Do You Know These Regional Midwestern Pops?

By: Allison Lips
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know These Regional Midwestern Pops?
Image: eclipse_images/E+/Getty Images

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. 

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! 

Blueberry Breese
EnjoyIllinois
Which Midwestern favorite comes from Breese, Illinois?
Blueberry Breese
Green River Original
Capt'n Eli's Blueberry Pop
Dr. Brown’s Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Blueberry Breese was created in 1936. The pop's tagline is "get swept away."

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Dang! That's Good Butterscotch Root Beer 2
Specialty Sodas
This Wisconsin pop may remind you of a candy that is popular with grandparents. What's it called?
Berghoff Black Cherry
Jolly Good Sour Pow'r
Dang! That's Good Butterscotch Root Beer
Goose Island Vanilla Cream Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Baumeister Root Beer
Baumeister Sodas
What brand of root beer was created by Heine Baumeister?
Dr. Brown’s Root Beer
III Dachshunds Old Fashioned Root Beer
Baumeister Root Beer
Filbert's Old Time Draft Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Heine Baumeister created Baumeister Root Beer in 1907. It can be found in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area.

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lll Dachshunds Old Fashioned Root Beer
yoshionthego
Which pop was founded by a proud dog owner?
Caruso's Legacy Gourmet Black Cherry Soda
Capone Family Secret Black Cherry
Jolly Good Sour Pow'r
III Dachshunds Old Fashioned Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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WBC Goose Island Vanilla Cream Soda
LaurenTandTaylorC
Although the name of this pop sounds like it's from an exotic location, you will find it in Chicago. What's it called?
WBC Goose Island Vanilla Cream Soda
Berghoff Black Cherry
Lost Trail Root Beer
Blueberry Breese
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Carusos Blood Orange
Sonyabeonit
Can you name the soda pop made from old Italian family recipes?
Baumeister Root Beer
Caruso's Blood Orange
Berghoff Black Cherry
Flannel Fizz Rhubarb Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Berghoff Rootbeer
TasteTime
Which Chicago pop has been made for over 75 years?
Capt'n Eli's Blueberry Pop
Dad's Root Beer
Berghoff Root Beer
Vernors Ginger Ale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Capone Family Secret Strawberry Soda
Soda Hunter
What's the name of this sweet pop from Chicago?
Green River Original
Rummy Grapefruit Soda
Capone Family Secret Strawberry Soda
Sioux City Sarsaparilla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Wiki Commons by Computer13137
Which soda is a favorite of Juggalos?
Dream Lode Golden Ginger Ale
Lost Trail Root Beer
Green River Original
Faygo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Goody Yellow Pop
Sean Misa
While it may not taste like it, this pop is pineapple and lemon. What is it?
Tree Fort Root Beer
Goody Yellow Pop
Dr. Enuf – The Original Energy Booster
Black Bear Very Berry Blue Raspberry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
mauri213
Which Midwestern pop is similar to Sprite?
Green River Original
Dad's Root Beer
Izze Sparkling Pomegranate
Flathead Lake Huckleberry Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Green River Original was created in Chicago, Illinois. Since 1919, the pop has been caffeine free.

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Sun Drop
Dr. Pepper/SevenUp Inc.
This pop is highly caffeinated. What's it called?
Ski
Sun Drop
Sioux City Sarsaparilla
Jackson Hole Huckleberry Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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 High Mountain Huckleberry Soda
Steven Remington
Which pop is made in Wyoming?
Jackson Hole High Mountain Huckleberry Soda
Flannel Fizz Rhubarb Soda
Caruso's Legacy Gourmet Black Cherry Soda
Jolly Good Sour Pow'r
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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South Fork Strawberry rhubarb
Roger Tomlin
Seeking to "honor the pioneer spirit of the old west," what's this pop called?"
Dream Lode Golden Ginger Ale
Fitz's Cardinal Cream
South Fork Strawberry Rhubarb
Tom Tucker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Dr. Enuf The Original Energy Booster
Templeton Films
Which pop is manufactured by a company founded in 1949?
Vernors Ginger Ale
lll Dachshunds Old Fashioned Root Beer
Dr. Enuf - The Original Energy Booster
Filbert's Old Time Draft Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Movoto Originals
Can you name this Wisconsin pop?
Frostop Root Beer
Sprecher Cream Soda
Faygo
Sun Tang Red Cream Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Dad's Root Beer
Wiki Commons by Alheding
Which pop was developed by Barney Berns and Ely Klapman?
Tree Fort Root Beer
Sioux City Sarsaparilla
Flannel Fizz Rhubarb Soda
Dad's Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Sioux City Sarsparilla
Sean Misa
Can you name this pop made by White Rock Beverages?
Dr. Enuf - The Original Energy Booster
Tree Fort Root Beer
Sioux City Sarsaparilla
Polly's Pop
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Vernors Ginger soda
Vernors
Which soda was created by a Detroit pharmacist?
Lost Trail Root Beer
Blueberry Breese
Vernors Ginger Ale
Dad's Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Dr. Pepper Snapple Group currently distributes Vernors. The ginger ale was created by James Vernor in 1866.

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Tree Fort Root beer
WCCO - CBS Minnesota
This all natural pop is primarily found in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. What's it called?
Green River Original
Dr. Wells
Buddy's Strawberry Soda
Tree Fort Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Wiki Commons by Scoty6776
Can you name this pop that's infused with 22 flavors?
Izze Sparkling Pomegranate
Dr. Wells
Frostop Root Beer
Jolly Good Sour Pow'r
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Frostop Root Beer was created in 1926. It is available at Frostop Drive-Ins.

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Jolly Good Sour pow'r
John Egan
Which soda's tagline is "When a long hot day wears you down, [soda] revives you like a cool breeze"?
Jolly Good Sour Pow'r
Fitz's Cardinal Cream
Capone Family Secret Black Cherry
Lost Trail Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Wiki Commons by Ruarkr.2008
What is the name of this citrus pop, made with real orange and lemon juices?
South Fork Strawberry Rhubarb
Ski
Flannel Fizz Rhubarb Soda
Dream Lode Golden Ginger Ale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Better Kansas City KCTV5
Which soda's headquarters is located in Independence, Missouri?
Polly's Pop
Filbert's Old Time Draft Root Beer
Buddy's Strawberry Soda
Capone Family Secret Black Cherry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Filbert's Old Time Draft Root Beer
ChicagoRevealed
Can you name this root beer that was created during Prohibition?
Baumeister Root Beer
Filbert's Old Time Draft Root Beer
Tree Fort Root Beer
III Dachshunds Old Fashioned Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1926, Charlie Filbert began making homemade root beer. The pop calls Chicago, Illinois, home.

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Izze Sparkling Pomegranate
Canaydemedian
This drink is 70 percent fruit juice and "a splash" of sparkling water. What's this pop called?
Izze Sparkling Pomegranate
Fitz's Cardinal Cream
Lost Trail Root Beer
Flathead Lake Huckleberry Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2002, Todd Woloson and Greg Stroh founded Izze in Colorado. Four years later, PepsiCo bought the company.

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Lost Trail Root Beer
Food Network
Which pop is made by Louisburg Cider Mill?
Ski
Dream Lode Golden Ginger Ale
Faygo
Lost Trail Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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 Cardinal Cream
GmaGpaAdventures
This pop's taste has been described as a mixture of cinnamon, bubble gum and almond. Can you pick it?
Fitz's Cardinal Cream
Ale-8-One
Red Ribbon
Black Bear Very Berry Blue Raspberry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Flathead Lake Huckleberry Soda
Totally Not Nigel!
Which soda company claims that it "offers the discerning soda drinker a rousing taste experience"?
Flathead Lake
Ski
Faygo
Jic Jac
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Natrona Bottling
This soda pop is bottled by Natrona Bottling Company. What's it called?
Red Ribbon
Ale-8-One
The Pop Shoppe
Faygo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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
Wiki Commons by Hunter00047
Which soda is made from a recipe that has been passed down through four generations?
Buddy's Strawberry Soda
Red Ribbon
Ale-8-One
The Pop Shoppe
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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 Shoppe
Soda Hunter
Can you name this pop, which has its origins in London, Ontario?
WBC Goose Island Vanilla Cream Soda
Vernors Ginger Ale
The Pop Shoppe
Caruso's Legacy Gourmet Black Cherry Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Big red
Wiki Commons by Dennis Brown at English Wikipedia
Which soda has been "deliciously different since 1937"?
Baumeister Root Beer
Big Red
Flannel Fizz Rhubarb Soda
Jic Jac Raspberry Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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 Blue Raspberry
Sean Misa
Can you pick the brand that was first bottled in the 1950s?
Canfield's 50/50
Dr. Wells
Ski
Jic Jac Raspberry Soda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Rummy Grapefruit soda
Andy cooks food
Which pop is described by its bottler as a "bold grapefruit soft drink that delivers in citrus, but not overly bitter"?
Tom Tucker
Black Bear Very Berry Blue Raspberry
Rummy Grapefruit Soda
Frostop Root Beer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Canfield's 50:50
Wiki Commons by Doughbgpa
What is this grapefruit and lime flavored pop?
Canfield's 50/50
Ski
Sioux City Sarsaparilla
Faygo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Tom Tucker
gopher101media
Which brand makes a mint ginger ale?
Jic Jac
Buddy's
Green River
Tom Tucker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Dr. Wells
Wiki Commons by Kyle Rickenbaugh
Similar to Dr. Pepper, what is this pop called?
Red Ribbon
Dr. Wells
Dream Lode Golden Ginger Ale
Vernors Ginger Ale
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1935, Dr. Wells was created. It is currently owned by Dad's Root Beer Company.

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