What beverage is uniquely special to your region? (beers, brandy, restaurant)

[WoodburyWoody]

Originally Posted by dude1984

All I can think of for the Chicago area is Green River. I'm sure there are other things, but nothing is coming to mind.

Green River as in a fountain drink or is it something bottled there? Growing up in Iowa, Green River seemed to be a staple on the menu of the (very) few fountains that I found in the state (granted, just a handful, but I immediately thought of Green River for Iowa when I saw this thread).

As for Minnesota, I can't think of any. We have some of the most awarded mead and cider makers in the nation in the Twin Cities area, but they aren't available for sale (hanging out with the right friends makes all the difference ... like homebrewers, they like to share, too).

[CraigCreek]

Ale 8 One is the classic Kentucky soft drink. Made in Winchester, it is caffeinated and bubbly, has a lemony-gingery flavor, comes in either green glass bottles or cans, either regular or diet, and ex-pat Kentuckians often take cases back with them after return visits to Kentucky.

Good stuff.

Of course, mint juleps are strongly associated with the Kentucky Derby. Collectible Derby glasses are created annually to accommodate them at that occasion, although the classic julep container is a sterling silver julep cup.

If you choose to go for the stereotypes, moonshine is associated with the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, along with the rest of rural Appalachia. Usually but not always found (i.e. sold) in a Mason jar.

[Missy2U]

Originally Posted by WoodburyWoody

Green River as in a fountain drink or is it something bottled there? Growing up in Iowa, Green River seemed to be a staple on the menu of the (very) few fountains that I found in the state (granted, just a handful, but I immediately thought of Green River for Iowa when I saw this thread).

-Snip-

Bottled is how I usually see it. Don't know if they still make the fountain syrup.

[nmnita]

By unique if you mean found mostly in the region, probably not much, but flavored iced tea is very popular here, especially this time of year. it is probably more popular when you get further south, more into the true south. Also I have to say and am not happy about it; crappy wine. All the wines I have had, produced here are sweet: might as well drink ice tea.

[Seafood Junky]

Philly (PA, USA) suburbs we had A-Treat and Franks as local soda companies. Both lasted I think into the 90s. Lots of fun flavors. Sarsaparilla was a favorite as was the red cream soda. We would typically have assorted cans of A-Treat at social functions and parties. It was less expensive I think and you bought it at the beer distributor where you could mix and match cases. They also had big glass bottles which you could also mix cases and bring back the bottles (for deposit).

Franks was a bit more mainstream. They had some great flavors like Tahitian Treat which was a red fizzy fruit punch (like carbonated Hawaiian Punch) and Franks Black Cherry Wishniak.

Also Pennsylvanian Dutch Birch Beer in its traditional yellow label (still available!):

[Delahanty]

The Rochester Soda Water Company's Pee Wee Pop. It was special; it's long gone.

[mrs.cool]

Spotted Cow beer can only be sold in Wisconsin.

[Texas Ag 93]

Originally Posted by cryptic

i have never seen big red soft drink anywhere but in texas, so it could well be unique to the state. doctor pepper, often shortened to 'dp', though definetly not unique to texas, seems to be far more popular here than in other states.

+1

[Cliffie]

Faygo was invented and is still made here in MI. Their standout characteristic is that they are much more carbonated than the average sodee pop. People take a sip and then sneeze convulsively. It's WAY fizzulous.

[roadhogHR]

Xtreme southwest Tennessee/Mississippi/Alabama/Arkansas - sweet tea, Dr. Pepper, Coca~Cola