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From: wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin )
Newsgroups: net.wines
Subject: Re: Storage of fine vintage soda
Message-ID: <10364@brl-tgr.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 2-May-85 11:07:15 EDT
Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.10364
Posted: Thu May  2 11:07:15 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 3-May-85 16:50:08 EDT
References: <419@sftri.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: USAMC ALMSA
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> Does anybody have any suggestions for long term storage of real
> honest-to-God Coca Cola [which shall be no more after May 8]?
> 
> Not entirely joking,
> Mark Modig
> ihnp4!sftri!mom

You have my sympathy; my wife has the same desire. Unfortunately, I think
the main problem with soda is the containers it is packaged in -- they are not 
designed for long-term storage. I've noticed that when I stock up on 2-liter 
bottles, the last ones used are noticeably less carbonated than the first.
I also think that pop-top cans have microscopic leakage around the pop-top,
and also lose pressure over time.

I fear the only way to preserve soda would be an hyperbaric chamber, 
pressurized with CO2 to a higher-than-in-the-container pressure level,
and kept at an even, fairly low (~40 deg F. maybe?) temperature. There
would have to be provisions for getting the soda out a container at a time
without lowering (or, probably, varying) the pressure -- I think this
rules out large airlocks and you walking in in a pressure suit, so maybe some 
automated materials-handling gear would have to be used to move the 
containers to a small airlock.

I think this has left the realm of cost-effectiveness; it would probably
be cheaper to steal the original Coca-Cola formula and start your own
bottling plant -- probably some out-of-business regional bottlers'
facilities are available for reasonable prices...

What I have not understood about all this Coke-flavor-change brouhaha
is why they didn't maintain the old flavor as a sideline. They now have 
various forms and flavors of soda, some diet, some low-caffiene, etc.
Why not have "Coke 1" and "Coke 2"? 

(Or, now that they've changed, why wouldn't Coca-Cola license the use of
their old formula to bottlers catering to people preferring the "old Coke"?)

Will Martin

USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin     or   ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA