Root beer Barrels! The official WILCO candy of summer, 2013.

[WILCO]

On a nostalgic note, I've gone old school when picking my official candy for this summer.

Here's a little article:

http://www.articleinsider.com/food-and-beverages/candy/root-beer-candy

"Old-fashioned root beer candy offers a flavor that appeals to everyone. Whether you're 4, 40 or 104, the intriguing, complex taste of root beer never cloys. Root beer flavored candy sticks are wonderful, and root beer pops delicious, but it's root beer barrels, the crown jewels of penny candy, that everyone remembers.

Although Native Americans used roots as food and the Colonists made root beer as one of many "small beers," root beer as we know it today has only been around since the late 19th century. It was developed by Charles Hires, a pharmacist. His recipe included more than 25 roots, herbs, and berries. He first presented it to the public at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial, and a chorus of yums went around the world.

History hasn't recorded who first thought of making root beer into hard candy, but a lot of people would like to thank him. Today, root beer barrels aren't as easy to find as they used to be. When you do find them, they are likely to be overpriced. However, a quick search online can set you up with a supply line."

As a little side note, I'm getting my Root Beer barrels from Walmart, the great value brand.

Life is good! :)

[Artful]

I like it - but I think you should consider a co-candy partner - NECCO wafer's - not only do they come in many flavors and not melt in your car but make excellent targets that are biodegradable.

[WILCO]

Thanks for the tip Art!

[Ed Barrett]

I like it - but I think you should consider a co-candy partner - NECCO wafer's - not only do they come in many flavors and not melt in your car but make excellent targets that are biodegradable.

Plus one for NECCO wafers, my favorite target, nothing beats shooting them at 100 yards to see who buys lunch.

[Artful]

Thanks for the tip Art!
Your Welcome - just to keep with with Root Beer...

The History of NECCO® Wafers

In 1847, a young English immigrant, Oliver Chase, invented the first American candy machine, a lozenge cutter
and the abomination called the “hub wafer” was born. After initial success selling his new candy, he and his brother, Silas Edwin, founded Chase and Co., which became the pioneer member of the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO®) family.

Over the years, NECCO® Wafers became so popular that in the 1913 famed Arctic explorer Donald MacMillan gave them to Eskimo children on his journeys to the North. And in the 1930's Admiral Byrd included 2½ tons of NECCO® Wafers in his supply list for a two year stay in the Antarctic. Then, during WWII, the U.S. Government requisitioned a major portion of production for American soldiers serving in WWII, as the wafers didn’t melt and rarely broke during transport.

Today, approximately 630 million NECCO® Wafers are made each year. Placed edge to edge, they would go around the world twice!
http://www.necco.com/Candy/Wafers/History.aspx

The original 8 flavors are lemon, lime, orange, clove, cinnamon, wintergreen, licorice, and chocolate.

Union soldiers carried “hub wafers” during the Civil War.

NECCO also makes those nasty candy hearts with writing for Valentines day.

If you mix NECCO wafers and Pepsi, it’ll light on fire.
http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web05/2012/10/26/14/anigif_enhanced-buzz-15738-1351275299-1.gif

NECCO wafters are gluten-free AND Kosher. Mazel tov!

I pick them up at Walgreens

[fryboy]

i didnt know that about the pepsi ..., possibly because i never cared for colas but still ... wow

[winelover]

Root Beer is at the top of my list. Also Sassafras and Horehound. Walmart carries "Claey's Old Fashioned Hard Candy" in all those flavors plus Licorice.

Winelover

[Artful]

In the 1960's there were still some old general stores and a candy store that sold penny candy from large jars. A nickle or a dime sent you out with a small brown bag. Besides jaw breakers, maple candy, there was root beer roots cut about 6" long. You chewed on the end and sucked the flavor out. They were good.

You can still find some remnants of those kinds of stores if you look hard enough...
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/22/262862/restaurant/Midtown/MacAlpines-Phoenix
https://cbks3.google.com/cbk?output=thumbnail&cb_client=maps_sv&thumb=2&thumbfov=92&panoid=rQxLPrwp-ug7g5obvCOMiQ&thumbpegman=1&yaw=99.277569474471647&w=300&h=118
https://www.google.com/maps?layer=c&z=17&sll=33.473256,-112.064922&cid=-5708299907797754879&panoid=rQxLPrwp-ug7g5obvCOMiQ&cbp=13,99.27756947447165,,0,0&q=macalpines+phoenix&sa=X&ei=ihrYUcSHGqT2iwLShYCYAw&ved=0CK8BEKAfMAs
When's the last time you had an egg cream or phosphate whipped up by a soda jerk?
http://a3.urbancdn.com/w/s/8N/1xSWOInFpD1YPM.jpg
and they have a large selection of flavors
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzLIiPO8nfk/UWJT_2ggTdI/AAAAAAAALtU/Gf9UPm8fDJ4/s1600/IMG_4762.JPG

[RayinNH]

Chutters in Littleton NH, the world's longest candy counter. http://www.chutters.com/candy/

[WILCO]

Chutters in Littleton NH, the world's longest candy counter. http://www.chutters.com/candy/

"The longest counter of its kind anywhere, Chutters candy counter runs the entire length of the store. An impressive 112 feet of gleaming glass jars filled with brightly colored candy, ranging from yesterday's favorites and hard-to-find flavors, to the best of today's most sought-after treats. "

That's great!

[Love Life]

I do love the root beer barrels!!

The candy I covet the most? The green spearmints. I remember my grandmother would keep them in her purse and she would give me one once the sermon started in church. She always had them, and when I visit her she still always has them.

Amazing how something so small can take you back in time.