An Idea, thoughts for the muster

[Delmonico]

I started this on Cosie's Corner:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,19704.msg249762.html#new

Since no alcohol is allowed in the barracks at the Fort, what would some of you think about thse who can to bring some samples of old time bottled soda pop from their area or at least what one can get in their area and we have a soda pop tasting party or two in the barracks in the evenings?

[Texas Lawdog]

I can bring some Dublin, Texas DP's made with Imperial Pure Cane sugar.  These DP's do not taste like the regular DP's that you get in stores.

[River City John]

I know Grizzle Bear has made and bottled some authentic sarsaprilla soda for some of the Kansas Vigilance Committee's events. And I believe some period Root Beer. Perhaps our GAF members from that NCOWS posse could provide a recipe?

I am working on concocting a 'faux' bourbon out of maple syrup flavoring in cider vinnegar with some added flavorings, and then we could enjoy some non-alcoholic Mint Juleps.

Oddly enough, the Fort was always dry, yet it had a sutler's store right across the road a stone's throw from the Guard house that filled that demand.

[Delmonico]

I've made Ginger Beer in the past.

[Grizzle Bear]

The sarsaparilla is easy to do.  Just find a store that caters to the folks that like to brew their own beer, and they will have the concentrate and yeast.  The biggest expense is the bottles.  I like the ones with the captured stopper, but you can get the ones that take a bottle opener.

But here's another thought. 

I understand that the Fort wouldn't want people drinking in the barracks.  But the Kansas Vigilance Committee just recently purchased a 12X18 wall tent for our new meeting house/theatre/saloon.  Think the people at the Fort would let us set up a saloon outside the perimeter?  Now, that's what I call authentic!

Grizzle Bear

[Pitspitr]

Grizz,
The fort is surrounded on all sides by the same neighbor and the relationship is somewhat, uh...strained.  I suspect that the only what that could happen is if they were going to make money on the deal.

Personally, I like Delmonico's idea.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

I like it!

The wall tent sounds interesting, but as Pitspitr mentions, the neighbor figures in on this.

Col. Pitspitr, Sir - who IS the neighbor?  Uncle Sam?  Or a Private owner?

We certainly DON"T want to rile the community. 

[Pitspitr]

Col. Pitspitr, Sir - who IS the neighbor?  Uncle Sam?  Or a Private owner?

A private owner who feels that the fort should have never been given to the state by the previous owner and that it should still be part of his land.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Aha!

$o dollar$ DO play $ome part in thi$ opinion, eh?

[Captain Lee Bishop]

I took part in a "brew your own soda pop" tasting session at a CW event years ago and got as sick as a man can get and still live. I never did find out who poisoned me but someone's concoction messed up several folks. Put me in the hospital for three days. You can count me out on that part. I like the soda king link, I might need to place an order for a few bottles of stuff I heard my parents talk about from their childhood.

Still, I really need to get to a muster sometime soon, anyway!

[Zouave Officer]

That sounds like a rather rough time. I know we have several "Soda" vendor's down South that come out to our Civil War events, I know off the top of my head the only one I can think of though is "Old Doc Bell."

This sounds like a rather interesting idea, I know that I certainly would not want to suffer a repeat of Captain Bishop's incident though.

[Captain Lee Bishop]

That sounds like a rather rough time. I know we have several "Soda" vendor's down South that come out to our Civil War events, I know off the top of my head the only one I can think of though is "Old Doc Bell."

I would trust a vendor, but never again would I trust a home brewed anything. I'm sure y'all understand why.

[River City John]

Schweppe's Ginger Beer has a better flavor, to my taste, than Sioux City. More gingery and pours a better head.
I could see transferring the commercial product into a more suitable period looking container. October will be great for cooling 'em down.