About This Quiz
Since this is a quiz about the Midwest, we're going to call soda by the commonly used Midwestern name – "pop." "Soda" is predominately used in the Northeast and California. In the South, there is a tendency to say "coke" for any carbonated beverage.
While you can get Coca-Cola, Pepsi and other products distributed by both companies all over the country and the world, there are hundreds of regional pops that don't get much attention outside of their area. There are a few pops that don't have huge distribution but have still made a name for themselves. Cheerwine has a following outside of North Carolina, and Juggalos the world over have a taste for Faygo, even if they don't live in the Detroit area. If you're from the Midwest, you may find a few local favorites on this list or discover that a nearby state has a pop you'd love to try. If you're from another part of the country, you may want to stop by a local establishment and order one of these pops the next time you're in the area or find a website that will ship a case to you.Â
Have you tasted a lot of sodas from different parts of the country, or are you interested in unique sodas? Take this quiz to find out how much you know about Midwestern pops!Â
Blueberry Breese was created in 1936. The pop's tagline is "get swept away."
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In 1964, Dang! That's Good was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to root beer, the company also makes Dang! That’s Good Italian Cherry Soda, which tastes like maraschino cherries.
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Heine Baumeister created Baumeister Root Beer in 1907. It can be found in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area.
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III Dachshunds also makes alcoholic beers, which continue the dachshund theme. The company sells Ankle Biter Ale and Howling Hounds Honey Wheat. It's only other non-alcoholic product is Otto's Classic Orange Cream.
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In 1988, Goose Island Brewery was founded. The brewery used to license its name to the soda company. When the license expired, the sodas were rebranded as WBC.
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Caruso's Blood Orange Italian Soda is part of the WBC brand. The company has been around since 1961 and makes all its sodas with cane sugar and from family recipes.
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This root beer was created in 1887 by Herman Berghoff and his three brothers. In the 1920s, Herman Joseph Berghoff couldn't brew his beer because of Prohibition. Instead of going out of business, he decided to shift to making sodas.
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While Al and Frank Capone had nothing to do with this soda, the soda's origin story does have to do with the brothers. The story goes that police raided Frank Capone's warehouses 137 times, but all police ever found was soda.
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Faygo was created in 1907. It was based on Ben and Perry Feigenson's cake frosting recipes. Juggalos, by the way, are fans of the Insane Clown Posse.
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First created in Nebraska in the 1920s, the Goody Yellow Pop is a super sweet retro soda. Willow Springs Distillery began making sodas as an alternative to alcohol during Prohibition.
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Green River Original was created in Chicago, Illinois. Since 1919, the pop has been caffeine free.
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First made in 1930, Sun Drop started in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2011, Dr. Pepper took over the soda and re-branded it with a "Drop it like it's hot" viral commercial.
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Jackson Hole Soda only makes caffeine-free flavors. Besides High Mountain Huckleberry, the company makes Buckin' Rootbeer, Grand Teton Grape, Jackson Ginger and more.
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Jackson Hole Soda also makes Snake River Sarsparilla and Cowboy Cream Soda. The company proudly bottles and brews everything in the United States.
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Chicago chemist Bill Swartz created Dr. Enuf because his co-workers complained about the lack of vitamins in food products. He eventually created a carbonated vitamin drink that became popular.
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Sprecher Cream Soda is flavored with vanilla and local Wisconsin honey. The pop is made by Sprecher Brewing Company, which was founded in 1985.
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On February 14, 1939, Dad's Root Beer received its first trademark. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Coca-Cola distributed Dad's Root Beer.
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In 1987, the Sioux City brand was created. The soda was mentioned in "The Big Lebowski" by Sam Elliott's character, the Stranger.
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The Dr. Pepper Snapple Group currently distributes Vernors. The ginger ale was created by James Vernor in 1866.
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Tree Fort is found mostly in Hy-Vee stores across the Midwest. The brand also makes Juicy Orange, Classic Cola and Ginger Ale.
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Frostop Root Beer was created in 1926. It is available at Frostop Drive-Ins.
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Jolly Good is based in Random Lake, Wisconsin. The company also makes Fruit Punch, Cherry, Grape, Orange, Cream Soda, Blue Raspberry and Pina Colada pops.
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Ski originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1956. However, the soda is available throughout the Midwest, Southeast, California and Alaska.
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Polly's Pop is available in Missouri and Kansas. The company makes fruit flavored sodas, Root Beer, Ginger Beer and Glazed Donut pops.
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In 1926, Charlie Filbert began making homemade root beer. The pop calls Chicago, Illinois, home.
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In 2002, Todd Woloson and Greg Stroh founded Izze in Colorado. Four years later, PepsiCo bought the company.
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The Louisburg Cider Mill, which produces Lost Trail Root Beer, was founded in 1977. The company is headquartered in Louisburg, Kansas.
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Fitz's was founded in 1993 in University City, Missouri. The company's root beer recipe, which pre-dates the company, was created in 1947.
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The Flathead Lake Gourmet Soda company has seven flavors. They are Wild White Grape, Granny Apple, Strawberry Orange, Blueberry Pomegranate, Sour Cherry, Huckleberry and Black Raspberry.
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Red Ribbon calls the Pittsburgh area home. The brand is available in Vanilla Cream, Grape, Almond, Birch Beer, Cherry, Root Beer and Pennsylvania Punch.
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Ale-8-One is pronounced as "A Late One." In the 1900s, the first pop recipe was created by G.L. Wainscott.
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The Pop Shop makes eight flavors. They are Black Cherry, Lime Ricky, Root Beer, Cream Soda, Grape, Pineapple, Cola and Orange.
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In 1937, Grover Thomsen created Big Red. While the soda was founded in Texas, it is available in a number of states.
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Jic Jac was started in St. Louis, Missouri. The company makes Black Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Grape and Lemon Lime pops.
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Excel Bottling, which produces Rummy Grapefruit Soda, was started with reward money. In 1936, Edward "Lefty' Meier was rewarded for catching a bank robber.
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The A.J. Canfield Company created Canfield's 50/50. In 1924, the company was founded in Chicago, Illinois. Keurig Dr. Pepper now manufactures the brand.
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Sidney Harris founded the Tom Tucker Beverage Company with his mother. The company's first two beverages were Tom Tucker's Mint Ginger Ale and Champayno, which was similar to nonalcoholic champagne.
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In 1935, Dr. Wells was created. It is currently owned by Dad's Root Beer Company.
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