The All American Soda Showdown

We recently had the opportunity to participate in a Soda Showdown and let me tell you - it was fun!  I had never heard of a Soda Showdown and you know me, I'm up for anything.  The scene of the party was The Hitching Post and Old Country Store, located in Aurora, Kentucky.

For $ 4.95 you get to sample 20 different soda's and then you get to keep your tasting glass as a souvenir...

 

The Hitching Post currently has over 160 different flavors and brands of soda.  Check out this extensive collection...

Each week they change up the soda's for the tasting.  Here are a few of the 20 samples we got to taste the day we were there....

You get your shot glass, line up at the counter and the soda ladies give you a little history on each brand of soda....

They are extremely knowledgeable about each brand, tell you where it's made and a juicy tidbit.  I was really impressed with the things they knew.

....and then they pour you a sample.....

Chug a lug!

 



These 2 definitely had no problem throwing back the shots... hmmm.....

It was a great opportunity to taste soda pops that we'd never heard of.  The nice thing about it is that you can sample them and not have to buy a whole bottle in case you didn't care for it.  I also thought it was interesting to see which soda's everybody liked the best and I was surprised  at the wide variety of answers.  It seems like everyone had a different favorite flavor. 

The soda tastings are held every Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm from May through August.  No reservations needed, just come as you are and join in on the fun.  And get this - after you do it the first time, you can go back again on any Thursday, bring your original shot glass with you, and get to taste 20 new soda's for only a dollar!  You can't beat that!  I'm all in for that.

After the soda tasting we wandered around the stores and the property, looking at the large collection of gifts, hand made jewelry, crafts, T shirts and antiques.  The Old Country Store has the look and feel of an olde time country store and is filled with historical memorabilia.  Some of their specialties are fresh roasted coffee beans, local honey and sorghum, home-made canned goods, jellies and syrups and even old time remedies.  They have an incredible variety of goods.  We poked around every nook and cranny.

They also sell old fashioned candy and home made fudge.  The fudge is absolutely delicious!  The flavors we bought were peanut butter, sea salt caramel, heath bar and vanilla.  The sea salt caramel was my absolute favorite, and truth be told, none of it lasted long - it's that good!

There was no way we were leaving The Hitching Post without a bottle of soda to take with us.  Up north, in Chicago, we call it pop.  What do you call it?  Do you call it soda?   Anyway, here are the selections we chose and check out the cute 6 pack container we got....

 

My personal winning choice was the Americana Black Cherry.  Let me just say this - out of this world!!!  By far the best pop I've ever had.  I may just have to drive back to The Hitching Post so I can pick up a 6 pack of the Black Cherry and half a pound of the sea salt caramel fudge.  Talk about pure bliss!

If you're in the Kentucky Lake area, it will be well worth your time to stop in Aurora at The Hitching Post and Old Country Store.  It's hidden gems like this that are delightful to stumble upon.  The stores here are charming and quaint, packed from floor to rafters with great gifts and antiques, and don't forget about the pop and fudge.  You cannot go wrong.  Stop by their FB page and say hi as well.  Tell them Kim from Chicago sent ya'll. 

The Hitching Post & Old Country Store 16474 US Hwy. 68E
Aurora, KY 42048
270-474-2266

Hours:
Summer hours (Memorial day – Labor day):
Closed Mondays
Tuesday – Saturday  9:00 – 6:00
Sunday 10:00 – 4:00
Hours change seasonally, please call for spring and fall hours.