I fell in love with Blenheim while attending Appalachain State, now that I'm back above the Mason Dixon Line it's impossible to find! When in NC you can usually find it at MAST General Stores. (I heard that Zingerman's sold it up here - but I no longer see it onthe website...) Guess I'll have to order direct!
Posted by Saunaman (2194) on 2/13/2008 12:02:31 PM
The Charles Bronson of Ginger Drinks
First of all, any beverage like this, in a no-frills, GLASS bottle, that's MADE IN THE USA, and has been around for 100+ years gets five stars in my book; unless, of course, it tastes completely terrible.
I've been drinking ginger "brews" for about ten years now. I like to enjoy them after using sauna, as the body gets dehydrated (due to sweating) and they seem to provide a crisp, light, and dynamic drink to enjoy to help replenish the lost fluids.
For this tasting exercise, I used a sauna with an average temperature of 95C (approximately 200F) for 30 minutes on the top bench. Sauna tends to amplify olfactory and taste reception, so I have found that such conditions give a more pure value of what was experienced in a drink.
Before entering sauna, I brushed my teeth and tongue with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
After exiting sauna, I put the already-refrigerated "Hot" Blenheim (with the pinkish-red cap) in the freezer for approximately five minutes, enjoying some time of relaxation and "cooling down" after sauna. This way it was extra-cold! Just the way I love my drinks.
I can admit that I was apprehensive about trying Blenheim's "Hot" after reading about how it burns and is stronger than vodka. So I was very careful to barely sip it and barely smell the flavor after opening it.
Needless to say, the "burn" wasn't a problem and I downed the entire contents in about three gulps.
The taste, as it enters the mouth and goes down the pipe is nirvanic. It has a slight burn but nothing too intense, in my opinion. I found myself craving this taste soon after it had exited my mouth into my stomach.
Great stuff!
I found that after drinking a bottle that my stomach felt quite full, as if I had eaten a big and heavy meal. This disappeared after about 30 minutes.
I also experienced a relatively light "high" feeling for the next hour after consuming this fine "ale." Great drinks (yes, even non-alcoholic) will have this affect after sauna.
I had no adverse affects and felt great for the entire rest of the evening. I retired to bed about two hours after finishing this drink.
The next day, upon waking, I produced some bronchial mucous. I had had a bout of the flu that had ended about seven days prior with small bits of lingering malaise and light cough. I believe this drink worked as an excellent expectorant and helped clear my bronchial tubes! I was very pleased with this. I will use it in the future for such things to see if it has the same effect.
The next day I was filled with energy and life, of which I hadn't experienced in months. Not like I was on speed or anything; like I wasn't bouncing off the walls, but, hey, how can I put it? I just felt GREAT. I attribute this to the Blenheim "Hot."
I understand that early ginger "ales" were used as tonics and this is the first one that I have tasted that seemed to have very positive affects on my system.
I had purchased a 24-pack case and will eagerly consume the rest of them. I imagine I will find myself re-ordering more when I am getting low.
I recommend this drink. It is no frills, no fancy labels or colors to get the kids to pull it off the store shelf; yet it is a real drink and is a pleasure to behold. I would call this the Charles Bronson of ginger ales, as there is no BS with it.
These are my opinions only. I hope you enjoy this wonderful drink, too. I am so happy that such wonderful parts of Americana are still around to enjoy, as they seem to be disappearing at an alarming rate, unfortunately.
I am a ginger ale fan and more often than not am disappointed in the sweet, vaguely ginger flavored brews touted as 'extra strebgth'. well, blenheim's delivers the kick i like! warning: do not drink when driving - has been known to cause uncontrollable sneezing (just don't breathe in while it's near your nose)!
It's not as spicy to me as it is to family, so I don't have to share. (Yea!) This beverage is hard to find, but well worth it. I love it so much, I could drink two at a time. So refreshing!! Truly a treasure.
I first tasted this on a trip to Columbia in 1985. Who would have guessed that ginger ale could taste this rich and good. Still makes me sneeze, but worth it.
I was afraid I would hate the hotness, but I was wrong. It's not an everyday drink for me, but great. The base is clearly just like their other ginger ale, but with added hotness. So hot, I thought it couldn't come just from ginger, surely there must be some kind of chili pepper. I can even feel the hotness in my chest after some sips.. nice.
Tasted this stuff in New Orleans '05. Although this beverage tastes good it contains an ingredient that in my book, doesn't belong in any beverages: sodium benzoate "a preservative".
This so-called preservative interacts with a very common consumer dietary substance: Vitamin C or (ascorbic acid) to form benzene.
Benzene's toxicity is not in dispute. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Benzene is carcinogenic to humans and no safe level of exposure can be recommended." It is directly linked to leukemia and crosses the placenta to the fetus at levels greater than or equal to the amount in the mother's blood.
To steer clear of chemicals in foods and drinks that can mix together to form benzene, consumers should avoid products that contain both ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and either sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate.
Just becuase something "tastes good" doesn't mean it IS GOOD. Between 1995 and 2001, FDA tested 24 samples of diet soda for benzene in its Total Diet Study: Nineteen (79 percent) were contaminated with benzene above the federal tap water standard of 5 parts per billion (ppb). The average benzene level was 19 ppb, nearly four times the tap water standard. The maximum detection was 55 ppb, 11 times the tap water limit. Each test result is from a composite of three individual soda purchases in three different cities that are blended together to make one sample.
I was given a bottle while working in Florida and found it to be superb. After just having a soda the day before that tasted more like water, Blenheim's ginger ale was a breath of fresh air- spicy, hot, with real ginger taste. I look forward to buying more in the future.
If you are looking for a hot drink, here it is. I discovered it about four years ago. It is a hot spicy ginger ale. I bring it to partied to see who can handle the kick. I do suggest it for people who can not handle hot items. It is a great drink
This stuff is awesome. I have tried a ton of ginger ales and ginger beers and this is the hottest. The burn lasts for a long time. This drink is for all ginger ale lovers. The only thing I can possibly see wrong with it's almost perfect taste is that I would like to have a stronger ginger root taste. Other than that, this is the best!
what are they talkin bout. this is the best ginger ale i've ever had. first of all the ginger ale is the best ginger ale ever. secondly the burn afterward is enough to make anyone beg for more.
The Best (only) Ginger Ale I Will Consume. I no longer drink any cola or even beer. The Hot Ginger Ale from Blenheim is addictive. I Have tasted many drinks in my 70 years but none excite the taste buds like Blenheim Hot Ginger Ale.
Incredibly tasty, with an what I can only describe as an "after-tang" that delights. Powerful aroma, with a tingling sensation that lasts even after you've sipped.
Blenheim isn't just a soft drink, it's an experience... I once drove two hours for four bottles one time when I was halfway across the state watching my brother graduate from basic training. Every time in remotely in the area, I stop by Lake View or Dillion, SC for as much Blenheim as they carry.
I found this stuff about a year ago in LA, and have drank cases of it since. The first few go down pretty harsh, but memorable and enjoyable. After a six pack it becomes spice and nice.
If you can get heartburn easily, don't drink this,
