Stewart's Cream Soda

Stewart's began making soda in 1924 with a focus on root beer. Now I've tasted their root beer and it is delicious, but it is a few of their other flavors that really intrigue me. First, their orange n'cream soda. This soda is readily available at my local store and it has been a favorite of mine over the past few holidays. Now while doing research on Stewart's I came across three other flavors that I did not know existed: a Stewart's grape, a cherries n'cream and a strawberries n'cream. All sound incredible, don't they? Too bad I've never had them. Can't even find them! Wish I could just taste them...

Roger...pass me a cream soda. And make it a double

The cream soda, however, is available in my local market and will be the featured cream soda of Day 3 of this, Cream Soda Week. Stewart's began as a root beer stand and the fountain style flows over to their bottles and taste. These bottles are clear with a red Stewart's logo, which is nicely offset by the golden soda behind it. The label itself reads "Fountain Classics" and everything here elicits a feeling of being at an ice cream parlor, ready to make a ice cream float or have Roger behind the counter slide you a frosty mug.

The first sip...for a cream soda...is something completely different from any other cream soda I've tasted. This shock leads me to turn the bottle around and study the ingredients: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavor, a preservative, caramel color, citric acid and...quillaia extract. Is that it? Is that the something special that is giving a tiny bite to this traditionally smooth style of soda? I don't know but let me say, there is a bite to each sip of this soda. There is also a substantial difference in carbonation compared to the last few I've reviewed. The soda almost foams in your mouth and where other cream sodas coat tongue with vanilla creaminess, Stewart's does not. But the taste is so unique that I'm on my second bottle and still being hit with that mystery flavor, still wondering what makes this one so special.

For a traditional cream soda, Stewart's is lacking some of that vanilla flavor and some of that smoothness, but it is still a cream soda and still bears that overall likeness. What sets this soda apart from others is the fountain style that it claims. It is definitely foamy, crisp, worth chugging, and with that unique taste, Stewart's Cream Soda is almost in a class by itself.

Smoothness: 6.8 - It's the bite that takes away the smoothness
Overall Taste: 9.0 - Different, a must try, and a unique experience
Fizz Factor: 6.0 - That foaminess is almost a flavor in itself, the bubbles form in your mouth
Appearance: 8.0 - Nice label, nothing too fancy, and the soda is a golden tan
Flavor: 7.8 - A mild cream soda that satisfies

From the company: 12 oz has 180 calories, 0g of fat, 45g of carbs, 45g of sugar and 0g of protein.

IBC Cream Soda

"Sidney, relax. Have a cream soda."

Growing up, IBC root beer was a treat to be had on pizza nights and holidays. The fact that the soda comes in glass bottles was a big reason for that, but eventually I began to associate IBC with good times and good food, and honestly, the root beer is definitely a compliment to home cookin'. When I turned seventeen I purchased my first mini-fridge for my bedroom and stocked it with cans of many varieties but also glass bottles of IBC, for those special occasions. And now, IBC root beer is still a treat, to be had intermittently when I'm craving a classic root beer.

I digress because this post is about the cream soda. Starting with the all clear glass bottle, sans label, we see the soda in its full glory. IBC cream soda is almost golden, looking like a tanned honey, almost radiating from within. It could very well be the clear bottles that add to this display as nothing obstructs light from illuminating the creamy soda throughout. The bottles themselves have a raised glass label, making them unique, but the label itself resembles something from 1919, when IBC first began creating these bubbly beverages.



The first sip is light, almost airy, and the soda heads for the roof of the mouth, expanding to the sides before slipping down the back of the throat. It is not an overwhelming, powerful first sip but the taste is right there. Actually, when sipping the soda the taste does not linger, making you reach for another sip faster than I did with the Virgil's (Oct. 15, 2012). If you drink it, the tastes persists and quenches the vanilla craving, however, you still eagerly grab for another chug. IBC nails the cream soda and vanilla flavor but does so lightly. Halfway through a bottle and the mild carbonation is not affecting me in any way. In fact., the soda tastes so light it goes up into your smell receptors on every sip.

Like golden sun rays mixed with honey and
 trapped in a bottle

IBC's light cream soda is still strong on taste and might be the perfect companion to a meal, like for instance, a pizza night with family.

Smoothness: 9.0 - So smooth you almost miss it

Overall Taste: 8.0 - The taste is definitely there, but a little mild

Fizz Factor: 4.8 - Almost no carbonation but the feeling that the soda is invading your nose from behind means it is there

Appearance: 8.5 - The golden soda looks like a beverage from the gods and clear bottles accent this, although the label is hard to see cut into the glass

Flavor: 8.3 - A classic cream soda, nothing to make it stand out, but still delicious

 

From the company: 12 oz has 180 calories, 0g of fat, 48g of carbs, 48g of sugar and 0g of protein.

Virgil's Cream Soda

We start Cream Soda Week with a unique cream soda from Virgil's, who also make an absolutely delicious orange cream soda in addition to a classic root beer. But what sets this soda apart is the fact that it is made with cane sugar and it is micro brewed. It is considered a gourmet soda and made by REED'S Inc. from ingredients from around the world, is gluten free and contains no preservatives.

Well, he does look like a carpenter

Let's get to the soda but first, the bottle. What I originally thought was a pirate named Virgil on the bottle turns out to just be a bearded man in a flannel shirt, serving the soda to two eagerly waiting children. Unique, and intricate for a bottle label, and as I look closer at this particular label, I read "So rich and creamy you'll swear it's made in Heaven." So is that Jesus serving the soda? Did Jesus wear flannel? The background is definitely clouds...OK, well the label is, different, but the bottle itself is shaped more like a beer bottle than a soda and looks a little larger than only 12 oz.

Being the first sip of the week, Virgil's gets a leg up because cream soda is not a regular taste and that initial hit is like no other, something that may wear off as the week goes on. I don't guzzle cream soda at first; I sip. I want to enjoy that taste because it's not quenching a thirst, it is satisfying a craving. Virgil's is thick, extremely smooth, but filling. The all natural ingredients are apparent as one can almost taste the real cane sugar. It hits on every vanilla cream soda flavor and definitely envelops the taste buds and the tongue, reaching all the way down the throat. There is a substantial lack of carbonation, which is typical of cream sodas but in this sense, it goes unmissed as Virgil's drinks like a beverage compared to a bubbly soda.

So far the week is a success. Virgil's is smooth with no bite, and nothing to distract from that heavy vanilla taste.

Smoothness: 8.5 - Extremely smooth, like you're drinking cream itself

Overall Taste: 8.3 - The taste is definitively vanilla bean, you can almost taste the purity

Fizz Factor: 5.5 - Carbonation doesn't hit you until the soda is in your stomach

Appearance: 7.0 - Not a fan of Jesus serving me soda or wearing a flannel, but the soda is a perfect tan, and darker than some of the others to be sampled this week

Flavor: 8.0 - Nails the cream soda taste and does it all naturally, so no complaints here

From the company: 12 oz has 160 calories, 0g of fat, 42g of carbs, 42g of sugar and 0g of protein.

Cream Soda Week

Cream soda is known for its vanilla taste and it's that vanilla taste that separates this soda from all others. Despite the brown colour, cream soda is made with vanilla, either flavoring, beans, extract, or syrup, and it's vanilla that gives the soda its smoothness. And that's what cream soda really offers: a smooth, classy taste that glides into the stomach, coating every inch of the digestive tract in a palpable, thin layer of vanilla that sticks, long enough to satisfy until you reach for another sip.

This week we're celebrating cream soda with Cream Soda Week, where we will review Virgil's, IBC, Stewart's, Dr. Brown's, A&W and Polar. With many more on the market, the next week will include a few trips to local markets to see if I can't find a few more brands and turn this into Cream Soda Week-and-a-half. We're also going to add one new category to the ratings just for this week to help our analysis of cream sodas: smoothness.

Is there anything more beautiful? Ok, yes, but this is quite nice too.

The Mike & Ike Split

Mike wuz here '12
(Thanks to Melissa for the pic!)

 I was actually informed by a friend over a month ago about this split, when she casually said, "did you hear Mike & Ike broke up?" Soon after I began seeing the scribbled out names on candy boxes and then billboards that looked as if a graffiti artist demonstrated a dislike for one or the other member of the candy duo. More people started telling me about it and finally, my sister found out. She's the last to hear about anything. I did not want to address this feud, or split, because I wanted to focus on the candy: Mike & Ikes. They're delicious. They're top ten. And I can suggest 3 other ways off the top of my head I believe would or could generate more revenue than a split slash publicity stunt of classic monikers in the candy game.

1. Bring back Cherry & Bub. Cherry Mike & Ikes are one of the best fruit candies known to man. The pairing of cherry and a bubble gum flavors was incredible. It was genius and Cherry & Bub would be a smash if they came back.
2. Watermelon. It is the pinnacle of taste in the highly delicious Red Rageous Mike & Ike flavor. Use it. Bring it to other areas. Make a mix that focuses on watermelon and is complimented by the other flavors. The Red Rageous are possibly the best thing going for Mike & Ike right now; you can devour them by the handful and each flavor stands on its own. A big reason for this is the cherry but the watermelon, I mean, WOW.
3. A vanilla flavor. Pair it with almost anything else and it is BOMB! Make cream flavors...didn't Mike & Ike have lemonade flavors? Orange cream, strawberry cream, vanilla cream...doesn't that sound awesome? Put them all in the same box! You could even market it to an older crowd at first, then kids will inevitably find out and scoop them up.


Can't we all just get along?



I might also suggest more focus on the fruit twists. Since I've found those I've bought pack upon pack, stocking up on Saturdays to get me through til Fridays. I'm hooked. They are awesome. Do a cherry one with vanilla inside. Please?

Arizona Cherry Lime Rickey

Last week while at my nearest convenience store a young man asked the local merchant to begin carrying Arizona Cherry Lime Rickey. My inquisitiveness about this new beverage was quickly answered as the young man pulled an enormous, colorful can from his pocket, informing the cashier he had purchased this down the street. I thought little of the exchange until I saw the can at a 7-Eleven, the only location these new drinks are available, while working yesterday.

"How dare you interrupt my lime rickey!"
- Mr. Burns

First, and most obvious, impression is the size of the can: 23.5 oz and 695 ml. For a carbonated beverage this is a little large for my one serving tastes. The can design is extremely unique, created by Kenny Vidinich, winner of a contest for the cherry lime rickey's big can design contest. The swirling greens and reds on the can sweeping across the Brooklyn Bridge really helped set this can apart while the bubbly cherries and halved limes found bouncing around hint at the unique flavor contained within.

The name speaks for itself. Exactly as prescribed, this is a cherry lime rickey with a strong lime aftertaste. Initially, I believed there would be a really bubbly first bite, but the drink is smooth. With it being cherry, and not raspberry, that little kick of bitter that raspberry sodas tend to give is absent. But the lime is definitely there, taking right over after the liquid hits your lips. At halfway through the soda, I'm still trying to peg the taste as it's something I've never experienced. At halfway through the soda, I'm also starting to fill and the drink is slowly getting warmer.

That is the major drawback of the big cans. Too big for a guy like me, who would prefer to open and consume two smaller containers than one large one. I think the soda stays fresher. But with Arizona Cherry Lime Rickey only being available in the big cans, I had to make do. I definitely recommend trying the beverage but it's availability is questionable, so get to your local 7-Eleven soon to pick one up and help celebrate Arizona's 20th Anniversary with their new flavor.

Overall Taste: 6.5 - Unique, but a little flat, with a much stronger lime than cherry

Fizz Factor: 5.0 - Not much fizz but a smoother drink than soda

Appearance: 8.5 - The can is huge, but the design in marvelous, and reminds me of graffiti

Flavor: 7.0 - A must try but it's doubtful to become a regular choice of mine

From the company: 8 oz has 70 calories, 0g of fat, 19g of carbs, 18g of sugar and 0g of protein. The big cans hold about 3 servings (23.5 oz)

Mexican Coke vs. American Coke

There is a battle brewing, my friends. One between soft drinks made with corn syrup and ones made with cane sugar. The war goes back (and please don't quote me on any of this) to agriculture, with the United States being a prime climate for corn, not sugar. Corn syrup is made through processing corn starch and is widely used to sweeten products, including but not limited to, soda. Cane sugar on the other hand comes from tropical climates, like Brazil, is more heavily taxed as an import, and is a more natural way to sweeten foods as the cane sugar juice is heated to produce a syrup, where as corn starch requires additional processing (the addition of enzymes) to produce corn syrup. With both being sugars, and neither being a great source of anything but empty calories and deliciousness, the case for either remains strong.



Mexican Coke (left) vs American Coke (right)



With sodas, many organic flavors and imported sodas use cane sugar and many of the American mainstay beverages use corn syrup. Since Coke in my town is available in both American and Mexican styles, I am able to provide some insight into a taste comparison between the two.

First impression is the bottle. The Mexican Coke bottle is larger, 12oz (355ml) and bears a better resemblance to the classic Coke bottle shape. American Coke, the bottles I tested, were smaller, albeit cuter, but only contained 8oz (237ml). The Mexican bottle size is preferable, offering that additional 4oz that I'm particularly used to in one container as opposed to opening two separate American bottles to get a similar amount.

Moving to the first sip. They are distinctively different. The Mexican Coke fizzes as it hits your tongue and bites. The taste is less powerful than its American counterpart but very smooth, enveloping the entire mouth. American Coke, on the other hand, sits on your tongue an extra split second, coating it, lubricating your mouth as it spreads all the way down the back of the throat. Even the bubbles feel bigger; while the Mexican Coke fizzes the American bubbles. The tastes are very different as well, subtle enough to make both Classic Coke but overt enough so that anyone can tell the difference.

From a health perspective, the Mexican bottle came in at 150 calories compared to 100 calories for the American - meaning that equal volumes would contain equal calories. And really when it comes down to the other components outside of cane sugar or corn syrup, the two sodas are alike (carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors and caffeine). So is there really a clear leader? Yes, Mexican cane sugar is less processed, but isn't supporting corn farmers part of the American way?

Anyway, my roommate tried them both and could tell there was a difference and claimed to like the American a little better...which was the same conclusion I came to as well. So for me, it'll be American Coke, the taste that maybe because I grew up with it, is a little more what I envision a Coke to be.