Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer Review (Soda Tasting #97)
According to the Pipeline Brands website, a man named John G. Martin had purchased a vodka distiller and bought a vodka recipe from the Smirnov family. But it didn’t take off and, during a sales trip, he went to Hollywood and ate at the Cock ‘n Bull restaurant. He talked with the owner, Jack Morgan, and Morgan told him about the ginger beer that he made in house. They put it together and created a cocktail, the Moscow Mule, to help generate interest in the vodka.
A friend of Morgan’s owned a copper factory and had an overflow of copper cups, so that became a trademark of the drink: the copper mug. The restaurant closed in 1987 and, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times back then, Martin was generally credited with making vodka a popular drink, thanks to his contribution of ginger beer to what became a popular cocktail.
Have you had any Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer? Please let me know in the comments.
According to the Pipeline Brands website, a man named John G. Martin had purchased a vodka distiller and bought a vodka recipe from the Smirnov family. But it didn’t take off and, during a sales trip, he went to Hollywood and ate at the Cock ‘n Bull restaurant. He talked with the owner, Jack Morgan, and Morgan told him about the ginger beer that he made in house. They put it together and created a cocktail, the Moscow Mule, to […]
According to the Pipeline Brands website, a man named John G. Martin had purchased a vodka distiller and bought a vodka recipe from the Smirnov family. But it didn’t take off and, during a sales trip, he went to Hollywood and ate at the Cock ‘n Bull restaurant. He talked with the owner, Jack Morgan, and Morgan told him about the ginger beer that he made in house. They put it together and created a cocktail, the Moscow Mule, to help generate interest in the vodka.
A friend of Morgan’s owned a copper factory and had an overflow of copper cups, so that became a trademark of the drink: the copper mug. The restaurant closed in 1987 and, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times back then, Martin was generally credited with making vodka a popular drink, thanks to his contribution of ginger beer to what became a popular cocktail.
Have you had any Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer? Please let me know in the comments.
2 comments on “Cock ‘n Bull Ginger Beer Review (Soda Tasting #97)”
Ginger Beer is NOT Ginger Ale, so comparing it to Ginger Ale is ridiculous. Ginger Beer is generally used as a digestive. That is, it’s an after-dinner drink to aid in digestion. To me, the POINT of a Ginger Beer is its kick. It should be served well-chilled and the first swig should make you cough (once). Then you know you have a good ginger beer. I used to drink Cock-n-Bull as a kid, but my favorite is Stewart’s (I don’t even know if they make it anymore). A side benefit to a good ginger beer (at least for me) is that it can chase away sinus congestion.
Thanks for the comment, Mr. Steinert. Comparing ginger sodas, whether ale or beer, is a pretty normal thing to do and I think it’s reasonable. Just like comparing an orange to an orange cream might be reasonable. It doesn’t mean they are the same thing, necessarily. I encourage people to try different ginger sodas, regardless of how they are labeled, and see what they prefer. It’s important to remember that it is all a matter of taste and Soda Tasting represents my taste. My favorite soda may be someone else’s least favorite, someone else’s favorite might be my least.
I understand what you are saying and, strictly speaking, ginger beer and ginger ale are different things. But sometimes I find they are used interchangeably and, in the end execution, can end up being similar things. Stewart’s does still produce Ginger Beer and in their description on their website, they say “this is not your mother’s ginger ale,” implying that it is simply a stronger ginger ale.
Ginger Beer is NOT Ginger Ale, so comparing it to Ginger Ale is ridiculous. Ginger Beer is generally used as a digestive. That is, it’s an after-dinner drink to aid in digestion. To me, the POINT of a Ginger Beer is its kick. It should be served well-chilled and the first swig should make you cough (once). Then you know you have a good ginger beer. I used to drink Cock-n-Bull as a kid, but my favorite is Stewart’s (I don’t even know if they make it anymore). A side benefit to a good ginger beer (at least for me) is that it can chase away sinus congestion.
Thanks for the comment, Mr. Steinert. Comparing ginger sodas, whether ale or beer, is a pretty normal thing to do and I think it’s reasonable. Just like comparing an orange to an orange cream might be reasonable. It doesn’t mean they are the same thing, necessarily. I encourage people to try different ginger sodas, regardless of how they are labeled, and see what they prefer. It’s important to remember that it is all a matter of taste and Soda Tasting represents my taste. My favorite soda may be someone else’s least favorite, someone else’s favorite might be my least.
I understand what you are saying and, strictly speaking, ginger beer and ginger ale are different things. But sometimes I find they are used interchangeably and, in the end execution, can end up being similar things. Stewart’s does still produce Ginger Beer and in their description on their website, they say “this is not your mother’s ginger ale,” implying that it is simply a stronger ginger ale.
Thanks again,
Patrick