Where can I find Golden Cockerel Ginger Beer???

[wizardoflittlearmenia]

I have been searching high and low for this soda. I have been horribly disappointed by other ginger ales in the past, and when I finally happened to stumble across this one in Provigo, it was gone two weeks later. This was over a year ago, and I have been searching ever since, but with no luck.

So I am hoping anybody out there can tell me where I can find this soda or something similar. I've gone over Peaches to Poutine's post here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/787395, but the website listed is out of stock and the thread seems to have died out, so I am making a new one in hopes of finding some more ginger beer! Thanks for the help guys.

[unlaced]

going a little bit off topic for this thread. Where do you find any style of ginger beer in Montreal? To me, there is a difference between ginger ale (stuff like Schweppes and Canada Dry) and Ginger Beer (either alcoholic or not, back in Australia I was used to Buderim Ginger Beer) But here in Montreal, is there a difference? The supermarkets only seem to carry ginger ale, and it is not gingery enough for be classified as ginger beer to me!

I have seen the suggestions in this thread, but just want to know if any "normal" Metros, IGAs etc stock a ginger beer?

[Peaches to Poutine]

I still stand by Grace and Bull's Head for that super gingery kick. Bull's Head Ginger Beer's availability is unknown to me outside of the Townships, but you can find Grace's at any Provigo/Maxi, etc.

[unlaced]

Thanks PtP! I have checked a couple of Metro stores, but will stop by a Provigo to see if I can find it!

[TheSnowpea]

You can find it on occasion, but it's become a shadow of its former very spicy self.

In the 80s that stuff had a wonderful and memorable bite; I found some a few years ago, and was very disappointed: it was now tame and sweet. It got purchased by Canada Dry or something and someone messed with the recipe.

This is why I make my own these days.

EDIT: or get Grace (as indicated above), which I have to cut with ordinary ginger ale. I like the combo for Moscow Mules.

[mtlalex]

+1 for Grace. By comparison Golden Cockerel is just ginger ale.

[davidpg]

Grace ginger beer has become my go-to actually. It's REALLY spicy though (in a great way).

Available in all ethnic food shops.

[Peaches to Poutine]

I've tried that one and it actually fell under the category of too spicy for me!

Yeah, I spent too much time trying any ginger beer I could purchase at chain and ethnic grocery stores. But still!

[wizardoflittlearmenia]

I'll definitely have to give Grace a try. The spicier the better for me!

I also went to Fou D'Ici today and got a couple Bull's Heads. They only sell them individually though, and they are pretty expensive (about 2.69 each) so I could only get a couple. It is very good. Not too spicy right off the bat, but it does have a very good warming aftertaste that I really like.

[SnackHappy]

It seems to be a bit elusive. It shows up in certain supermarkets, then it goes away for a while and eventually comes back. The best places to find it are in "ethnic" stores and supermarkets that serve Caribbean communities. Super C and Maxi are the most likely to stock it and if they don't have Golden Cockerel, they usually have other brands of ginger beer. I usually see Old Tyme or D&G Jamaican Ginger Beer. IIRC, both those brands are also sold at Aubut

[Peaches to Poutine]

I've tried both those brands and while they are tasty, they only ever sold singly. Bull's Head, an Eastern Townships company, is starting to enter the ginger beer market. I had a friend procure some for me for American Thanksgiving and holy cow, was it ever amazing.

[wizardoflittlearmenia]

Do the drinks mentioned above have the same spicy/gingery taste that golden cockerel has? The only other ginger drink I've had is Reed's Original Ginger Brew, and that was disappointingly un-gingery. If they taste similar, I don't mind buying them; its not the brand I'm after, but rather the taste. And I'll definitely try some Bull's Head if I can buy it in bulk.

P.S. I just checked, and they don't sell Bulls Head in Montreal yet. I'm gonna have to wait till I can leave the city.

[Peaches to Poutine]

It was the excellent kind of gingery where even inhaling the fizz from an open bottle induces coughing fits. IT IS AWESOME. But it seems like they only sell it here in packs of 4 which is a costly drawback.

[kpzoo]

Their Facebook page says Bull's Head is available in Montreal at Fou d'Ici, 360 de Maisonneuve O. You could call and double-check, if you're willing to try a non-bulk-packaged product. 514-600-3424

[wizardoflittlearmenia]

I'll give them a call tomorrow, and might have to pick up a 4 pack if it's not too costly. I'm glad you found out that they were selling in Montreal. The company's website doesn't mention anything about this.

[Peaches to Poutine]

Just to warn you, they haven't officially rolled out their ginger beer yet so they may not have it.

[wizardoflittlearmenia]

I just gave the a call and they said that they have it. I'm definitely going to go pick some up today! Thanks for the help guys.

[Peaches to Poutine]

Yay for you! Can't wait to hear what you think of it!

[SnackHappy]

"I've tried both those brands and while they are tasty, they only ever sold singly"

That's why I mentioned Aubut. They only sell them by the case. Aubut, Mayrand and other cash & carry stores would also be good places to look for Golden Cockerel.

[porker]

I'd agree with the "ethnic" suggestion.
Theres a few in LaSalle (I'm thinking Ramdas and Punjab) that always had it. I'll check ifn they have it, or like other places the OP mentions, maybe its temporarily outta stock.

[Peaches to Poutine]

I don't think so. I have been going to Provigo/IGA/Metro stores since I originally posted my query, and they don't have it. Given the quantity stores need to order, I hardly think that someone is coming in before I make my grocery run and snapping up all Canada Dry ginger beer. (If this comes off snippy, I apologize. I don't mean for it to be.)

If you have any luck at the ethnic stores in Montreal, I would be pleased to hear it so I can buy some on the weekends.

[porker]

I don't quite understand your 1st paragraph.

Maybe my post is confusing when I say "theres a few in Lasalle...". I'm referring to ethnic places, ie theres a few ethnic stores in Lasalle.

[wizardoflittlearmenia]

Porker, I think what Peaches to Poutine was referring to was the third line of your last post, where you said other places the OP mentioned. I spoke about going to Provigo to get the Golden Cockerel, so I think that's where the confusion arose.

I'm also gonna check out maxi and super c, and some of the more ethnic places, and report back. Is there any input on some of the other ginger beers mentioned, such as Old Tyme or D&G Jamaican Ginger Beer? Do they have the same gingery spicyness that I am looking for?

[porker]

OK.
Just to clarify, I will check Ramdas and Punjab, as they usually have this product. However, if the big chains are out of stock, perhaps theres an underlining problem with supply. This problem might affect all stores, including the ethnic places and not just the big chains. If this is indeed the case, Ramdas and Punjab will likely be out of stock as well.
But we'll see.

[porker]

OK, I checked Punjab in LaSalle yesterday. Its an Indian store, but they cater heavily to Caribbean customers.
No, they did not have the golden cock brand. (I'm guessing its a supply or manufacture problem?)
I did see Hairoun brand Gingerbeer, something I never saw before...

[Peaches to Poutine]

Old Tyme isn't bad but the bottles are wee. I didn't like D&G; too sweet for my taste.

[Peaches to Poutine]

Yeah, if you find it, let me know. I maintain it's because they changed the packaging so perhaps they discontinued it. I hope not. I have two 12-packs in our basement that I refuse to open.