Vernors Can Images

Thanks go out to a good friend of mine for pointing out the fact that there's no pictures in here. (D'oh!)


This one is typical of about three cans that I still have in my home - this disappeared about 6 months ago. (Yes, I horde.)

These are the first cans I remember seeing as a kid.

I can't seem to find an image already online of the new style of can. I'll have to take one.

Vernors.com

My last posting brought up a very touchy subject - the Vernors.com web site (http://www.vernors.com/). Going to Vernors.com, one expects to find the corporate brand web site. At a corporate brand site, one should be able to view information about the company, buy unique gifts, read about the brand in the news all under the brand image and color scheme.

I'll admit that Vernors.com does provide some interesting information and does sell Vernors soda, but the site seems to be a shell for something called groceries-express.com. The site also sells Sanders and Better Made - two other local Detroit brands.

There is no consistent brand imaging for Vernors - or the other brands - and no credibility. I wouldn't buy anything from this site, but may try one of their recipes - scanned from original Vernors pamphlets.

This travesty (and for me who works in Internet Marketing, it is a travesty) is not at all surprising considering the new owners of the brand (Cadbury Schweppes - http://www.cadburyschweppes.com/EN/ owns the division A & W Brands that purchased Vernors) doesn't really have great corporate sites either.

What Is Vernors - Exactly?

So, I realized this morning that many visitors to my blog may have absolutely no clue as to what Vernors is, exactly. I thought I would take a moment to enlighten those not yet on the bandwagon.

Officially deemed America's Oldest Softdrink by the Soda Museum (http://www.sodamuseum.bigstep.com/generic.jhtml?pid=7) , the people that make Vernors call it "ginger soda." With a much stronger flavor then traditional ginger ale, but none of the alcohol of a typical ginger beer. This pop is highly carbonated and can cause one to sneeze repeatedly if gulped too rapidly.

The best story I found about the history of the making of Vernors comes from this site: http://www.angelfire.com/tn/traderz/vernors.html

The owner of this site comments that Detroit pharmacist James Vernor concocted a drink of about 19 different ingredients (including ginger and vanilla) within an oak barrel. Fortunately for us, Mr. Vernor was called off to the Civil War and left his drink to age within the barrel. When he returned, he tasted his mixture and was astounded by the deliciousness. He began selling the new drink in his soda fountain (located at 233 Woodward Ave. for those interested in visiting the site). Gradually, popularity for the drink grew and Vernors became available in other parts of Detroit, Michigan, and the Great Lakes area. The Vernor family owned and operated the bottling plant until 1966.

I suggest anyone interested read this history, it's facinating.

Today, the Vernors brand is owned by Dr. Pepper/7-Up Inc. and has limited distribution throughout the country, according to the above mentioned fan.

I have seen other articles citing Schwepps as the owner, but still need to confirm that fact.

Here is where the injustice lies. There are several web sites that sell Vernors, but their prices are exhorbitantly high. Look at this brief comparison:

www.vernors.com - $15.49 per 12 pack
www.beveragesdirect.com/products/vernors/ - $13.99 per 12 pack
www.amazon.com - $12.00 per 4 six packs