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| Eli’s Soda |
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Root Beer: Capt'n Eli's flagship. A traditional root beer with the essence of wintergreen oil, anise, and vanilla make this root beer a popular choice.
Ginger Beer: A well balanced combination of spicy ginger and sweet cane sugar enhances this clean and very drinkable ginger beer.
Parrot Punch: Take a flavorful vacation to the tropics with this lightly carbonated punch bursting with all natural fruit flavors.
Blueberry Pop: A taste of Maine! Capt'n Eli's Blueberry Pop is cool, invigorating, and full of resh wild blueberry flavor.
Lemon Lime: Prepare to be dazzled! This classic combination of Lemon Lime has enough zing to quench any thirst.
Orange Pop: Need a little zest? Pop open a bottle and experience the sweet sunshine of citrus and fizz. |
| Our Story |
In the early 1920’s, the Forsley family started a fun tradition of making homemade root beer. As a boy, young Eli Forsley pilfered root beer from his father’s basement supply, gave some to his close friends and sold the rest around the neighborhood. An entrepreneur was born!
When Eli grew up, he was known as Dr. Eli Forsley and, in his time, he was that and more. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, he earned his master’s degree in social work and a doctorate of education and became a pioneer in providing the mentally ill and disabled veterans a home where they could be a part of the community.
During this time, Eli met Agnes -- the love of his life. They moved to Gray, Maine and had five children of their own. True to his roots, Eli continued the Forsley family tradition of making root beer in the basement. Stories are still told today about his famous root beer! Dr. Eli Forsley was a remarkable and memorable man. We’re proud to say that his spirit of fun lives on today in Capt’n Eli’s Soda.
One of Eli’s sons, Fred, had the same entrepreneurial spark as his father. In 1992, Fred founded Federal Jack’s Restaurant and Brew Pub in Kennebunkport, Maine. Just two years later, he and master brewer Alan Pugsley started Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland which quickly grew into Maine’s largest brewery.
Fred started a family of his own and, with the encouragement of his Mother, decided to bring the Forsley’s famous root beer to the rest of the world. In 1996, the family tradition continued – this time in a keg, served ice cold on tap at Federal Jack’s. No one knew exactly what to name this special recipe until one day “Capt’n Eli” was suggested and it stuck.
The popularity of Capt’n Eli’s Root Beer grew and, in 2002, Fred and Alan decided to bottle it. The soda label was developed by Chris Hadden and illustrator Bruce Hutchinson. Soon, New Gloucester, Maine native Scott Doyle joined the crew as brand manager and a recipe for success was created! In the first year, they sold over 5,000 cases of root beer in Maine alone. Sweet success was on the way!
Next stop: a comic book to help promote the brand. That’s right, Capt’n Eli’s is the only soda in the world to have inspired a graphic novel adventure story – The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli, written and illustrated by Jay Piscopo. Look for it at your favorite store or library! Did you know that many great adventure characters were created to sell products? Characters like the Lone Ranger, Green Hornet, and Captain Midnight all had their starts connected to a product before branching off and becoming well known on their own.
You’re in for a treat! Today, Capt’n Eli’s Soda has grown to include a full line of flavors – all caffeine free and all made with natural cane and brown sugars. This Maine made soda line is handcrafted at Shipyard Brewing Company in Portland, Maine and distributed in key markets around the United States. |
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