An Exceptional Ginger Ale

[huntertrw]

My local hardware store has in impressive selection of hard-to-find sodas including Cheerwine, Frostie Root Beer, and Dad's Root Beer, among many others. They also carry a ginger ale with which I have fallen in love. It's called Blenheim, and it has been bottled in South Carolina since 1903. Here's a link (www.blenheimgingerale.com) to their Website.
To-date I have tried their No. 5 (which has a heady gingery tang) and their Old No. 3 (which is spicy hot - a startling thing in a soft-drink), and find that the former best suits my taste-buds. To paraphrase Pipestud, give Blenheim a go you ginger ale fans; you can thank me later.

 

[mso489]

My wife uses that extra hot Blenheims to settle her stomach. I buy it at the State Farmer's Market, and it is not inexpensive. I like the milder version to wake up my taste buds. I think it might pair well with some blends. We don't drink much cola, but when we do, we like Mexican Coco Cola with cane sugar.

 

[huntertrw]

We don't drink much cola, but when we do, we like Mexican Coco Cola with cane sugar.

The taste of Mexican-bottled Coca-Cola reminds me of that of the U.S.-bottled product which I enjoyed when I was very young. Despite what the folks at the headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia may say, the taste of the current U.S.-bottled product simply pales by comparison.

 

[warren]

My barber returns home, Mexico, every two years at Christmas. He states, I believe him, Coke is Mexico is very good. He won't touch the blend selling in the US, prefers Pepsi.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

My favorite ginger... and ginger ale. I'd love to try the Blenheim sometime. I made ginger ale (or technically a ginger beer) one year, when I had a bumper crop of ginger in the garden, but so far I haven't had another crop quite that large. It was good. Mrs. Cosmic tends to drink all of my ginger products faster than I can though.

 

[huntertrw]

I made a face like that once after smoking a bowl of Mixture 79!

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Reed's extra ginger is good. I like to ferment my own too, cheap and easy like sourdough.

 

[beefeater33]

Thanks for the post huntertrw!

I'll be trying this one soon, looks like a local market carries their products.

I used to make a 5 gallon batch every summer, bottled it in the 22 ounce size bottles......... good stuff!

That was back when I was single, no kids, no mortgage and tons of free time........ ahhhh the good old days!!........ ::

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

Sounds good. I like ginger ale, and would like to try this one sometime.

 

[huntertrw]

I used to make a 5 gallon batch every summer, bottled it in the 22 ounce size bottles......... good stuff!

Blenheim is put up in 12-ounce bottles; just enough to be satisfying (and leaving you craving more).

 

[agnosticpipe]

I grew up drinking Vernors Ginger Ale. I just wish I could find it where I live now in Mississippi, because they make a diet version of it. Other ginger ales tempt me, but my diabetes won't tolerate it.

 

[huntertrw]

Orley:
My family "discovered" Vernor's Ginger Ale when we used to vacation at Michigan's beautiful state parks when I was a youngster. It's good and has an oak-tinged flavor (due to its barrel-aging) which Blenheim lacks, but the latter is much more gingery. Blenheim does offer a diet version, so you might look for it in your area.

 

[mackeson]

I also grew up drinking Vernor's so the other major brands never tasted quite right to me. I do like many "Specialty" ginger ales though. I'll have to try Blenheim.

 

[joeman]

I grew up with different ginger ale products. Having lived in SC for 11 years now, I've tasted nothing else like Blenheim's. It may have ruined me for others.

 

[mikethompson]

I'm glad Vernors was mentioned in this thread. My wife was born in Windsor and her family introduced it to me. Great stuff!

 

[smittyd]

Bleinhiem #3 is one of my favorites . I buy it by the case when i am down south.

 

[crashthegrey]

It appears that Blenheim ships, but the shipping was more than the case, so I'll have to wait for this.

 

[mso489]

My grandma used to have Vernor's and it was a special treat when visiting her. Along with the Sen-Sen licorice tabs and Grandma's special Western Massachusetts home cooking, which I didn't realize was distinctly regional until she was gone and I was in the Berkshires.

 

[giacomo]

Thanks for the info! I drink ginger ale often and evidently need to expand my horizon.

 

[chilipalmer]

Based upon literally minutes of scientific research, I have been able to conclude that in the universe of ginger ale, there are only two classifications: Blenheim's and everyone who wishes their product was as good. :lol:
For those who live beyond the retail distribution area of Blenheim's, you can order from their website. They will even ship you a mixed case. It isn't cheap, but, you'll be glad you did.
Cheers,
Chili