Results of Workplace Grape Soda Challenge

[treetoptom]

The results are in on the workplace Grape Soda Challenge. Fourteen of us sampled 9 different sodas in Round 1, and eleven of us sampled 10 more the next day. Based on the number of ballots that the sodas appeared on and their highest ranking (one point for appearing on the ballot and an additional point for each #1 ranking), there was a tie between Welch’s and Grape Nehi in Round 1, while Goya was the clear winner in Round 2:

ROUND 1

LIKED BEST:

Brand (No. of top 3 ballots; #1 rankings; No. of points; Highest rank)

Welch’s (11; 6; 17; 1)
Grape Nehi (11; 6; 17; 1)
Salvavidas Uva (5; -; 5; 2)
NuGrape (3; 1; 4; 1)
Stewart’s (3; 1; 4; 1)
Kirkland (4; -; 4; 2)
Frostie (2; -; 2; 2)
Fanta (2; -; 2; 3)
Rock Creek (1; -; 1; 3)

LIKED LEAST

Brand (No. of bottom 3 ballots; #9 rankings; No. of points; Lowest rank)

Fanta (10; 3; 13; 9)
Frostie (8; 4; 12; 9)
Rock Creek (8; 2; 10; 9)
Kirkland (5; 3; 8; 9)
Salvavidas Uva (4; -; 4; 8)
Stewart’s (2; 1; 3; 9)
NuGrape (3; -; 3; 8)
Grape Nehi (1; 1; 2; 9)
Welch’s (1; -; 1; 7)

ROUND 2

LIKED BEST:

Brand (No. of top 3 ballots; #1 rankings; No. of points; Highest rank)

Goya (10; 6; 16; 1)
Uva-Va (5; 2; 7; 1)
Tropicana Twister (6; -; 6; 3)
Grape Crush (3; 1; 4; 1)
Boylan Grape (3; 1; 4; 1)
Goose Island (2; -; 3; 1)
Jolly Rancher (2; -; 2; 2)
Jones M.F. Grape (1; -; 1; 3)
Shasta (1; -; 1; 3)

LIKED LEAST

Brand (No. of bottom 3 ballots; #10 rankings; No. of points; Lowest rank)

Grapette (11; 9; 20; 10)
Boylan Grape (4; 1; 5; 10)
Jones M.F. Grape (5; -; 5; 9)
Jolly Rancher (4; -; 4; 9)
Goose Island (2; 1; 3; 10)
Uva-Va (3; -; 3; 9)
Tropicana Twister (2; -; 2; 9)
Grape Crush (1; -; 1; 8)
Shasta (1; -; 1; 8)

That set up a three-way blind taste test between Goya, Welch’s and Grape Nehi. The final tally:

Welch’s (6)
Goya (5)
Grape Nehi (0)

Welch’s gets the nod from the workplace soda crew by the narrowest of margins. Grapette was so inferior to all others it was staggering. If that is the “original formula” that was resurrected by Sam Walton, I can understand why it died out. Sam should’ve left well enough alone.

[Mr Zabe]

Good job!!!
I have always felt that Welch's Grape was one of the best Big Three Grape soda pops. smile.gif

Back in the 70's Nehi Grape was outstanding now a days it's not even drinkable (IMO).

[fusion]

You really have to have longneck West Jefferson Nehi Grape, Zabe. Totally different taste from the bottle/can stuff.

[Mr Zabe]

I would love to try some of the West Jefferson Nehi Grape. One day.....

[DJ HawaiianShirt]

Those are great results, Tom. I'm impressed with how consistent they are.

Once again, Tropicana Twister is up near the top. It's really a fine line of sodas.

What's up next? Anything? I suggest you do one with Citrus sodas (although the selection will be much smaller). I bet Tropicana Twister won't come out on top there. ;)

[Rob The SURGE Drinker]

and if citrus ones are done, there are two, if not three catagories of citrus soda, depending on personal opinon. the grapefruit ones, the "mountian dew type" ones (i couldnt think of the real name, you know what im talking about, i hope), and, some people i know even count lemon-lime sodas in the citrus catagory, because lemons and limes are citrus fruit...

[treetoptom]

We asked what people wanted to do next and cream soda was agreed to. Before that, though, we have a nostalgic/international/regional soda social event for our entire division coming up later this month or ealy next month. There hasn't been a huge outcry for citrus sodas. I love the Squirt/Ting/Wink grapefruit drinks and can tolerate the Sun Drop/Mountain Dew/Vault drinks, but have never much cared for the lemon-lime contingent.

[Mr Zabe]

Ok...gime a yes or a no. LOL
My local grocery store (Jewel) has Goose Island bottles of Rootbeer,Orange and Grape.

Is the Goose Island grape worth the $3.50 sales price to try or will I be disappointed as Welsch's is my gold standard. I'm not in the mood for wasting $3.50. LOL Feedback please.

[ 08-20-2006, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: Mr Zabe ]

[treetoptom]

The Goose Island grape finished towards the bottom of the taste test. The root beer was not very impressive either, IMO. There are better choices for the money.

[ 08-20-2006, 02:47 PM: Message edited by: treetoptom ]

[bluredoasis]

Fusion, to answer you, we did use West Jefferson Nehi Grape, which of course finished 3rd overall in the final (blinded) championship round (Welches and Goya beat it badly-sadly) It was 6 Welches to 5 Goya to 0 Nehi, again sadly I was rooting for Nehi, becuase I had choosen it in round 1 over Welches, but in the final round blinded I found it being 3rd of 3; oh well it happens. But I still think its a good Grape Soda.
also I think it was you who told me where to find it (Cost-Plus) I think was the name of the store in southern Virginia.