Small-Batch Soft Drinks Becoming Popular in St. Louis

Originally soft drinks fell into the category of patent medicines. We can trace their origin back to the mineral water found in springs. Scientists of the time discovered that carbon dioxide was responsible for the natural bubbles in the springs and since it was considered very healthy to bathe in the water, why not drink it? In 1767, an Englishman, Dr. Joseph Priestly, created the first drinkable glass of carbonated water. In 1810, the first United States patent was issued for the “mass manufacture of imitation mineral water.” Carbonated mineral water didn’t really catch on until about 1832 when the first machines for making the carbonated water were sold to soda fountain owners. Soon the American pharmacists selling mineral waters began adding medicinal and flavorful herbs to the water. Birch bark, dandelion, sarsaparilla, and fruit extracts were popular additions. The fountains became very popular, but customers wanted to take their “health drinks” home with them and the soft drink bottling industry was born.

Root beer goes way back to Civil War times. In 1870 a Philadelphia pharmacist experimented with a mixture of herbs, roots, and berries. Included in these was licorice, dog grass, birch bark, hops, and vanilla beans. About the same time Coca Cola was invented. Everyone knows about the special ingredient (cocaine) that gave it its special kick, along with the caffeine from the cola nuts. A few years later in 1898 Pepsi came along followed by Dr. Pepper and 7-UP which was created right here in St. Louis and called Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda.

Prior to the 1980’s it seemed that soft drinks in the United States were going the way of the beer industry. The two giants Coke and Pepsi controlled most of the market. Then in the 80’s, like the beer microbreweries, a cottage industry for micro-bottlers of soft drinks started to take on a little steam.

And now, like the beer microbreweries with their beer tastings, some areas of the country are having their own soda tastings. Some of the beer guys are even starting their own soda production. The St. Louis Brewery, brewer of Schlafly Beer, is now producing a non-alcohol Jamaican-style ginger beer. Although many of the new soft drinks cater to a more adult palate, there’s still a little bit of a social stigma involved. After all it’s still kid’s stuff, right? Not necessarily, soda tastings might be right around the corner. Until they become more commonplace, you might even consider having your own. Most supermarkets have a limited choice of micro-sodas so you might consider going to an upscale supermarket like Straub’s here in St. Louis. A spokesman for the one located in Webster Groves says that sales of the micro brewed soda has surged in the past couple of years. You might check out the selection that Jones Soda Company offers or an old-time brand like Moxie or GuS-“Grown Up Soda.” Then of, course there is the local favorite, Fitz’s. Fitz’s started in Richmond Heights in 1947 making root beer. Today, Fitz’s American Grill and Bottle works sits in the heart of the Delmar Loop. There you can enjoy your burger and fries and watch the soda being bottled. Aside from the original secret-formula root beer, Fitz’s now offers a wide variety of flavors.

The small batch soda mecca in the St. Louis area is a store called Soda Jerks, which is located in the ST. Louis Mills Shopping Center. They sell specialty soft drinks from all over the country, some 200 in all. If you are going to have your own soda tasting, you should probably limit yourself to 7 or 8 different brands. They are pretty sweet after all. Be sure to have some snacks on hand. Here are some food pairings: Ginger Beer is spicy and goes well with Asian food. Cream soda is a great dessert soda. Root beer is a perfect companion to a slice of pizza. You get the idea. You might also want to try a variation on the old Coke versus Pepsi theme: though it’s almost illegal, you can still get the colas in the old returnable bottles imported from Mexico. The Mexican stuff is still made with cane sugar instead of corn syrup. See if you can tell the difference.