Nov. 22 issue - Peter van Stolk, president and CEO of
Jones Soda, says beverage companies usually go into hibernation after Labor Day.
Maybe his should have stayed there. Last week Jones launched a holiday pack of
seasonal sodas with flavors like Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry, Mashed
Potatoes and Butter, Turkey and Gravy, and Fruitcake. The company's online
supply sold out in an hour last Thursday (the $15.95 packs hit retailers last
Friday and select Target stores this week) and, van Stolk says, "the U.K. is
phoning us asking for Steak and Kidney Pie flavor." The Seattle-based company
decided to expand its Thanksgiving line after the success of the Turkey and
Gravy soda, which it introduced last year; bottles sold for nearly $70 on eBay.
The only redeeming qualities these sodas have is that a portion of their sales
goes to charity and they're calorie- and carb-free. But the movie-theater
popcornlike blast that hits your nose when you uncap the Mashed Potatoes and
Butter variety is malodorous, to be polite. Two colleagues just about gagged
after trying the Green Bean Casserole. "They're accurate to their label," says a
spokeswoman. "It's like 'Fear Factor'."
High 
