BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Steve, my one and only experience with Ale-8-One was at Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati where a manager explained the name to me thusly:

Ale-8-One is meant to read, "A Late One", as in, "It's going to be a late one cramming for my finals here at University of Cincinnati. Guess I'll chug a couple of Ale-8-Ones to keep me going."

So yeah, I suppose the name says it all in terms of the level of caffeine involved.

I wasn't too fond of the taste, and I don't recall any specific difficulties that night in falling asleep, although I did consume the beverage mid-afternoon, so maybe the effects had worn off by then.

Bottoms up!

Buddy

I found it pretty flat in the carbonation dept. Maybe that was a result of its long journey or long storage, but it was more like drinking mildly ginger ale flavored water. It didn't pack much of a ginger punch. I didn't care for it all that much compared to Vernor's or even Canada Dry. the caffeine wasn't overwhelming, but I didn't drink the whole bottle, either.

BuddyRoadhouse wrote: Ale-8-One is meant to read, "A Late One", as in, "It's going to be a late one cramming for my finals here at University of Cincinnati. Guess I'll chug a couple of Ale-8-Ones to keep me going."

Was my drink of choice for this purpose until Jolt cola came out...IDK if it was really that caffeinated, but certainly that's how it was marketed - and half of staying awake to study is power of suggestion . It does have a more pleasant (if IIRC a bit more sugary) flavor than Jolt.

Did you try it yet, Steve?

LAZ wrote:

gleam wrote:Faygo Red Pop

Meijer carries Faygo.

So does the convenience store around the corner, but not in glass bottles, sadly. Since Meijer is roughly as accessible as America's Market to me (they both take 45+ minutes to get to), I might as well go to America's Market and get plenty of stuff Meijer doesn't carry.

Mhays wrote:
Did you try it yet, Steve?

See the post right above yours. I was underwhelmed.

Curious that it was written up in a foodie magazine - I always thought of it as a kid's drink (at least for kids whose parents didn't mind them being hopped-up on stimulants) Wasn't a favorite, and was difficult to get in Northern KY, but we turned to it for caffeine when searching for "Old Coke" when Coke reformulated.

I was at Sam's Liquors yesterday, and I noticed that they had a couple of soft drinks I'd seen at America's Market -- except they cost more at Sam's! Only one that sticks in my memory -- probably because it's something I love and recently bought at America's Market -- is the Ginger People ginger beer -- $2 at Sam's and $.175 at America's Market. So the price range for exotica at AM seems to be reasonable.

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:Ale-8-One is meant to read, "A Late One", as in, "It's going to be a late one cramming for my finals here at University of Cincinnati. Guess I'll chug a couple of Ale-8-Ones to keep me going."

I had one of those last year near Maysville, KY. Lower carbination with a taste somewhere between ginger ale and Sprite. Personally, not much to recommend it unless you grew up on the stuff.

There were so many other options of local sodas made in cincinnati.

Is the Faygo in glass bottles?

shopkeeper wrote:Is the Faygo in glass bottles?

I don't think they have it yet, but my impression is that they're not buying sodas in anything but glass bottles, so I suppose they will be. They did have some cans of Temple Dr. Pepper, but are replacing those with bottles of Dublin Dr. Pepper soon.

Hey guys, it's dimples at AM. We are looking for Faygo in the glass bottles. I will keep you posted. We did get the Coke from Holland and the Dr. Pepper from Dublin. Please stop by and see us if you are in the neighborhood. Dimples

Stevez -- you will let us know when you pick up your Netherlands Coke, won't you? I want to share in your joy.

I just went over there today during my lunch to check the place out. At first I was not expecting much, but was pleasently surprise. From the cutie that was working there to the massive array of sodas.

I picked up each a glass bottle of Dr. Pepper, Jolt Cola, Cheerwine, and Abita Root Beer. First of all Im really surprised that they still make Jolt cola the way I remember it, not the stuff that they sell now in those "Battery" containers. Cheerwine Ive always wanted to try since seeing it on the Taste of America on the travel network.

I was only able to glance at all that they have. They have a great variety of things from across the county. From the warm reception that I got (plus the bottle of Imperial Cane Dr. Pepper) and the great layout of products, I will definately be back.

Heck I might just make it a mission, to try all of the sodas they have!!

Dear Ducky: Thank you so much for the compliment. It is my job to help people find the things they love. I am glad to be getting the opportunity to help all the LTH People. Please come to the store more often. We get new products all the time and we love to add new sodas. Take care. Dimples

I want to publicly thank Cheryl for going out of her way to help me obtain some Dancing Pigs BBQ sauce. I needed that sauce to help the Chef at my wedding get an idea what Im looking for concerning BBQ spaghetti.

Its that type of service that make me go back there often.

Well, that and the cheerwine, blue cream moxie soda, Jolt cola, other sodas, space food sticks, and now Dancing Pigs sauce.

Keep up the good work, Dimples.

Mike aka DirtyDuckInn

DirtyDuckInn,

You're not having a wedding circa 1574?

Congratulations!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:DirtyDuckInn,

You're not having a wedding circa 1574?

Congratulations!

Regards,

<laughs>
You would be surprised how many times we get that question (she runs a store at the faire, Im an assistant director for one of the historical guildes). Except for one little thing, the wedding is going to be non-faire themed.

DDI

DirtyDuckInn wrote: Except for one little thing, the wedding is going to be non-faire themed.

I hope that thing is not a chastity belt!

stevez wrote:I hope that thing is not a chastity belt!

Thanks...now I have to explain to the IT department why I spit out coffee in laughter onto the keyboard.

Actually, since the Dirty Duck Inn at the faire makes soup for the performers and workers of Bristol, Im working with the chef doing the wedding about doing soup shot appetizers.

If there are not enough reasons why these folks are awesome, they're having their 3rd Annual Root Beer Tasting on May 22nd from 11-3. Hope I can make this one!

I'm not sure at what point in my life I first sampled pickled okra, but I've loved it for a long time. I used to be able to get it whenever I went on driving trips, as Stuckey's used to carry it, but I don't think there are any of those left anymore. So I was pleased to find that America's Market is importing pickled okra from Texas.

Loads of other treasures at this wonderful little market (and it doesn't hurt that it's also a few doors from a good Russian deli and around the corner from Chaihanna), but the okra is my happiest find from my most recent trip. I will add that, even though it says it's hot, it's only hot if you don't like hot food. I'd say it's mildly spicy. But that's okay, as I'm going for the sour more than the spice.

I haven't sampled it so can't comment on the quality but my Whole Foods (Ashland and School) seems to have pickled okra on their olive bar most of the time these days...not sure if the offerings are consistent from one store to another.

boudreaulicious wrote:I haven't sampled it so can't comment on the quality but my Whole Foods (Ashland and School) seems to have pickled okra on their olive bar most of the time these days...not sure if the offerings are consistent from one store to another.

Thanks for the tip, boureaulicious.

I've looked at a lot of Whole Foods olive bars and have never seen pickled okra. Maybe it's new -- or specific to your store. If it is specific to your store, then I'll probably keep getting it at America's Market, since that's close. But I'll definitely look next time I'm at WF.

Of course, I'll also keep going to America's Market for the myriad other delights.

This weekend, America's Market celebrates their 3-year anniversary. I don't think I'll be able to make it, but I thought others might want to. Here's their announcement.

Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you to all who have been a part of our success in the past three
years! A new year has come and we have big plans to continue the fun. To
celebrate our 3rd year, we are honoring one of the most popular east coast
snacks "TastyKakes". Come join us and get a free TastyKake, and sample a
tasting or two. We look forward to seeing you!

Date: March 26th, 2011
Time: 11:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Place: 9 Huntington Lane
Wheeling, IL
(off of Dundee Road one block East of Buffalo Grove Road

Just got this note from America's Market. For those of you who are fans of exotic pop, this might be of interest.

This coming Monday April 18th, the shopkeeper is heading south to make a soda pick-up. In the past we have carried these sodas with positive feedback from our customers. I will be picking up a limited quantity for the store on this trip.

If you prefer not to run the risk, of us running out. You can pre-order from America's Market ($24 per case - unbelievable price of $1 per bottle for this truly wonderful old fashion type of soda) and I will have it available for you at the store for pick-up anytime on/or after Tuesday April 19th.

You can either send me an e-mail reply to this e-mail or call us at 847-850-2563 with your order.

Ski 24pk (cane sugar)
Frostie Root Beer 24pk (cane sugar)
Black Cherry 24pk (cane sugar)
Red Cream 24pk (cane sugar)
Orange Pineapple 24pk (cane sugar)
Cherry Breese 24pk (cane sugar)
Blueberry Breese 24pk (cane sugar)
Lucky Club Cola 24pk (cane sugar)
Guilt Free Lucky Club Cola 24pk (cane sugar)
Ginger Ale 24pk (cane sugar)
Grape 24pk (cane sugar)
Orange 24pk (cane sugar)


Thank you,

Todd Schultheis
America's Market, Inc.
9 Huntington Lane
Wheeling, IL 60090
847-850-2563
americas_market@sbcglobal.net

Soda aficionados!

Cynthia wrote:
Ski 24pk (cane sugar)
Frostie Root Beer 24pk (cane sugar)
Black Cherry 24pk (cane sugar)
Red Cream 24pk (cane sugar)
Orange Pineapple 24pk (cane sugar)
Cherry Breese 24pk (cane sugar)
Blueberry Breese 24pk (cane sugar)
Lucky Club Cola 24pk (cane sugar)
Guilt Free Lucky Club Cola 24pk (cane sugar)
Ginger Ale 24pk (cane sugar)
Grape 24pk (cane sugar)
Orange 24pk (cane sugar)

Are any of these worth buying in bulk? I recall from some previous threads a few of these getting poor-ish reviews.

If any of these are really noteworthy, special items, I'll make sure to submit my order asap!

the only one of those that i'd consider worth it is maybe Ski. None of the rest are noteworthy.

edit: this is what I wrote about regular Ski last time I had it:

I really hated Cherry Ski back in June, but this stuff is outstanding. This is the only soda from Excel Bottling that I've actually enjoyed. Not too tart, not too sweet, with real citrus flavors. A fantastic citrus soda, and it gets an A- only because it's not quite as fruit-heavy as Orangina or Pellegrino Aranciata.

edit 2: i should say, i haven't had everything in that list, but i think they're mostly from the excel bottling corp/double cola in downstate IL, and almost nothing I've had there, aside from OG Ski, has been at all decent.

I agree; Ski is not to be missed. In the SodaTotaller thread, I posted this line: Ski: You complete me. This reminds me of 50/50, but with real lemon pulp floating around in a very non-pretentious green bottle. It's almost good for you!

FlyCoupon has a deal today for America's Market, $5 for $10.
http://www.flycoupon.com/deals/-5-for-1 ... 05-12.html

I just got this notice, and I thought those who are fans of bottled beverages might be interested.

From America's Market:
We're Having a Soda Sale/Pop Promotion! (depending what part of the country you are from)

This is a semi-annual sale in which all soda/pop will be marked down 20%. That includes everything from a single bottle to a case of soda/pop.

The promotion runs through October 5th.

America's Market 9 Huntington Lane, Wheeling (847)850-2563

Just got an email that they'll be closing their physical store as of March 3, but will continue to operate a web presence, including delivery of sodas. They may return to a physical presence in 2014.