Personal Collection - Blenheim Ginger Beer
12 FL OZ - Pre-2003
Blenheim is renowned of course for their fine Ginger Ale, but did you know they also made a Ginger Beer? While Blenheim currently produces only 3 varieties of Ginger Ale (#3, #5, and #9 - diet) Blenheim Ginger Beer seems to have still been in production as late as
2002. I can't say with any certainty how different it was from the Ginger Ale, but if the label is any indication, it was probably very similar because the ingredient lists are exactly the same. Heck, even the bottle cap is simply a reused gold Ginger Ale cap. Beyond a short one sentence blurb touting its natural ingredients, the label says nothing of the beverage contained within. What makes this bottle so unique is the fact the bottle has a paper label. Not once have I seen another Blenheim beverage with a paper label. The graphic design too is quite unlike Blenheim's other offerings to date. The classic Blenheim Eagle, while not totally absent, has taken a backseat to make room for the large stylized letters of the words "GINGER BEER" with the letters B-E-E-and R being the largest. The effect comes off looking more akin to a value brand 40oz. Malt Liquor. So why then did Blenheim introduce a carbon copy Ginger Beer alongside their well established classic? Was this Blenheim's attempt at reaching new demographics, by reaching out to frat boys and the homeless? No, instead I think this was Blenheim's attempt at hitting the big time and delivering a product that would appeal to the masses. It would not surprise me in the least to find the flavor of Blenheim Ginger Beer resembling something like Canada Dry. As one last bit of evidence to this theory, according to promotional materials it appears that by 2002, Blenheim's Ginger Beer was sold exclusively in more cost efficient 20oz. plastic bottles (an even greater departure from the tried and true ACL bottles from the company's past). Funny how Blenheim's attempt at turning their brand into a household name is today remembered only in obscure soda blogs.
Blenheim only wishes....
2002. I can't say with any certainty how different it was from the Ginger Ale, but if the label is any indication, it was probably very similar because the ingredient lists are exactly the same. Heck, even the bottle cap is simply a reused gold Ginger Ale cap. Beyond a short one sentence blurb touting its natural ingredients, the label says nothing of the beverage contained within. What makes this bottle so unique is the fact the bottle has a paper label. Not once have I seen another Blenheim beverage with a paper label. The graphic design too is quite unlike Blenheim's other offerings to date. The classic Blenheim Eagle, while not totally absent, has taken a backseat to make room for the large stylized letters of the words "GINGER BEER" with the letters B-E-E-and R being the largest. The effect comes off looking more akin to a value brand 40oz. Malt Liquor. So why then did Blenheim introduce a carbon copy Ginger Beer alongside their well established classic? Was this Blenheim's attempt at reaching new demographics, by reaching out to frat boys and the homeless? No, instead I think this was Blenheim's attempt at hitting the big time and delivering a product that would appeal to the masses. It would not surprise me in the least to find the flavor of Blenheim Ginger Beer resembling something like Canada Dry. As one last bit of evidence to this theory, according to promotional materials it appears that by 2002, Blenheim's Ginger Beer was sold exclusively in more cost efficient 20oz. plastic bottles (an even greater departure from the tried and true ACL bottles from the company's past). Funny how Blenheim's attempt at turning their brand into a household name is today remembered only in obscure soda blogs.
Blenheim only wishes....
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