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where is vernors ginger ale made

by Erika Flatley III Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

The drink is still bottled in Michigan, in Holland, and other cities nationwide. But while Vernors is distributed in several states, by far, its most loyal — and passionate — customers are in Michigan.Jun 5, 2016

Full Answer

Does Vernors have real ginger in it?

Vernors, like many Ginger Ale Sodas and products, do not have real ginger in them. What are the ingredients in Diet Vernors? Carbonated Water, Aspartame, Citric Acid, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Potassium Citrate.

Why is Vernors so expensive?

WHY IS the vernors on the website so expensive...considering that a 2liter is only at the MOST 2.00$ at a store..why why why please help the poor souls afford this yummmmy gingerale - living in mi Going to find some Vernors right now in honor of my Pontiac born Dad and Flint born Mom.

What states can you buy Vernors?

Vernors is the oldest surviving ginger ale sold in the United States, although there were a number of brands of ginger ale and ginger beer sold prior to 1880. Vernor opened a drugstore of his own in Detroit, Michigan, on Woodward Avenue, on the southwest corner of Clifford Street and sold his ginger soda at its soda fountain.

Why is Vernors sold out?

The Canadian supply of Vernors ginger ale fizzled out a year ago due to the pandemic, but fans of the century-and-a-half-old drink are now bubbling over its apparent return. Michele Scott spotted the ginger ale at a Metro grocery store in Windsor, Ont., late last week and grabbed three cases.

Where is the Vernors factory?

4501 Woodward Ave., Detroit, Mich.

Who makes Vernors now?

Purchased by Cadbury-Schweppes in 1993, today Vernors is part of Dr. Pepper Snapple, one of the nation's largest beverage producers.

Is Vernors made in Canada?

In Canada, Vernors is made by Keurig Dr. Pepper and it's bottled in Mississauga, Ont. As has been the case with some other niche food products during the pandemic, the manufacturers opted to halt production in order to ensure its more popular products were still available.

Where did Vernors ginger ale originate?

DetroitVernors Ginger-ale, a Detroit Classic! First served to the public in 1866 by Detroit Pharmacist James Vernor, Vernors is America's oldest surviving soda and a Michigan favorite. A perfect way to top off our amazing food with the best Ginger-ale.

What states is Vernors ginger ale sold in?

The drink is still bottled in Michigan, in Holland, and other cities nationwide. But while Vernors is distributed in several states, by far, its most loyal — and passionate — customers are in Michigan.

Who makes Vernors ginger ale in Canada?

Keurig Dr. PepperIn Canada, Vernors is made by Keurig Dr. Pepper and is bottled in Mississauga, Ont. As has been the case with some other niche food products during the COVID-19 pandemic, the manufacturers opted to halt production last year to ensure its more popular products were still available.

Who owns Vernors ginger ale?

Dr. Pepper Snapple GroupIn 1959, the ginger ale's name lost its apostrophe and became simply “Vernors.” The Vernor family sold the company to an investment group in 1966; it was later owned by American Consumer Products, United Brands, A&W Beverages and Cadbury Schwepps. Today, Vernors is owned by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group.

Why does Vernors taste different?

As legend has it, Vernors' one-of-a-kind taste was somewhat accidental. James Vernor is said to have left a ginger ale he was working on in an oak cask when he was called to war for four years. When he returned, voila!

Is Vernors sold in Florida?

Ohio and Illinois were the next-highest-selling states; the drink was also very popular in Florida, which has large numbers of retired or relocated former Michigan residents. In 2015, Dr Pepper Snapple said that it sold more than 7 million cases of Vernors, about 1% of the company's total sales volume.

Is there actual ginger in Vernors?

Vernor used real ginger in his original recipe, but the ingredients list on the current drink only includes natural flavors. On top of that, Vernors is aged in oak barrels for three years instead of four.

What is the oldest soft drink in the United States?

DR PEPPER IS THE OLDEST MAJOR SOFT DRINK IN AMERICA. Originally made in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, the drink's unique flavor was a hit when it was first sold in 1885.

What is the oldest soda brand in the world?

Although several brands claim that their soda is older, Schweppes is widely considered the oldest soda in the world. The company's founder, Johann Jacob Schweppe was the first person to manufacture and sell carbonated mineral water.

History of Vernors

According to the Detroit Historical Society, Vernors started out as Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Created by James Vernor, the drink was first served to people in 1866, making it the oldest ginger pop in the United States.

Vernors Flavor Profile & Formula

Vernors ginger ale has a golden color, which comes from caramel, and the robust flavor is similar to ginger beer. It was common to mix Vernors with other drinks before Prohibition. Since then, dry pale ginger ale (like Canada Dry) has become more popular for mixing drinks.

Where to Buy Vernors Ginger Ale

When Dr Pepper Snapple Group separated from Cadbury-Schweppes in 2008 and took Vernors with it, the brand was able to expand beyond the Midwest.

Vernors Collectibles & Memorabilia

Love for Vernors among Michiganders is so strong that some of them are obsessed with collecting memorabilia. The Vernor’s Ginger Ale Collector’s Club has about 70 members, and founder Keith Wunderlich spent 35 years creating a Vernors museum in his basement with more than 1,000 items.

Differing origin stories

James Vernor was a pharmacist who wanted to create tonics to soothe digestion and stomach issues. He spent time experimenting with spices and vanilla and using ginger as a calming agent in his effort to make a medicinal tonic (via the Detroit Historical Society ).

James Vernor was more than a pharmacist

Today, James Vernor may be the most known for his "Deliciously Different" Ginger Ale and for opening a soda plant in Detroit so that his soda could be made on a bigger scale while keeping it local (via the Detroit Historical Society ). But what most don't know is just how active he was in the local politics of Detroit.

Vernors Ginger Ale is part of Michigan identity and tradition

Vernors is a soft drink that brings up a lot of positive memories for anyone who grew up in Detroit or throughout Michigan, regardless of what decade it is.

Vernors Ginger Ale can be used in cooking

Like many drinks that may be rooted in an area, Vernors Ginger Ale isn't just for drinking. Aretha Franklin, known as the Queen of Soul, helped give Vernors publicity when she shared a recipe on national TV with hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.

Vernors is now owned by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group

The Vernor family maintained the company for around 100 years before choosing to sell it in 1966 to an investment group (via the Detroit Historical Society ). The company had remained privately owned until then. Vernors has been owned by several different multinational corporations, including American Consumer Products and United Brands.

When Did Vernors Stop Using Real Ginger?

The original brewing process of Vernors when the company first started selling their famous ginger ale, was to age the product for four years in oak barrels.

Which Ginger Ale is Made With Real Ginger?

There are actually many products on the market that state that they are made with real ginger.

Is Canada Dry Ginger Ale Made with Real Ginger?

Canada Dry is one of the many ginger ales that professes to include real ginger but will not state how much.

What Medicinal Properties Does Ginger Have?

Nearly everyone’s mother has encouraged them to drink ginger ale at one time or another to help soothe an upset stomach or help with energy after an illness.

Can Ginger Ale Help an Upset Stomach?

If your mother always told you to drink ginger ale for your upset stomach, you might be wondering if it ever actually did anything to help you to feel better or if you just felt better because you thought that it was helping.

Ginger Ale is a Delicious Drink but Not a Powerful Medicine

Contrary to popular belief that has been passed down through families over the years, most ginger ale brands are not going to impart enough ginger to help you actually improve your health.

Canadian production of Windsor favourite remains on pause amid COVID-19 pandemic

Kayla Laird of London, Ont., describes herself as "Vernors obsessed." (Courtesy Kayla Laird)

Vanishing Vernors

Vernors dates back to the 19th century. According to the company, pharmacist James Vernor put his "secret mixture" in an oak cask before he was called off to the Civil War in 1862.

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Overview

History

Vernors is the oldest surviving ginger ale, according to the company it was first served to the public in 1866 in the United States.
Vernor opened a drugstore of his own in Detroit, Michigan, on Woodward Avenue, on the southwest corner of Clifford Street and sold his ginger soda at its soda fountain. Initially, Vernors was only sold via soda fountain franchises. In 1896, …

Characteristics

Vernors is a sweet “golden” ginger ale that derives its color, like other commercial, industrially produced ginger ales, from caramel, and has a robust, vanilla-heavy flavor. The Vernors style was common before Prohibition, during which "dry" pale, less sweet ginger ale (typified by Canada Dry Ginger Ale) became popular as a drink mixer.
Vernors is highly carbonated.

Distribution

For most of its history, Vernors was a regional product. Initially Vernor sold franchises throughout Michigan and in major regional cities; the product was also available in Ontario, Canada.
Vernors was not mass distributed nationally for many years; by 1997, the brand's distribution had expanded to a 33-state area. In 1997, even after expansion, Michigan accounted for 80% of Vernors sales. Ohio and Illinois were the next-highest-selling states; the drink was also very pop…

Promotions

A number of slogans have been associated with Vernors over the years. Advertising in the early 1900s used the slogan "Detroit's Drink". According to its trademark application, it began using the slogan "Deliciously Different" in 1921. The labels formerly read "Aged 4 years in wood", which was changed some years ago to "Flavor aged in oak barrels", again in 1996 to "Barrel Aged, Bold Taste" and currently notes "Barrel Aged 3 Years • Bold Taste". The apostrophe in the name "Vernor's" wa…

Use

Some people drink Vernors hot as a remedy for stomach ache. Others, such as some Detroit natives, add it to impart a sweet and spicy flavor to dishes. Soul singer Aretha Franklin became famous in the city for demonstrating a recipe, traditionally at her church, for Christmas ham with a glaze made with the soft drink; Vernors has also been used in a glaze for salmon and in a batter for onion rings.

See also

• Moxie
• List of regional beverages of the United States

External links

• Vernors page from Keurig Dr Pepper web site
• Snack foods and pop, Detroit style
• Vernor's Collectors Club
• A Tasty Part of Flint History—former Vernor's outlet in Flint, MI, now Halo Burger.

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