Sweet Savory South- Blenheim Ginger Ale

Once at the Virginia State Fair, I bought a hot dog that was topped with pulled pork BBQ and slaw.  After I paid, the vendor predicted, "you will remember two days in your life, the day you got married and the day you ate this hot dog".  Thankfully, I remember more than just those two days but he was right as far as that meal leaving a mark on my memory.  It seems life's unexpected experiences leave memories that are often as vivid as the day you lived them.  One of the best examples I have of this is the day I had my first Blenheim Ginger Ale.

It was about 18 years ago, and my wife and I had just moved into a new neighborhood.  When I visited the local bakery for the first time, I noticed in their drink cooler a brand of ginger ale that I had never seen before.  After I paid and uncapped it, I began the walk home and took the first long pull off the bottle.  Now those that know Blenheim will understand the error that I committed with that first taste.  The flavor was so intense that I actually had a coughing fit and the soda sought its escape via my nose.   I soon learned that Blenheim Ginger Ale is a sipping soda, not one to be slugged down like your typical national brands.

The Blenheim story traces back to the 1800's and is now currently being bottled on the grounds of the South of the Border complex in South Carolina.  Comparing Blenheim to other ginger ales simply isn't fair, nor useful.  It's kind of like comparing good moonshine liquor to 80 proof economy bourbon.  When you take your first taste you experience what I call the "Blenheim Burn".  The natural ginger content is so high that it not only gives your mouth a jolt but it also opens your sinus passages.   However once you begin to drink it,  no other ginger ale or soda can compare.  You just have to try it to understand.

Blenheim comes in three varieties and only in six pack bottles:

- Old #3 HOT with the Red Cap
- #5 Not as HOT with the Gold Cap
- #9 Diet with the White Cap

There are a few personal tips about Blenheim that I would like to share.

- Personally, my preference is #3 HOT but if you have never tried it before I would recommend the #5 Not as Hot to start.
- Don't serve Blenheim to people that do not know they are being served something that has a flavor with so much heat.  Most folks don't expect a soda to have a burn to it as you drink it.
-Don't serve it to children.  One of my boys got into a bottle of it when he was about 5 years old and didn't react well at all.
- Don't be surprised if you see flecks in the bottle before you open it.  That's the natural flavorings that will sometimes settle to the bottom of the bottle.
- This isn't a big corporate brand, so there will be some variation in packaging.  Often, bottles in the same six pack will be filled to slightly different levels before capping.

Now, how do you buy it?  Well it isn't the easiest brand to find.  In Virginia, there are only about 10 stores in the entire state that stock it.  The further south you go, the more available it becomes but it can still be a bit of a hunt.   The best way to track down a retailer is through the Blenheim website store locator.  Check it out:

www.blenheimgingerale.com

What is the best way to enjoy Blenheim?  This is my personal favorite:

OLD #3 HOT with Wild Turkey 101 and Virginia Peanuts

There is a tag line that a beer company uses that implores people to enjoy their product responsibly.  I would suggest you do the same with Blenheim.  In my opinion, it is the best ginger ale on the market...bar none.  However, like most good things you just can't rush your enjoyment of it.  As the summer starts its downward slope, find yourself a retailer where you can try Blenheim.  I can almost guarantee you will remember that first taste just as I remember mine.