Vernors Ginger Ale Collectors Club: Interview with Club Founder

Vernors Ginger Ale and Hire's Root Beer. A winning combination. Although they won't be running in 2008 as presidential hopefuls, they will always share the title of America's oldest soda pops.

The Vernors ginger ale story, though, is one of war and triumph. James Vernor was off to serve in the American Civil War in 1862. Before he left he sat down and put together a concoction of ginger, vanilla and spices. After doing so, he placed the brew in an oak cask and set out to do his patriotic duty.

Four years later, upon arriving home, battle-weary, he reached inside the cask and took a long, cool pull on what he cried was a "deliciously different" knock back.

And, on that day, Vernors Ginger Ale was born, along with it's "deliciously different' slogan.

All of this happened a very long time ago, and there are many different types of soda pops on the market today in America, and around the world.

However, there is one man who loves Vernors and the Vernors memorabilia so much that he decided to start a collectors club. I was able to talk to Keith Wunderlich a little bit about the club, how it got started, and what his future plans are.

ABS) When did your personal interest in Vernors begin?

KW) I have always enjoyed Detroit history and memorabilia. I started picking up various Detroit items over 30 years ago. Then, I found a box full of old Vernors bottles in my parent's garage. I asked if I could have them. They said it was okay and my Vernors collection began.

Instead of collecting everything Detroit, I began to focus in on Vernor's Ginger Ale. I still have some other Detroit items, like Sanders Candy, Faygo, Hudson's, and trays from some of the old Detroit breweries. However, the majority of my collection is Vernor's.

ABS) Why did you decide to form a club for Vernor's Ginger Ale Collectors?

KW) Even though I collect Vernor's, I'm a member of the local Coca Cola Club. I enjoyed getting their newsletter and going to their annual show and sale. I thought it would be fun to have a Vernor's Club, too!

I had the idea for several years and never did anything about it. A little over a year ago, I decided it was time and I started up the Vernor's Ginger Ale Collectors' Club with a quarterly newsletter and a web site. I think the best part is finding out what other collectors have. It's fun finding out about advertising you never saw before.

ABS) I love Vernor's and love the way I occasionally sneeze when drinking it. I read that there is an ingredient in the drink that causes this. Do you know anything about that?

KW) Well, I've also read on the internet that it contains cayenne pepper, but I don't believe it! I have never been able to get my hands on the secret formula, but I believe it's the ginger and the super-carbonation that makes you sneeze or cough. There just isn't any other soft drink that packs the carbonated punch that Vernor's does.

ABS) How many members do you have so far in the club, and how would an individual join?

KW) The Vernor's Club has just under 50 members right now. It's very easy to join. People can go to the club website at www.wowway.com/~vernors/index.html and hit the "Join the Club" button. All the information they need is right there. Anyone with questions can email me at vernorsclub@yahoo.com .

ABS) What are your future plans for Vernor's Ginger Ale Collector's Club?

The Vernor's Club will continue to have quarterly newsletter and an annual show and sale. During 2008, we are concentrating on James Vernor I, II, III and Vernor Davis. So, there will be quite a bit of history this year. In our Winter 2008 edition, there's an interview with James Vernor IV.

New for 2008 is the start of a Vernor's blog on the web site. In April, a book will be published about Vernor's Ginger Ale by Arcadia Publishing. I wrote the book and mention the Vernor's Club in it. As club members suggest other new things, we'll continue to explore new directions.

Vernors Ginger Ale. Don't you just love it?