A Beverage Worth the Price of Shipping
By Anthony Todd in Food on Feb 26, 2009 7:30PM
We’ve been obsessed with Sprecher Brewery sodas since we were little kids. Their Root Beer (which you may remember from our Root Beer Float cocktail) has won prizes and accolades of all sorts, and they can add one more: It’s so good, we were convinced to order soda pop from out of state.
It was a bright, sunny day two years ago when we walked into our favorite grocery store, looking to buy a refreshing drink for the walk home, only to find that Sprecher had disappeared from the shelves. We stood there in shock, debating whether the manager would think us insane if we burst into hysterical shouting in the aisles. Deciding that decorum was called for, even in tough times, we vowed to find a way to ensure a steady supply of our ambrosial brew.
Sprecher Brewery is located in Glendale, Wisconsin, and offers a full line of gourmet sodas and premium beers. We can’t speak to the quality of their microbrews (though we’ve heard good things) but their sodas are nothing short of amazing. The secrets to their root beer (they claim) are pure Wisconsin honey “direct from the comb,” aromatic botanicals and a gas-fired brew kettle. We’d be willing to believe them if they said they rubbed the inside with the scalps of angels.
However, actually ordering soda pop online and having it shipped hundreds of miles was a tough mental leap to make. We knew that we might be mocked, at least until our friends tried the soda. Then, we’d face the opposite problem: hiding it from them until we’d had our fill. What finally convinced us was the price. For a case of twelve 16 oz. Bottles, the total cost (with shipping) was $23.69. At around $2/bottle, that’s less than we were paying retail. A cheap luxury for hard times.
If we ever get tired of the Root Beer, we might try their Cream Soda, Orange Dream or Ginger ale. We’ll let you know. On the other hand, we know our next order will include a bottle of their Root Beer BBQ sauce - let grilling season commence!