Awesome reminder of non-alcoholic fun. Towards the end, I was sorely disappointed that GALCO's Old World Grocery Shop was left out. Though it has 300 different brands of beer, it has 500 different brands of soda, most if not all from small breweries, and all without high fructose corn syrup.
It's located in Highland Park, an old part of Los Angeles. The owner is an awesome, friendly and warm guy who's a must-converse for all things nostalgic. He'll readily tell tales of the old days in Los Angeles and will even give a history lesson of the nearby area, when this-or-that place was a horse feed station, etc. He's getting old, so better visit him soon.
Brett
· 1 year ago
@Justin-
I only knew personally of a few soda shops in the country. But I know there's more out there. I hope this post can be a place for other guys to share their favorite places to buy a delicious soda and their favorite brands and flavors.
Ryan Sutherland
· 1 year ago
Loved the article!
I also had to add my own favorite soda to my blog.
Dublin's 10-2-4 Dr. Pepper FTW!
I always go to popsoda.com to drink and hang out in Scottsdale, AZ
rs
Shatt
· 1 year ago
You can always visit a Sonic Drive-In. It's not a true soda fountain by any means but they have a MESS of different drink combinations and flavor mix-ins.
Rootbeer with two shots of vanilla. Lord I am in hog heaven.
A.J.
· 1 year ago
Gotta check out both Cheerwine and Patio Red Cherry Soda. Jewels of the South they are.
Corey
· 1 year ago
Ah the great time of sharing a cold soda. Thanks for bringing back the good memories. Used to go to a soda fountain with my grandfather for ice cream and cold soda. Love it.
Santa
· 1 year ago
What about coffee? Not the Starbucks kind, but real grinded and brewed coffee bean that's not enhanced with sugar and added flavor. That's a man's drink.
Corey W.
· 1 year ago
I was in Florida a few days ago, and in Dania Beach there is Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor. Not only does it have the same spelling as my 21 month old sons name, they also make all soda in-house, and ice cream.
I am a big soda (and beer) drinker, and I do have to say that the soda I had at "Jaxson's" was by far the best I have ever had.
Hrm, I was not aware of this pecularily American tradition. I'd love to try out a Soda Bar, but I don't think we have any in London. A quick google search revealed nothing except that there is a soda part in London, Kentucky...which doesn't help me at all!
Brent
· 1 year ago
If you're looking for an interesting soda, that still tastes like the medicines they were supposed to be, check out Moxie. I remember my Grandfather always had them around when we came to visit, and I don't think I've had one since his death in the mid-90's but its still out there and now I'm going to have to track some down.
Brett
· 1 year ago
@Ryan- Dublin Dr. Pepper is definitely the way to go. We're going to be doing a taste test between Dublin and high fructose corn syrup Dr. Pepper to see if people can tell the difference.
@ Marcel- I didn't know there was a London, KY. You can always try ordering some old fashioned independently bottled soda from the internet, although international shipping would be a beast I imagine.
@ Brent- Good old Moxie. I remember the first time I tried it I thought it tasted like carbonated cough syrup, but the taste definitely grew on me.
At all- It looks like people know where some good soda fountain/bars are. Would you all be interested in a soda fountain locator where people can post the locations of different soda shops?
dave
· 1 year ago
Jones soda is awesome and widely available in the US. They have recently switched to sweetening with cane sugar.
patrick
· 1 year ago
how interesting, just yesterday I stumbled upon a sodashop in oak cliff, in dallas. I have a bit of a fancy for rootbeer. I walked away with a sampler 6-pack and I never have been happier.
Tim Jacobsen
· 1 year ago
Great article....but I'm afraid I am not "tired of beer" Soda, don't hold your breath :)
And sadly, there aren't any on their list in my neck of the woods.
Bryan
· 1 year ago
Extremely interesting article Brett. Excellent job as usual.
Rodney Hampton
· 1 year ago
Great article idea.
Paul
· 1 year ago
A lot of the small soft drinks are regional -- Ale 8 1 in Kentucky and Cheer Wine in the Carolinas, Georgia, and east Tennessee, for instance. Also, please pardon those of us from the South if we still insist on calling even small-label carbonated beverages "coke."
cory huff
· 1 year ago
Wow, you've really done your research. Astoundingly good article, Brett. What fun! Beer sucks, soda rules!
Improve Your Mind
· 1 year ago
Good idea, I always prefer non-alcoholic drinks myself. ;-)
Matt
· 1 year ago
A few years back, I went on a Jones kick, but unfortunately fell back to my old standby Coke. While at the beach this year, a friend gave me a Jones sweetened with pure cane sugar and I haven't looked back since! Great article.
Andrew McMillen
· 1 year ago
Cool article, guys. Very informative. My knowledge of soft drink (as it's known in Australia) is mostly limited to the mass-produced variety, but I am aware of a few independent brewers that distribute to small stores. Maybe it's time I gave soft drink another chance.
By the way, the link to the temperance article is broken. You doubled up on your http://s.
aliencam
· 1 year ago
I love glass bottled real sodas. I try not to drink them too often though (once per week), because even if they aren't that bad, they still contain a lot of sugars, and even the carbonation itself isn't great for you.
I go to college right by Pop the Soda Shop, and usually end up making a run there about once a month. My friends and I never leave without a few cases full, and I probably have tried one of everything in their store.
I believe Pop the Soda Shop is even getting a soda fountain! (that's what one of their employees told me awhile ago, I haven't seen any progress) When they do I will definitely go there more often.
Marcus Ramsey
· 1 year ago
I am not a fan of Dr. Pepper, but the "Dublin" version with pure cane sugar is to die for. There is a gas station here in Dallas that stocks it regularly. Fresh from a glass bottle it is perfect on a hot Texas day when getting out of work for the drive home. Roll the windows down, sip from the glass bottle, and relax.
Bernie Franks
· 1 year ago
Haha, great article! I'm a lover of sodas myself, always looking for new kinds - can't beat that cane sugar.
guidetomanliness
· 1 year ago
I'm lucky enough to live just down the road from POPS in Arcadia, OK. Great selection of hundreds and hundreds of soda!
nolaphilly
· 1 year ago
Great article.
I just wanted to add one more name to the list, and I was just there not two hours ago. The place was packed, probably due to the heatwave we're currently experiencing in Philly. Franklin Fountain at 116 Market Street.
Thanks for sharing that link. The Franklin fountain looks totally sweet. It is exactly the kind of place I dream of building here in Tulsa.
Tron
· 1 year ago
for those in Canada (like me) Jones Soda has a bunch of different/interesting flavors. (such as vanilla, blue berry etc. check em out, and they have fun little sayings under the caps) Also, just about your little section on root beer. (and i could be wrong on this). Did it not come about during prohabition because well.. beer and other booze couldn't be sold? (or failing that I believe thats when it at least become popular).
Kate McKay
· 1 year ago
@Tron-
America's earliest colonists were the first brewers of root beer, along with sarsaparilla, ginger beer, and birch beer. The brews were made from roots, berries, and bark, and were mildly alcoholic. As mentioned in the post, alcoholic drinks like these were popular because they killed the bad stuff often lurking in the regular ground or well water.
Charles Hines introduced the first commercial root beer in 1876. At first the temperance people actually disliked it because it had the word "beer" in the name and their experience with it had been in alcoholic form. But Hines' drink was non-alcoholic and caught on.
But you are right, drinks like root beer surged in popularity during Prohibition.
I am Dion
· 1 year ago
We in Australia really are lucky when it comes to soda (called soft drink, as previously pointed out). There is none of this high fructose crap. Right now while I'm typing, I'm sipping a Coca-Cola, made with real sugar. Beautiful. There is also a wide variety of specialty soft drinks to enjoy. From the very popular Bundaberg Ginger Beer (best GB in the country, made in the same town famous for its sugar and rum), to the lesser known, small-time companies, there really is a great choice that can be found in lots of cafes and bakeries.
Take a small company called Crows Nest Cordials, made in Crows Nest, Queensland. They make some champion soft drinks. I live just 40 mins from the factory, so for my brother's wedding they ordered 24 cases of the stuff. Best idea I've seen at a wedding for a long time.
If ever you're in Aus, stop by a bakery (especially a country bakery) and pick up an Aussie meat pie, and a nice specialty soft drink.
Cheers!
Eugene
· 1 year ago
Amazing – informative, funny and inspirational article. Btw. I've read Wikipedia article, which states some phosphate compounds are toxic. Which phosphate was used in soda - and why, that's what i'd like to know. :)
Justin
· 1 year ago
I live down in Houston, home of St. Arnold's Brewery. Not only do they make good beer, they make FANTASTIC root beer.
On Saturday's, they have tours of their brewery in NW Houston. $5 will get you 4 1/2 pints of beer, but more importantly....unlimited root beer!
Kevin Conder
· 1 year ago
I agree with the sugar over HFCS point. Microbreweries that also make their own root beer and/or cream soda are also checking out.
PK
· 1 year ago
Tired of beer?...........no
Jonathan Rose
· 1 year ago
Great article and very illuminating for someone moderating and limiting there alcohol intake, such as myself. I am adopting the philosophy of temperance in my life as part of a strong, concerted effort to succeed at the goals I have in life. Alcohol is such a damaging drink - lifestyle even - and it is hard to find alternatives without loosing social grace. Like Marcel though, I simple cannot find the options and varieties in London, UK, where I live. Anyone have any suggestions, other than ordering online? It would be great to see an article on alternative drinking that catered for Londonites.
r.blondie
· 1 year ago
Your site is priceless guys. So enjoyable and done with great humor. I have just started a similarly named site that you might want to take a peek at. Good luck to you.
Greg Warwick
· 1 year ago
Thought you'd like to be aware of another soda of historical and taste significance. Fentimans Botanically Brewed Beverages were established in 1905 in Northern England when Thomas Fentiman acquired a ginger beer recipe from a fellow tradesman that gave it as a security to a failed loan. The Ginger Beer was sold in stoneware jugs called "gray hens" for years, delivered door-to-door for decades until 1992 when Eldon Robson, Thomas' great-grandson introduced the first custom bottle for the beverage. Over the next 10+ years he introduced other varieties using the same 7-day fermentation and brewing process that resulted in beverages with layers of flavour and aroma, unlike any other. Perhaps you've heard of the slow food movement? Well, these were the some of the first slow sodas. They have less then 1/2% alcohol, having been fermented, but these can still be consumed by persons of all ages and bought in every type of store and restaurant. Other varieties beyond the original Ginger Beer include Curiosity Cola (much like what you'd find at an apothocary decades ago), Victorian Lemonade, Madarin & Seville Orange Jigger, Dandelion & Burdock and Shandy. A Tonic Water, Ginger Beer and Curiosty Cola are also available in 125 ml mixer sizes. No HFCS, just all-natural ingredients and flavours.
In the quest for sodas of substance, these are truly worth checking out. You can firnd more information on them at www.DrinkFenimans.com or www.fentimans.com. Check out the link to Furtling, too. Real Victorian era humor and real hoot!
Cheers!
Darryl
· 1 year ago
Unfortunately up here (In Toronto) There's really no independent soda manufacturers anymore. they all either went bankrupt or moved away...a pity.
I'm stuck drinking Jones' Soda, which is fine but still I'd like to have variety than just being stuck with the same old sodas (Pepsi , coke, et al. ad infinitum)
All Comments
Website is www.sodapopstop.com
It's located in Highland Park, an old part of Los Angeles. The owner is an awesome, friendly and warm guy who's a must-converse for all things nostalgic. He'll readily tell tales of the old days in Los Angeles and will even give a history lesson of the nearby area, when this-or-that place was a horse feed station, etc. He's getting old, so better visit him soon.
I only knew personally of a few soda shops in the country. But I know there's more out there. I hope this post can be a place for other guys to share their favorite places to buy a delicious soda and their favorite brands and flavors.
I also had to add my own favorite soda to my blog.
Dublin's 10-2-4 Dr. Pepper FTW!
I always go to popsoda.com to drink and hang out in Scottsdale, AZ
rs
Rootbeer with two shots of vanilla. Lord I am in hog heaven.
I am a big soda (and beer) drinker, and I do have to say that the soda I had at "Jaxson's" was by far the best I have ever had.
http://www.jaxsonsicecream.com/
@ Marcel- I didn't know there was a London, KY. You can always try ordering some old fashioned independently bottled soda from the internet, although international shipping would be a beast I imagine.
@ Brent- Good old Moxie. I remember the first time I tried it I thought it tasted like carbonated cough syrup, but the taste definitely grew on me.
At all- It looks like people know where some good soda fountain/bars are. Would you all be interested in a soda fountain locator where people can post the locations of different soda shops?
And sadly, there aren't any on their list in my neck of the woods.
By the way, the link to the temperance article is broken. You doubled up on your http://s.
I go to college right by Pop the Soda Shop, and usually end up making a run there about once a month. My friends and I never leave without a few cases full, and I probably have tried one of everything in their store.
I believe Pop the Soda Shop is even getting a soda fountain! (that's what one of their employees told me awhile ago, I haven't seen any progress) When they do I will definitely go there more often.
I just wanted to add one more name to the list, and I was just there not two hours ago. The place was packed, probably due to the heatwave we're currently experiencing in Philly. Franklin Fountain at 116 Market Street.
http://www.franklinfountain.com
Thanks for sharing that link. The Franklin fountain looks totally sweet. It is exactly the kind of place I dream of building here in Tulsa.
Jones Soda has a bunch of different/interesting flavors. (such as vanilla, blue berry etc. check em out, and they have fun little sayings under the caps)
Also, just about your little section on root beer. (and i could be wrong on this).
Did it not come about during prohabition because well.. beer and other booze couldn't be sold? (or failing that I believe thats when it at least become popular).
America's earliest colonists were the first brewers of root beer, along with sarsaparilla, ginger beer, and birch beer. The brews were made from roots, berries, and bark, and were mildly alcoholic. As mentioned in the post, alcoholic drinks like these were popular because they killed the bad stuff often lurking in the regular ground or well water.
Charles Hines introduced the first commercial root beer in 1876. At first the temperance people actually disliked it because it had the word "beer" in the name and their experience with it had been in alcoholic form. But Hines' drink was non-alcoholic and caught on.
But you are right, drinks like root beer surged in popularity during Prohibition.
Take a small company called Crows Nest Cordials, made in Crows Nest, Queensland. They make some champion soft drinks. I live just 40 mins from the factory, so for my brother's wedding they ordered 24 cases of the stuff. Best idea I've seen at a wedding for a long time.
If ever you're in Aus, stop by a bakery (especially a country bakery) and pick up an Aussie meat pie, and a nice specialty soft drink.
Cheers!
http://www.saintarnold.com/beers/rootbeer.html
On Saturday's, they have tours of their brewery in NW Houston. $5 will get you 4 1/2 pints of beer, but more importantly....unlimited root beer!
Good luck to you.
In the quest for sodas of substance, these are truly worth checking out. You can firnd more information on them at www.DrinkFenimans.com or www.fentimans.com. Check out the link to Furtling, too. Real Victorian era humor and real hoot!
Cheers!
I'm stuck drinking Jones' Soda, which is fine but still I'd like to have variety than just being stuck with the same old sodas (Pepsi , coke, et al. ad infinitum)