Nows and Forevers

I’ve probably bought more Moxie in my life than anyone who doesn’t drink it. That’s because my stepfather, who can’t really find it where he lives, loves the stuff. So I end up buying it.

When I lived in Maine, as I did for several years, I could find it anywhere. It was a little harder to find in Connecticut and even more difficult to find in New York, where I have lived half my life. But you could find Moxie some places and I was up in Maine enough even then that I could buy some.

It’s a little more difficult where I live now. But it’s not impossible, thanks to the craft soda boom. I ended up finding a six-pack at a candy store near my house, and there even were some in a cooler at a Fresh Market. It was more expensive than I remember buying it at Hannaford in Maine, but I’m pretty far from the Pine Tree State these days.

Moxie has its roots in Maine and it’s also one of the first carbonated sodas, going back to the 19th century. It certainly has history going for it.

Even though my stepfather likes it a lot — and my own father, if he doesn’t drink it, still remembers the Ted Willliams ads — I can’t say I reach for a bottle myself when I want a taste of Maine.

The last time I was in Maine, about five years ago, I brought back a bottle of Moxie and a B&M Canned Bread and let my coworkers have a little taste of Maine. They weren’t impressed.

“It’s an acquired taste,” I said.