Shirakiku Pineapple

Another bottle of Japanese ramune. If this is the first of these you've seen then check out the first post about this particular brand and bottle style at the link here. There are a few other posts on ramune you can explore by using the article "tags" at the bottom of each post.

I was looking forward to trying this drink because I've liked many previous ramune beverages from the Shirakiku line-up, but this one is strange. It smells more like a melon flavored drink. Indeed, there is also a touch of melon in the flavor as well as that of apple juice. But it doesn't invoke any sense of pineapple to me. I'm not saying it is necessarily bad, but it's just not very crisp, no very carbonated and not like pineapple. I can't recommend it, but if you're curious, try it.

World Market Pomegranate

This bottle of Pomegranate soda is the third World Market beverage to appear here. There really isn't a history to discuss as these are a line of private label sodas created by the World Market stores.

The drink itself has a rich cranberry coloring to it and smells like fresh fruit. It's carbonation is even but slight. It's taste is like cranberry and lime juice. I say this because it's a deep fruit pulp flavor but quite tart with a lime-like aftertaste. It's also a very natural product as no chemicals are included as ingredients. It's an interesting flavor but I usually prefer pomegranate mixed with other flavors. Because of it's pucker inducing nature I, personally, would only drink this in small amounts.

Sioux City Birch Beer

In 1987, White Rock Beverages, who had already been producing spring water and soft drinks since the 1800's, created the Sioux City line of sodas with a western theme. Although the bottle says Sioux City, which is located in Iowa, White Rock Beverages hails from New York.

Wow, what an aroma. Opening this bottle unleashes the scent of cinnamon and peppermint. It is only lightly carbonated but it's very refreshing. Although a birch beer should taste more like root beer, so I'm not sure how it ended up tasting this way, but it is nice and brings to mind a Lifesavers breath mint. In my opinion you should grab a 4-bottle pack to try.

Topo Sabores Orange

Topo Sabores is a Mexican made soda under the umbrella of the Topo Chico company that began in 1895 to bottle mineral waters. The late 1800's were the hey day of consumer use of "healing waters" before people understood what was in the mineral springs being ingested and/or bathed in. The company was also the first Mexican bottler of Coca-Cola, though it is unknown when they began making their own brand of sodas under the name of Topo Sabores.

It carries a sugary orange aroma like that of orange-flavored Smarties. The bottle is thick and carries a considerable heft, which I like. The taste immediately reminds me of cheap orange popscicles as a kid during the summer. It seems a bit odd though that they would use cane sugar, rather than corn syrup, but then include so many chemicals in the ingredients. Maybe high-fructose corn syrup isn't as cheap in Mexico? All in all, it isn't bad but I'd like for them to increase the carbonation just a bit. If you're interested, this brand can be found in many grocery store ethnic food sections here in the states.

Jones Soda Blue Bubblegum

Another incarnation from Jones Soda. Jones has been around since 1987 and you can read more on them at this post.

This particular blend comes in an unholy bright blue color more reminiscent of a sports drink than a soda. It is well carbonated and does smell of bubblegum. If I had closed my eyes I might have thought a piece of Bazooka Joe's was under my nose. Unfortunately this does not taste as much like bubblegum as it smells. The bubblegum flavor disapates quickly and I'm left with a slightly chemical taste in my mouth and taste buds that feel the slightest bit numb. Once again Jones misses the mark in my opinion. I have to assume that their user-submitted bottle and print ad photos are the only thing selling these sodas from Jones. Better luck next time.

Faygo Black Cherry

Here's the second Faygo flavor to be reviewed on this blog. You'll find more about the history of Faygo on the first appearance here.

Although most of the carbonation has seeped out of this bottle, indicating it's been around a while, it tastes like a black cherry soda should. It actually smells a bit like cough syrup. But the dark cherry flavor hits true. Dark fruit flavors just seem a bit more brooding and complex than some of the bright and cheerful flavors don't you think? I'd like to try this one again with it's appropriate carbonation, but I'd say give this one a go.

Refresco Goya Cola Champagne

This is the second Refresco Goya soda to be featured on the blog, after pineapple appeared here.

For your average American this is an unusual flavor, but this is not my first "champagne" soda. It's scent is that of a red cream soda, but it is orange like Irn-Bru. This offerring does not tastes like a cheap vanilla cream soda. It has no bite or crispness to it and is only moderately carbonated. This is a pass for me as I can think of better choices from the cream family of sodas. It's pretty to look at but that only goes so far. 

Hank's Gourmet Vanilla Cream Soda

Out of Philadelphia, Hank's Beverages has been producing "gourmet" soda since 1996. The company's website will tell you they have been in the beverage industry for 40 years, however I was unable to discover what they were doing in the years prior to releasing these sodas in the 90's. As to what makes their sodas "gourmet" is debatable. Many soda producers use pure cane sugar, aside from this they state to use only premium ingredients. What comprises qualifies as "premium" in the soda business aside from sugar is up to you I guess. One thing is for sure, people will usually spend more on something if it's labeled gourmet than not.

It does have a welcome vanilla scent when opened. It has an average carbonation level. While drinking you can taste cream flavor but the vanilla is there too, just harder to find behind that cream flavoring. While a decent choice, it's not memorable and a bit on the dull side. I would pass on this if you have the choice for something with a little more zip.

Ale 81

After a long hiatus from posting, I've returned with a bottle of Ale 81. I tasted my first bottle of Ale 81 around 4 years ago while in Ohio for work. I quickly learned that Kentuckians are rabid about their Ale 81.

G.L. Wainscott, began bottling soda in Winchester, Kentucky in 1902. In 1906, he released Roxa-Kola to compete with the rising popularity of cola beverages. Wainscott was searching for a new flavor and had been trying some ginger recipes after traveling in Europe. The new soda was released in 1926 as Ale 81. Wainscott also sponsored a contest for the slogan of his new beverage at the Clark County Fair. The winning slogan, "A late one," is still seen on the bottle and is said to mean it is the "latest" drink. Over the years, the company has moved a few times and expanded but still remains in Winchester and the President of the company is Wainscott's great-nephew.

Ale 81 is typically classified as ginger ale but it's got some small differences. For one thing it has the after-bite in the back fo the mouth of a ginger beer. I'm not exactly sure how the differences between ginger ale and ginger beer are created during brewing. Is it just the amount of ginger used or something else? Another thing that sets this apart is that the flavor has a bit of floweriness to it with the smallest hint of bitters. The liquid itself is well carbonated yet smooth on the front end. I'm a ginger ale fan so eventhough this drink can be hard to find if you're outside of Kentucky or Southern Indiana and Ohio... it's a nice change once in a while. If you like the ginger ale family you'll enjoy this one.

Jarritos Lime

The second bottle featured by Jarritos is this bottle of Lime or Limon, sourced from ethnic foods at the local grocery. See the first Jarritos post here.

This lime has quite a bite to it's flavor. In fact, I would venture to say this isn't lime flavored as much as lime-like. Even if it is made with 100% real sugar, the flavor seems to be a complete chemical concoction. It's not a flavor I'm going to remember fondly. If acidic candy if your flavor of choice then go for it, but I'd just as soon pass on this in the future.