Moxie
Monday, January 11, 2010 at 11:55AM Well here we are at review 100. First off thanks for your readership as we moved from our humble beginnings on livejournal, to the multi-million dollar corporation we are today. Oh wait… we haven’t made a dime, but we’re millionaires at heart. Today’s beverage was the most suggested beverage when we asked our readers what the 100th review should be… Moxie. If you listened to the Popcast you'd know that.
Moxie is one of the oldest sodas out there, some say THE oldest. Really it’s very close between Moxie, Vernor’s Ginger Soda, and Hire’s Root Beer. Looking upon the label I can tell you right away that this is no longer the original formula. Replaced with chemicals I assume, with one exception that reads “Gentian Root Extractives”. I’m pretty sure that one ingredient is going to give off a very unique flavor. Before I go any further I just want to mention how much I enjoy the label art of Moxie. The label is a man in a business suit pointing at you… it’s amazing.
Upon opening up the bottle, with a rather bland cap I might add, it smells like it’s going to be one of the most awesome, unique root beers you’ve ever had. I would even go so far as to say that it smells like a root beer/cola mix. Let’s drink.
The initial taste of moxie is great! It has that root beer cola flavor you thought you would taste after smelling it. It’s cool, refreshing, unique… something you could really see yourself buying from here on out. “To Hell with Coke!” you’d say “I’m a Moxie Man now!” Then something would go wrong in your mouth. That sweet root beer/cola taste would fade away as the Moxie started its journey down your gullet. What was once good, would now be replaced with evil. The taste of pennies, dirt, and un-sweetened envelope glue now dance upon your tongue. Your first reaction is to drink some more. “This can’t be the aftertaste,” you’d say, “More Moxie should fix this right up.” It won’t. Sure, as long as the liquid stays in your mouth you avoid the horrible aftertaste, but who’s going to walk around with Moxie constantly swishing around their teeth. While I don’t agree with pouring sodas over ice, this (ironically our 100th review) is a soda which must be. Fortunately, pouring Moxie over ice cuts the horrible after taste in half. It’s like watching your favorite sports team do really well against someone they weren’t supposed to beat, only in the 2nd half to have your entire team break their legs. This is such a historic drink, with such a unique flavor that I have to recommend you try it. So there you have it, one of the oldest sodas available, and our 100th review. The next milestone is probably 250, so be patient, and keep reading. Thanks!
Verdict: Buy a Bottle!
~A
Thank goodness Twist's taste buds aren't real
Reader Comments (9)
I once visited Maine on vacation, and I saw Moxie being sold at a little lunch-only restaurant. I tried some, and I really do love it. If you hold your nose for about 30 seconds after you finish drinking, there's no aftertaste. Just the good initial flavour.
Also, in that place where I bought the Little Orange Can of Destiny, there was a big piece of paper on the wall, with markers in a little box nearby. At the top of the page, the manager had written, "What do YOU think Moxie tastes like?" Below that, guests had written their own creative descriptions. I admit, it was this page of crazy descriptions that made me want to try some for myself. My favourite description was written in a destinctively masculine hand, and read, "Moxie tastes like carbonated tires."
...it's not that far off, really. Unless you use the hold-your-nose technique that I described earlier.
"Moxie tastes like carbonated tires" is perhaps the most accurate description I've ever seen in regards to it's after taste. That made my day.
~A
Have been drinking Moxie for the past couple of weeks. It really takes some getting used to. I'm starting to acquire a taste for it. It's really not that bad!
I have no idea how to describe Moxie but carbonated car tires is sooo funny.
LOL!!! I laughed at this review from beginning to end. A "Rocket Fizz" soda shop just opened... literally, right next door to where I live. Now it's become a mission in life to try every single one... from Bacon soda to Buffalo wing soda... to apple jalapeno soda... etc. Now it looks like I'm going to have to add "carbonated tire soda" to the list...
I'm really not trying to be vulgar or a troll but at first when I read the line: "What was once good, would now be replaced with evil. The taste of pennies, dirt, and un-sweetened envelope glue now dance upon your tongue." I thought that the word "pennies" was "penises" and I spit out soda all over my computer monitor... I was like NO WAY I'm I drinking THAT! That's WAY too much "Moxie" for me!
Oh, wait ... it just tastes like tires, I'll try it!
I had my first Moxie several weeks ago on a trip to Pennsylvania. Others have said Moxie is an acquired taste, and I suspect that to be true for most, but I liked the stuff right away. To my palate, Moxie tastes like a weak root beer or birch beer steeped in Beemans chewing gum. I think maybe the reason I liked Moxie at first taste is because I always liked Beemans gum (which in itself seems odd to most). The Beemans taste is not dominant, but is definitely there, and seems to fade after time as you drink a bottle. Letting it go just a little flat seemed to help the taste somewhat, too.
Moxie is definitely an acquired taste! I only drink a yearly bottle so still have not fully appreciated the flavor. The "carbonated tires" comparison almost captures the taste; however I would add the essence of stagnate rain water found with the tires.
Moxie was my 9/11. If taken internally, just gargle with pool chlorine and Lysol your tonsils; good as new.
I guess I'm one of those weird people who enjoys both the initial and aftertaste of moxie; personally it's my absolute favorite beverage. Then again, I'm a UMaine student, love all kinds of seafood and blueberries.... could just be a "Mainah thing"