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It's only been a few days, and I'm already homesick for Hosmers. That would be Hosmer Mountain Sodas to those of you not from the Quiet Corner of the Nutmeg State.
Before there was a whole movement around locally made, artisanal, "green," gourmet "brews," almost 100 years of Connecticut folks were enjoying this soda maker. I was fortunate to grow up in the town where it is still made. In the staff room of my high school, there was one of those old 1950s era vending machines, where soda was just a quarter. During late night play and musical rehearsals, we would sneak into the lounge and buy a bottle. Cracking the cap and sucking down an ice cold orange soda or an authentic root beer was just the best thing to wet your whistle after a long session.
The soda is the kind of small-town, old-fashioned treat that you really begin to miss, and greatly appreciate, once you can't get it very readily. Other regions of the state and country may have their own brews and blends, but I remain loyal to my Hosmers. Every once in a while I get a serious craving, and although I can purchase something similar by a competitor, for me the best is still Hosmers, especially their Birch beer. YUMMY wintergreeny delight in a bottle. [You can buy cases to be shipped to you too, but since you're shipping glass, the freight costs are prohibitive!]
Last Saturday my visiting out-of-town sister-in-law and I found ourselves on the back road leading to the bottling center, just as my brother happened to call in from Nevada. She had been exposed to the joy of Hosmers thanks to the family, and we decided to taunt him (and please ourselves) by dashing in right before the store closed. We grabbed three apiece:
It's only been a few days, and I'm already homesick for Hosmers. That would be Hosmer Mountain Sodas to those of you not from the Quiet Corner of the Nutmeg State.
Before there was a whole movement around locally made, artisanal, "green," gourmet "brews," almost 100 years of Connecticut folks were enjoying this soda maker. I was fortunate to grow up in the town where it is still made. In the staff room of my high school, there was one of those old 1950s era vending machines, where soda was just a quarter. During late night play and musical rehearsals, we would sneak into the lounge and buy a bottle. Cracking the cap and sucking down an ice cold orange soda or an authentic root beer was just the best thing to wet your whistle after a long session.
The soda is the kind of small-town, old-fashioned treat that you really begin to miss, and greatly appreciate, once you can't get it very readily. Other regions of the state and country may have their own brews and blends, but I remain loyal to my Hosmers. Every once in a while I get a serious craving, and although I can purchase something similar by a competitor, for me the best is still Hosmers, especially their Birch beer. YUMMY wintergreeny delight in a bottle. [You can buy cases to be shipped to you too, but since you're shipping glass, the freight costs are prohibitive!]
Last Saturday my visiting out-of-town sister-in-law and I found ourselves on the back road leading to the bottling center, just as my brother happened to call in from Nevada. She had been exposed to the joy of Hosmers thanks to the family, and we decided to taunt him (and please ourselves) by dashing in right before the store closed. We grabbed three apiece:
Strawberry, Cream Soda, and Peach for Kelli,
and Grape, Root Beer and Birch Beer for me!
(MINE, ALLLLLLL MINE! My Precious!)
Let me tell you, nothing was better that Sunday afternoon, after a long day on the road, than coming back to watch football on the couch with Dad and cracking a couple of "beers!"
UPDATE: I just found this Hartford Courant article about the possible future of Hosmers. They will be 100 in a few years, and could potentially entertain buyers as soon as 2012! Please guys, don't sell out. It's a great little family company that should stay in Romantic Willimantic.
How many days until Thanksgiving break? Um, Hosmer's Customer Service? Can I have a case pre-picked and packed for pick-up when I get off the bus? 'Kay? Thanks!
1 comment:
I want some... bring me some at christmas.... PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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