Wednesday, October 25, 2006

POP OF THE DAY: Vernor's Ginger Soda

Category: Ginger Ale
Ratings
(out of 5)

Taste: 5
Fizziness Factor: 5
Bottle/Can Design: 4
Availability: 2

Tasting Notes: Vernor's is the oldest soda in America, tied with Hires Root Beer. As the story on the bottle says, when Detroit pharmacist James Vernor was called off to the Civil War in 1862, he left behind a "secret mixture" of 19 ingredients in an oak cask. Why was Vernor called away so quickly? The answer is lost in the mists of history. What we do know is that 4 years later, he came home to a taste sensation. Vernor's is still aged in oak, but I can't say I tasted much tree in it. What I could taste was sweet vanilla, which contrasts nicely with the tangy ginger finish. Vernor's is apparently famous for its fizziness factor, which I found strong but not overwhelming. The cheerful troll you see at left is on the bottle as well, which gives it a pleasing air of old-world goofiness. Vernor's is not available everywhere, but if you were juding by quality rather than quantity, Detroit would be called the Soda City. (Total Score 16/20)

Suggested Food Pairings: Sauerbrauten, pemmican

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