read the original post, which says this:
Quote from: mcdonaat on February 24, 2014, 01:12:56 AM
I'm curious as to what national brands are only available in your area...
He was talking about cane sugar-sweetened Dr Pepper. Ale-8 is definitely not a national brand, nor is Cheerwine, nor is Vernor's.
Quote from: hbelkins on February 25, 2014, 03:32:38 PM
Ale-8 is definitely not a national brand, nor is Cheerwine, nor is Vernor's.
Vernor's availability has increased noticeably over the years - it is pretty easy to find in California, and has been sold in 33 states since the 1960s. Not necessarily "national" like Dr Pepper, but not as regional as Ale-8-One.
Are Big Red and Big Blue national at this point? (Both can be found in parts of NorCal)
Quote from: TheStranger on February 25, 2014, 03:37:44 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on February 25, 2014, 03:32:38 PM
Ale-8 is definitely not a national brand, nor is Cheerwine, nor is Vernor's.
Vernor's availability has increased noticeably over the years - it is pretty easy to find in California, and has been sold in 33 states since the 1960s. Not necessarily "national" like Dr Pepper, but not as regional as Ale-8-One.
Are Big Red and Big Blue national at this point? (Both can be found in parts of NorCal)
I remember when one had to go back to Michigan for Vernor's. As it is, I can find cane sugar sweetened Faygo in only Michigan since my local Meijer stopped carrying it.
Quote from: briantroutman on February 25, 2014, 02:16:05 PM
Eastern PA (particularly Allentown and its environs) has A-Treat sodas. An A-Treat birch beer and a Yocco's chili dog on your way to Dorney could be about as Allentown as you can get.
It's not regional per se, but my soda of choice, Tab, is hard to find. I understand its availability depends on whether the local Coca-Cola bottler makes it. The Bay Area bottler in Oakland does not, but it's available in LA. I can get it in Lake Tahoe, but not Sacramento. Back in PA, I was able to find it in the Lehigh Valley and Downingtown, but not from the 476/276 belt inward to Philadelphia.
Oh, man. I can practically taste the Yocco's just thinking about it.
A-Treat bottles pop up all over out of market in the hardware-store display for some epoxy-type cement whose name eludes me. The stand features an A-Treat bottle with various items glued to it. The cement itself is a Lehigh Valley product.
Around here we've always had Polar from Worcester, Mass., but I have seen it as far south as New Jersey in recent years, particularly their extensive line of flavored seltzers. I think they may actually bottle Adirondack, which seems to be all over the Northeast.
Cott seems to still exist but I haven't seen it in years. I guess Newark's Hoffman is gone now.
Sun Drop used to be an Alabama thing, but it's more common in some larger markets recently.
I see Big Red much more often in various places around the country.
Moxie...ugh, tastes like a blend of toothpaste and Diet Coke.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 25, 2014, 11:52:14 AM
Quote from: TheStranger on February 25, 2014, 11:30:39 AM
I strongly associate Ale-8-One with Kentucky. Isn't Ski also bottled out there too?
Isn't Ale-8 specifically only eastern KY? Ski is all over southern Indiana. I got looked at funny there when I didn't know what it was.
I can get Ale-8-One here in Columbus.
I know of at least one store that sells Cheerwine, too, thank goodness. I love that stuff.
Quote from: formulanone on February 25, 2014, 05:36:05 PMMoxie...ugh, tastes like a blend of toothpaste and Diet Coke.
Liquid Necco wafers.
Quote from: formulanone on February 25, 2014, 05:36:05 PM
Sun Drop used to be an Alabama thing, but it's more common in some larger markets recently.
SunDrop was launched nationally, but it seems limited to just the original and diet varieties. The caffeine free and cherry lemon versions are not readily available here, but it is available in NC (original SunDrop territory).
Cheerwine has aspirations to expand nationwide in the next few years. Right now they have a small network of distributors. I can buy it in NJ, but only in glass bottles for $1.50 each. Its much cheaper for me to buy 12-packs of cans in bulk when in NC. :sombrero:
NJ has a few local sodas. You can't get birch beer outside of NJ/PA normally. Boylans is a local brand that seems to have expanded nationwide.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on February 25, 2014, 07:27:29 PM
Cheerwine has aspirations to expand nationwide in the next few years. Right now they have a small network of distributors.
That's another one I've seen more and more; used to be limited to North and South Carolina, but I'm seeing it more frequently at my local Publixes, Wal-Marts, and other convenience stores. It was the only reason I'd go to Winn Dixie back in South Florida...Publix wouldn't carry it there.
Speaking of the Carolinas, a tricky one to find is Blenhiem Ginger Ale. It's tough to find in most places, even in its native South Carolina. Typically the larger C-stores have it, and I've been to two specialty soda shops that had it. The red cap is quite strong, but I like it! If I can't find that, Red Rock Ginger Ale (they're out of Atlanta) is a good substitute.
QuoteNJ has a few local sodas. You can't get birch beer outside of NJ/PA normally. Boylans is a local brand that seems to have expanded nationwide.
I've seen it in New York; they had black cherry (and another variety that escapes me), at a gas station across from where I was working. Not bad.
Quote from: txstateends on February 25, 2014, 11:19:08 AM
But here's a weird one--while I lived in Amarillo, I discovered that Sprite there wasn't bottled by the Coke maker/distributor. It was bottled through a separate firm. I'd never heard of Sprite being handled separate from Coke before anywhere.
In Eunice, there is an old service station with a Sprite sign, instead of Coke or Pepsi.
Nexus 7
Everytime I hear the old jingle "Faygo remembers", I want to ask if they remember how to make sodas without HFCS ;)
As for Sundrop, some of my family in TN drinks the s*** out of that stuff. It became a nationwide drink recently with an ad campaign featuring the song "Drop It Like It's Hot".
Quote from: TheStranger on February 25, 2014, 12:45:00 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 25, 2014, 11:52:14 AM
Quote from: TheStranger on February 25, 2014, 11:30:39 AM
I strongly associate Ale-8-One with Kentucky. Isn't Ski also bottled out there too?
Isn't Ale-8 specifically only eastern KY? Ski is all over southern Indiana. I got looked at funny there when I didn't know what it was.
I've gotten it in central Kentucky (Elizabethtown) in my one visit to that state in 2006. Also, some specialty soda stores manage to have it shipped out of state (i.e. RocketFizz in California; I recently had Ale-8-One at their store in Camarillo).
Ale-8-One is available in Northern Kentucky, too.
Quote from: US71 on February 25, 2014, 11:43:15 PM
Everytime I hear the old jingle "Faygo remembers", I want to ask if they remember how to make sodas without HFCS ;)
They have them, in glass, but I cannot find them outside Michigan right now (see my earlier comment).
Quote from: JMoses24 on February 26, 2014, 04:54:34 AM
Ale-8-One is available in Northern Kentucky, too.
They made a distribution deal a few years ago. Coke bottlers carry it even into southern Ohio, as far north as Columbus. We cannot get it in WV due to our soft drink tax, but you can get it in Ashland.
Ski is a part of the Double Cola company and should be available anywhere that deep discount product is. Mostly Double Cola takes the place of a store brand in mom and pop stores. There is a Double Cola bottler in Columbus OH and one in Roanoke VA and I have seen the product in both areas.
Shasta is a west coast-based soft drink company, I've seen Shasta sodas in many supermarkets and stores like Wal-Mart. Where I happen to work (Ralph's) in southern CA used to carry Shasta sodas, but stopped like 3 years ago...their sister store Food-4-Less continues to carry them. If anyone else in the US has Shasta, let me know. Shasta began as a bottled water company in the 1890s named after Mount Shasta, one of CA's tall peaks and two of CA's volcanoes.
Quote from: Mike D boy on February 26, 2014, 09:41:59 AM
Shasta is a west coast-based soft drink company, I've seen Shasta sodas in many supermarkets and stores like Wal-Mart. Where I happen to work (Ralph's) in southern CA used to carry Shasta sodas, but stopped like 3 years ago...their sister store Food-4-Less continues to carry them. If anyone else in the US has Shasta, let me know. Shasta began as a bottled water company in the 1890s named after Mount Shasta, one of CA's tall peaks and two of CA's volcanoes.
Shasta is awesome- comparable in quaIity to the good stuff but cheaper. I usually get it at WinCo on Idaho.
Quote from: Mike D boy on February 26, 2014, 09:41:59 AM
Shasta is a west coast-based soft drink company, I've seen Shasta sodas in many supermarkets and stores like Wal-Mart. Where I happen to work (Ralph's) in southern CA used to carry Shasta sodas, but stopped like 3 years ago...their sister store Food-4-Less continues to carry them. If anyone else in the US has Shasta, let me know. Shasta began as a bottled water company in the 1890s named after Mount Shasta, one of CA's tall peaks and two of CA's volcanoes.
Shasta was on the East Coast at least in the late 70s/early 80s. I don't recall when it finally disappeared here.
Quote from: formulanone on February 25, 2014, 05:36:05 PM
Moxie...ugh, tastes like a blend of toothpaste and Diet Coke.
Funny thing about Moxie - people either like the taste or hate it - no middle ground. Although this is the first time I've heard a description like that. Most people I know who've tried Moxie and hate it describe it as "carbonated cough syrup".
And, for the record, I've always liked Moxie.
not a soft drink, but ... cilantro. either you love it or you hate it. and, it's genetic. some people have the "tastes like deodorant" gene turned off.
I had read somewhere that in cities with higher populations of the Jewish faith, there are either times of the year in which the local soft drink companies will crank out "Kosher" brands with real sugar seasonally around their major holidays, or will provide pure sugar brands year 'round.
I live in an area where "Mexican Coke"....and Pepsi products are plentiful. Besides the pure sugar taste, I also notice that their beverages are not as carbonated. I've had soft drinks with so much carbonation, it's hard to taste the taste.
Also in my area, the local Pepsi bottlers still make the "throwback" products (Pepsi/Dew/Pepper) with real sugar (and original labeling). Not sure if that is region-specific or if it is country-wide.
I heard that Jolt Cola is still around in limited areas (not here), and that RC Cola is still barely hanging on. It's a shame that RC couldn't/didn't keep up with "The Big 2" -- they had some great advertising. I know when I lived in the Midwest several years back, it was easier to find old outdoor RC and Diet-Rite signs at beverage stores than it was to find the actual products inside.
One product I'm glad that is only found domestically at the World of Coca-Cola museum is Beverly (a popular brand in Italy). If you've tried it, you'll remember it! So much in fact that one time, I convinced a little 8-year old snot-nosed kid who saw their free soft drink sampling area as a sugar mecca to get a BIG glass of Beverly and to down it like one big shot. I want to say that somewhere out there, the kids parents still want to thank me for permanently weaning their kid off of soda pop and junk food!
Quote from: roadman on February 26, 2014, 11:28:51 AM
Quote from: formulanone on February 25, 2014, 05:36:05 PM
Moxie...ugh, tastes like a blend of toothpaste and Diet Coke.
Funny thing about Moxie - people either like the taste or hate it - no middle ground. Although this is the first time I've heard a description like that. Most people I know who've tried Moxie and hate it describe it as "carbonated cough syrup".
And, for the record, I've always liked Moxie.
Imagine my surprise in my childhood when I grabbed an orange Moxie can expecting orange soda. I'm sure I didn't get past a couple sips.
Quote from: thenetwork on February 26, 2014, 12:03:43 PM
I had read somewhere that in cities with higher populations of the Jewish faith, there are either times of the year in which the local soft drink companies will crank out "Kosher" brands with real sugar seasonally around their major holidays, or will provide pure sugar brands year 'round.
Until the recent revolt against HFCS and widespread awareness of Mexican Coke, this was a topic of great interest on the internet here each Passover. People would post supermarket stock on ne.food ("Passover Coke spotted at Brookline Stop & Shop!"). I never cared enough about Coke to really notice the difference, though I never tried them side by side.
Quote from: NJRoadfan on February 25, 2014, 07:27:29 PM
You can't get birch beer outside of NJ/PA normally.
Disagree. Can be found in places (including soda dispensers at some Roy Rogers burger joints) in Maryland.
Quote from: SP Cook on February 26, 2014, 06:34:39 AM
Quote from: JMoses24 on February 26, 2014, 04:54:34 AM
Ale-8-One is available in Northern Kentucky, too.
They made a distribution deal a few years ago. Coke bottlers carry it even into southern Ohio, as far north as Columbus. We cannot get it in WV due to our soft drink tax, but you can get it in Ashland.
Ski is a part of the Double Cola company and should be available anywhere that deep discount product is. Mostly Double Cola takes the place of a store brand in mom and pop stores. There is a Double Cola bottler in Columbus OH and one in Roanoke VA and I have seen the product in both areas.
I've heard of Ale-8-One myself and tried it when passing through Lexington. I've heard of them being seen in Indianapolis and personally I've seen them sold as far north as a Walgreens in Muncie. I learned about Ski when doing a trip with a couple of friends in Southwest Indiana a few years ago and heard they were sold around Evansville. I didn't know at the time if it was sold elsewhere but presumed southern Illinois and parts of Kentucky would be on the list.
A PNW regional chain called BiMart sometimes has Teddy Root Beer and Teddy Cream Soda in stock. The root beer has a robust rich taste. I don't know about the cream soda. Is this brand showing up elsewhere?
What I miss: Crush Cream Soda. I bought the last six pack in 16 oz. bottles back in the mid 80's from a small neighborhood market in my area. One time I wrote the Crush folks about that product and heard back with them saying it was a regional choice to have it. Has anyone else seen it?
Fanta makes a fine tasting root beer but I only see it on tap at one place in my area.
Is Nehi still around anywhere? Delaware Punch? (my sister loved this as a small girl)
Rick
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 26, 2014, 12:25:33 PM
Until the recent revolt against HFCS and widespread awareness of Mexican Coke, this was a topic of great interest on the internet here each Passover. People would post supermarket stock on ne.food ("Passover Coke spotted at Brookline Stop & Shop!"). I never cared enough about Coke to really notice the difference, though I never tried them side by side.
Funny story about Passover Coke. One day I picked up a random bottle around the house that someone bought and had a glass. Drinking it I noticed it immediately tasted different. I looked at the bottle and it took me a second to register that it was made with real sugar, the only tip off was the yellow cap. Yes, there is a difference between cane sugar sweetened Coke and the HFCS stuff.
Quote from: roadman on February 26, 2014, 11:28:51 AM
Quote from: formulanone on February 25, 2014, 05:36:05 PM
Moxie...ugh, tastes like a blend of toothpaste and Diet Coke.
Funny thing about Moxie - people either like the taste or hate it - no middle ground. Although this is the first time I've heard a description like that. Most people I know who've tried Moxie and hate it describe it as "carbonated cough syrup".
And, for the record, I've always liked Moxie.
I LOVE Moxie, but I definitely didn't at first. I remember stopping at Moody's Diner along US 1 in Waldoboro a few years ago where they were giving out free samples of it outside. I took one sip, and poured the rest out because it tasted like a very bitter root beer to me. But I remember having a full can of it about a year later, and I kinda liked it. It's definitely an acquired taste.
There is a regional brand called Yike's that makes soft drinks, energy shots, and energy drinks. They make an energy drink that is 99 cents for a 16 ounce can. It tastes just like Red Bull to me, but Red Bull is over $2.50 for an 8 ounce can and a 20 ounce can is nearly 5 bucks. Their cola isn't bad either.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on February 26, 2014, 08:41:59 PM
Quote from: NJRoadfan on February 25, 2014, 07:27:29 PM
You can't get birch beer outside of NJ/PA normally.
Disagree. Can be found in places (including soda dispensers at some Roy Rogers burger joints) in Maryland.
Yep! The Roy Rogers has Fanta Birch Beer. Pennsylvania Dutch Birch Beer can be found in various places in Maryland.
I love Cheerwine! It's seriously my favorite soda. I drank it all the time when I lived in Virginia. I'm starting to see it in places in Maryland. I've bought it in glass bottles from Wegmans and bought a 20 oz bottle in Salisbury at a gas station last weekend (they also had 2 liter bottles).
Guarana Antarctica. It's a Brazilian soda.
Quote from: Laura on February 27, 2014, 07:38:28 PM
I love Cheerwine! It's seriously my favorite soda. I drank it all the time when I lived in Virginia. I'm starting to see it in places in Maryland. I've bought it in glass bottles from Wegmans and bought a 20 oz bottle in Salisbury at a gas station last weekend (they also had 2 liter bottles).
That explains your reaction when you heard that I was bringing back 4 cases from NC last July.
That's why I told everyone who came to Pikeville that there was a store there that sells both Cheerwine and Ale-8.
Yep! You know what I really miss? Cheer wine Popsicles. They sell them at Food Lion in Virginia (and I assume in food lions in other states where they distribute ).
iPhone
I never really liked it, but in Evansville, IN, especially the west side of town, Double Cola is very popular. I have never seen it anywhere else.
Not sure I would classify this as a an area-specific soft drink, but the drink I miss and remember best of all is Snapple Mint Iced Tea. That was their best tasting tea flavor of all, and it suddenly disappeared sometime in the mid 90's, never to be seen again.
I don't think it's actually area-specific, but I don't ever recall seeing C&C Cola for sale anywhere outside the New York area (though I admit I've never looked all that closely, and I don't buy much soda these days anyway). My grandparents used to buy C&C when I was a kid, probably because it was cheaper than Coke, and the only time we ever had it was when we visited them in Brooklyn. They died during the 1990s and I don't believe I've had C&C since.
Still around:
http://cccola.com/
I see it at ShopRite.
Yeah, I didn't doubt it's still around. I just haven't had it in about 20 years, and I visit New York far less frequently since my last grandparent died in 1998.
Ooh, forgot about Adirondack Cola. It's my favorite cola (I like it more than Coke and Pepsi). It's sold as the "generic" in a local grocery chain here in 3 liter bottle. I know it's sold in NY, and I assume elsewhere? Is it considered "generic brand" elsewhere?
iPhone
Quote from: Laura on February 28, 2014, 09:00:56 AM
Ooh, forgot about Adirondack Cola. It's my favorite cola (I like it more than Coke and Pepsi). It's sold as the "generic" in a local grocery chain here in 3 liter bottle. I know it's sold in NY, and I assume elsewhere? Is it considered "generic brand" elsewhere?
I mentioned upthread that I think Adirondack is put out by Polar (Worcester, MA) but I forget why I think that.
I pretty much quit drinking sweetened soda (just too easy a useless-calorie delivery vehicle) but Adirondack is generally the cheapest seltzer in Eastern Mass.
Quote from: Laura on February 28, 2014, 06:31:25 AM
Yep! You know what I really miss? Cheer wine Popsicles. They sell them at Food Lion in Virginia (and I assume in food lions in other states where they distribute ).
I sorely miss Cheerwine ice cream. Holy cow, talk about a guilty pleasure.
Quote from: Takumi on February 27, 2014, 08:04:59 PM
Guarana Antarctica. It's a Brazilian soda.
I found the US version (Guarana Brazilia, made in New Jersey) at Jungle Jim's outside of Cincinnati. It's very good, but not cheap -- a 12-pack of cans was about $9.
Quote from: Mike D boy on February 26, 2014, 09:41:59 AM
Shasta is a west coast-based soft drink company, I've seen Shasta sodas in many supermarkets and stores like Wal-Mart. Where I happen to work (Ralph's) in southern CA used to carry Shasta sodas, but stopped like 3 years ago...their sister store Food-4-Less continues to carry them. If anyone else in the US has Shasta, let me know. Shasta began as a bottled water company in the 1890s named after Mount Shasta, one of CA's tall peaks and two of CA's volcanoes.
I remember having Shasta growing up in Alabama (80s/90s) fairly regularly.
Quote from: nexus73 on February 26, 2014, 10:03:36 PM
Is Nehi still around anywhere? Delaware Punch? (my sister loved this as a small girl)
We have Nehi here in Kentucky. Their peach soda is good.
Nehi used to be distributed in my area by Royal Crown (RC) Cola. There were RC bottlers and/or distributors in Jackson and Whitesburg, so it was very popular in eastern Kentucky.
One I forgot: Diamond Bear Root Beer. Available only in growlers and kegs from Diamond Bear Brewery in Little Rock, AR. The root beer is non-alcoholic and is made with real sugar. It's very good, if one can get their hands on some.
Quote from: US71 on March 04, 2014, 10:49:50 PM
One I forgot: Diamond Bear Root Beer. Available only in growlers and kegs from Diamond Bear Brewery in Little Rock, AR. The root beer is non-alcoholic and is made with real sugar. It's very good, if one can get their hands on some.
Non-alcoholic root beer? Get outta here!
RC. This used to be a major product. When Corridor G was "unfunded" it ended for a long time at what is now the Madison exit and there was a real drive in that had a sign that was in plain black letters on white "this establishment is proud to serve Royal Crown Cola as our only cola drink". Today it is a park and ride.
Here is what I don't get about RC. Most of the products in this thread are distributed via the grocery system. But RC is an intergrated soft drink product. It is a part of the same company that makes Nehi, Dr Pepper, 7UP and other products. When I was a kid, it competed with Coke and Pepsi in the fountain business. Shoney's had RC, for example, and, IIRC, it actually owned Arby's for a time. Lots of movie theatres and sports venues had it, probably lower cost to the distributor. If you watch ball games on ESPN Classic and like that, you see RC ads in several stadiums. Today they have given up on that. It would seem that it could put together a line up that could undercut the big 2 in that market.
Quote from: bugo on March 04, 2014, 11:28:26 PM
Quote from: US71 on March 04, 2014, 10:49:50 PM
One I forgot: Diamond Bear Root Beer. Available only in growlers and kegs from Diamond Bear Brewery in Little Rock, AR. The root beer is non-alcoholic and is made with real sugar. It's very good, if one can get their hands on some.
Non-alcoholic root beer? Get outta here!
Now that I think of it, Abita brewery in Louisiana does the same, but it's hard to find in stores.
My local package store occasionally carries the Abita Root Beer, so I'll grab a 6-pack here and there. It's quite a different taste from the usual A+W, I presume because of the real sugar.
Quote from: SP Cook on March 05, 2014, 06:35:53 AMIIRC, it actually owned Arby's for a time.
I remember when Arby's served RC as its fountain soft drink. It's the only place I remember doing so. And I also remember when Diet-Rite (RC's diet cola), Tab and Fresca were the biggest diet soft drinks.
An RC and a Moon Pie was for many years a very popular snack around here.
Double Cola had a short run for a few years in eastern Kentucky as an alternative to RC, but I haven't seen it in this area in years.
Quote from: bugo on March 04, 2014, 11:28:26 PM
Quote from: US71 on March 04, 2014, 10:49:50 PM
One I forgot: Diamond Bear Root Beer. Available only in growlers and kegs from Diamond Bear Brewery in Little Rock, AR. The root beer is non-alcoholic and is made with real sugar. It's very good, if one can get their hands on some.
Non-alcoholic root beer? Get outta here!
I never heard of alcoholic root beer.
I know it's not area specific but Dr. Pepper is a weird off brand in Minnesota and in Texas you can get it anywhere.
Quote from: texaskdog on March 05, 2014, 03:12:42 PM
I know it's not area specific but Dr. Pepper is a weird off brand in Minnesota and in Texas you can get it anywhere.
you can get it anywhere in California, and really almost anywhere in the entire Southwest.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 05, 2014, 03:17:54 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on March 05, 2014, 03:12:42 PM
I know it's not area specific but Dr. Pepper is a weird off brand in Minnesota and in Texas you can get it anywhere.
you can get it anywhere in California, and really almost anywhere in the entire Southwest.
I didn't think there was an area where you *couldn't* get it.
Quote from: hbelkins on March 05, 2014, 02:39:17 PMI never heard of alcoholic root beer.
I can obtain Swedish alcoholic root beer (http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/franks-alcoholic-root-beer/136652/) from my local superstore. It's rather strong on liquorice and wintergreen making it an acquired taste even if you like root beer, but it's not horrific.
It's cheaper (by volume) than the soft root beer (imported, very expensive for what it is, but not as bad as £7 for a smallish box of Captain Crunch!) in the store. And other than other stores that have a similar choice, that's the only way I can get my hands on root beer ;(
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 05, 2014, 03:17:54 PM
Quote from: texaskdog on March 05, 2014, 03:12:42 PM
I know it's not area specific but Dr. Pepper is a weird off brand in Minnesota and in Texas you can get it anywhere.
you can get it anywhere in California, and really almost anywhere in the entire Southwest.
You can get Dr. Pepper anywhere in the Midwest as far as I've seen. It's Mr. Pibb, the Coca-Cola copy that's considered the "knock-off" brand around here.
Quote from: Brandon on March 05, 2014, 04:39:16 PM
You can get Dr. Pepper anywhere in the Midwest as far as I've seen. It's Mr. Pibb, the Coca-Cola copy that's considered the "knock-off" brand around here.
Yeah, the same around here. But my wife & I both think that Pibb tastes SO much better. I love going to Chipotle & Fazoli's because it's about the only place I can get it from a soda machine. Otherwise I have to go to Kroger for the cans & Wal-Mart for the 2-liters.
Dr Pepper has a weird ownership history and bottler history. In the US, your local Coke bottler bottles Dr Pepper in about 40% of the country. Your local Pepsi bottler in another 40% and some "third tier" bottler in the remainder. Usually you can tell because Pepsi bottlers will use the standard Pepsi bottle, while Coke and "third tier" bottlers will use a specific Dr Pepper bottle. In areas where it bottles Dr Pepper, Coke makes only a token effort at Pibb, while it markets it heavily where it does not, depending on the relative popularity of that type of drink, which is most popular in Texas and the southwest. Oddly, Dr Pepper actually belongs to Coke in most countries outside North America.
Quote from: SP Cook on April 02, 2014, 06:42:59 PM
Usually you can tell because Pepsi bottlers will use the standard Pepsi bottle, while Coke and "third tier" bottlers will use a specific Dr Pepper bottle.
I'm not sure there is what you'd call a "standard" Pepsi bottle, because it varies from region to region. For example, I see this Mountain Dew bottle in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, and Indiana:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bevindustry.com%2Fext%2Fresources%2F2011_September%2FBI0911-PackNews-MtDew-Slideshow.jpg%3F1315508381&hash=ae38a9bb1feed7af7e5b5c298c8ab55340fc8c76)
But I see
this Mountain Dew bottle in Grand Rapids and Detroit:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg4.wikia.nocookie.net%2F__cb20120715073530%2Fmountaindew%2Fimages%2F2%2F23%2FMTN_Dew_Bottle_Design.jpg&hash=6362bc0bdd011968f52934ef48d6f83ac11b7d90)
...and it's been like that since at least 2011, so if the former is a "new" design and the latter an "old" design, they're taking their sweet time rolling it out nationwide.
Those "grip style" Mtn Dew bottles were a big surprise to me! However, head on down to Opelousas, and you have Dr Pepper-7up products in the typical 7up-style bottle...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Facimg.auctivacommerce.com%2Fimgdata%2F0%2F2%2F3%2F4%2F5%2F2%2Fwebimg%2F8490123.jpg&hash=6487fd094930a462105babd86bb29ed93b289b5d)
As well as Pepsi, Mtn Dew, Sierra Mist, and Tropicana. Bottling systems will play with you! In Opelousas, 7up and Dr Pepper are bottled alongside Pepsi, where in other places, Coke bottles Dr Pepper. 7up is always split to a third party. We have Coke for Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper, Pepsi of Alexandria distributes Pepsi products... Glazers distributes Coors, Redd's Apple Ale, and Sunkist/RC products.
Quote from: getemngo on April 02, 2014, 07:11:17 PM
Quote from: SP Cook on April 02, 2014, 06:42:59 PM
Usually you can tell because Pepsi bottlers will use the standard Pepsi bottle, while Coke and "third tier" bottlers will use a specific Dr Pepper bottle.
I'm not sure there is what you'd call a "standard" Pepsi bottle, because it varies from region to region. For example, I see this Mountain Dew bottle in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin, and Indiana:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bevindustry.com%2Fext%2Fresources%2F2011_September%2FBI0911-PackNews-MtDew-Slideshow.jpg%3F1315508381&hash=ae38a9bb1feed7af7e5b5c298c8ab55340fc8c76)
But I see this Mountain Dew bottle in Grand Rapids and Detroit:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg4.wikia.nocookie.net%2F__cb20120715073530%2Fmountaindew%2Fimages%2F2%2F23%2FMTN_Dew_Bottle_Design.jpg&hash=6362bc0bdd011968f52934ef48d6f83ac11b7d90)
...and it's been like that since at least 2011, so if the former is a "new" design and the latter an "old" design, they're taking their sweet time rolling it out nationwide.
Hello there, I work for a vending company :) The style of bottle is indeed up to the individual bottler, not Pepsi in general. For example, we get our Pepsi product from two different bottlers depending on its intended destination. Anything (even Mt. Dew) coming from PBC Bottlers in NE Ohio has the "old" design, while Mt. Dew coming from G&J Pepsi in Columbus and SE Ohio has the new bottle, and all other Pepsi products look like this:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F14%2F04%2F04%2Fezumuze2.jpg&hash=ca872493810a6cd5d9c382f4dde8795c0d6c937e)
And let me tell you, the new design is a pain in the ass in older pop machines.
That might be a problem in the older pop machines, but our older soda machines LOVE the new bottles!! Kidding, of course.
I can't remember the last time I bought a drink out of a soda machine. I usually visit my local gas station, since machines don't have the throwback Pepsi or the Mexican Strawberry Fanta. However, I've personally leaned towards buying 7up products only.
I saw the "new" Mountain Dew bottle here in Kentucky about a week ago. I don't have a preference as to which one I get...if it contains Dew, I'm happy.
Cheerwine was mentioned on here earlier - I had my first bottle today, and loved it!
Quote from: mcdonaat on February 24, 2014, 01:12:56 AM
I'm sitting here typing this topic while drinking a Dr Pepper. The only difference is, this Dr Pepper is sweetened with Imperial cane sugar, in a very heavy 8oz glass bottle... the Dr Pepper tastes like it's sweetened with cane syrup or caramel!
Bumping this because I've just tried the 8oz bottles of Dr. Pepper, and it tastes
awesome...thanks for the tip!
(Wish I could pack a few in my suitcase, but glass, liquid, cold temps, and pressurization changes in checked luggage is an unpleasant mess waiting to happen...)
Foxon Park soda (a small outfit in East Haven, CT for 90 years) is the traditional accompaniment at Louis' Lunch (birthplace of the hamburger, though there are disputes about that) and the New Haven pizza places. Never seen it outside CT.
Quote from: formulanone on May 23, 2014, 09:59:19 AM
Quote from: mcdonaat on February 24, 2014, 01:12:56 AM
I'm sitting here typing this topic while drinking a Dr Pepper. The only difference is, this Dr Pepper is sweetened with Imperial cane sugar, in a very heavy 8oz glass bottle... the Dr Pepper tastes like it's sweetened with cane syrup or caramel!
Bumping this because I've just tried the 8oz bottles of Dr. Pepper, and it tastes awesome...thanks for the tip!
(Wish I could pack a few in my suitcase, but glass, liquid, cold temps, and pressurization changes in checked luggage is an unpleasant mess waiting to happen...)
No problem! If you can find it, they do make Dr Pepper Classic, as I call it, in 12oz cans.
Late edit: Dr Pepper is also made with the cane sugar for a 2.5 gallon BiB (bag in box). Imagine pure cane sugar-sweetened Dr Pepper flowing out of the McDonalds close to you!
Nexus 7
Just noticed over the past few days that the Walmart i work in Birmingham has started selling Cheerwine.
Quote from: jdb1234 on June 21, 2014, 12:52:22 PM
Just noticed over the past few days that the Walmart i work in Birmingham has started selling Cheerwine.
Strangely enough, Walmart in my area, and Monroe in the distribution area to the north, are both selling Fanta Cherry. It's not listed as an existing flavor on the Fanta website, and the UPC code comes up blank.