HOSMER MOUNTAIN SODA – WILLIMANTIC and MANCHESTER, CT
With the craft beer movement taking a stronghold on the state’s palette, soda has found itself relegated to the back of the fridge. Although fellow ‘Connecticut connoisseurs’ may be reaching for a double IPA instead of an Orange Dry soda, Hosmer Mountain Soda knows that trends come and go, but since 1912, their product has been in high demand. Heck, these soda kings have been around since before alcohol was made illegal and provided a tasty alternative throughout the Prohibition years. With its main warehouse location in Willimantic and satellite soda shop in Manchester, Hosmer Mountain has a stronghold on eastern Connecticut’s soft drink landscape. Rightfully so, Hosmer Mountain schools the competition, diminishing the national brands to flavorless carbonation. Each variety of Hosmer Mountain has a distinct and unique taste. Their variety ranges from classic flavors like Root Beer (which won fourth best overall in the Great American Root Beer Showdown) and Cream Soda to more adventurous tastes like Lime Rickey and their take on an energy drink, Red Lightning. My personal favorites include Orange Dry, Ginger Ale and Root Beer. Taking Route 289 south from Willimantic, Hosmer’s facility is located on Mountain Road on the right just before the Lebanon town line. Its facility is unassuming, inside and out. The visitor can either take home a six pack or a case of their favorite flavor or devise their perfect soda combination by purchasing individual bottles which are arranged in cartons. Environmentally conscious, Hosmer uses all recycled glass bottles. Instead of recycling your empties at home, bring them in for a cash deposit. Even though Hosmer’s facility has a certain antiquated quality about it, in an era when the idea of farm to table and independent business is in vogue, a throwback such as Hosmer feels just as much 2015 as it does 1912. And most importantly, the soda tastes great!
