WINNER
NON-A LCOLHOLIC DRINK
M. Schneider & Son Sodas by Crowsnest Craft Soda Inc. M ADE IN CALGARY
JUDGES SAID
FROM THE VINTAGE PACKAGING, TO THE CLASSIC TASTE, M. SCHNEIDER & SON PROVIDES AN EASY-DRINKING SODA THAT MAY AS WELL HAVE BEEN PASSED TO YOU BY A SODA JERK AT AN OLD-
T
he Classic Cola by M. Schneider & Son Sodas has distinctly nostalgic branding: “Delicious and invigoratin’!” appears on the vintage-styled, matte-black can in an old-timey typeface. “I’m fascinated by the idea of creating something that tastes so good that it defines authenticity,” says Matthew Schneider, CEO of Crowsnest Craft Soda Inc., which produces the cola. “I also wanted to create a look and feel for the packaging that seems like it must be generations old, even though it’s a new product.” Schneider first got the idea to create his own cola more than six years ago while living in Austria (his wife, Viktoria, is Austrian). To create the ultimate cola flavour, he enlisted the help of a pharmacist friend with a well-rounded understanding of chemistry. Schneider wanted his cola
to be free of phosphoric acid and instead used natural essential oils to create a deeper, smoother flavour reminiscent of a classic soda fountain beverage that stands apart from contemporary, mass-produced soda products. M. Schneider & Son Sodas are built on Schneider’s line of soda syrups, which have been available since 2019 and are sold at retailers across the province, including Safeway and Sobeys. Launched in April 2023, the sodas are manufactured in Calgary at New Level Brewing in three classic flavours: cola, cherry cola and root beer. The canned sodas also mark the start of a new era for the company — after the birth of his son, Charlie, in March 2023, Schneider added “& Son” to the company name, excited to create a family legacy based on the motto “we make the world taste good.” —A.P.
FASHIONED SODA SHOPPE!”
JONATHAN BAREMBRUCH
112
NON -A LCOH OL IC D RIN K CATE GORY RUN N ERS -UP Quench Hop Water by Cabin Brewing Company Made in Calgary $8 (pack of four) cabinbrewing.ca Bee’s Knees by Wild Folk Made in Calgary $22 (pack of four) drinkwildfolk.com Porter’s Tonic Dill Fennel Syrup by Porter’s Tonic Made in Calgary $16 porterstonic.com
september/october 2024
P H OTO BY J A R E D SYC H
W H AT T H E
$4 to $5 per 16-oz. can sodasyrups.ca