I was thinking about this the other day and then saw this article about the best container to get your soda in...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/2 ... 42151.html

Years ago, fountain (and I voted that way impulsively). It was better, less watered down and "seltzer" tasting. By far the best experience, followed by bottle. Nowadays, bottle is probably best but I couldn't say the last time I had a glass bottle soda. I drink from plastic bottles and deal with it.

I voted glass bottle but it was a toss-up with fountain. I couldn't pull the trigger on fountain because the taste can really vary depending on the fountain. For example, it often tastes really weird from 7-11.

Makes no difference, taste-wise (I don't drink much of the stuff).
And the correct term is "soda."

I use cans.

I prefer glass bottles (although, like, Jeff, I couldn't tell you the last time I has one that way), but when I'm home or work I ususally have a can or bottle poured over ice.

Wow, it's weird that I even wrote "soda pop", since I don't really use that term. Maybe I did it to be hospitable to all WANkers from all areas of the country.

pop is best in cans. and in Michigan we call it pop. soda is what you bake with, pop is what you drink.

Has Jay taught us nothing? It's "Coke", people!

Shelby is correct.

I don't think this is an Ontario thing, just a me thing. I call it pop as well but I would buy it from what I'd call the soda aisle or soda menu.

Here's how the logic goes:

Fountain = no, because the mix is not uniform as we move through time and space
Ice = no, because it is diluted. Will do just fine, but not preferred.
Can = better, but opening is not resealable. I obsessively wonder if it has gone flat in the 10 seconds since I last took a sip.
Glass bottle = the most aesthetically and nostalgically pleasing, but cap is not resealable. See concerns about can.

Winner = plastic bottle. Perfect mix, no ice dilution, resealable cap. (I reseal between sips).

All of it will do fine, but preferred method of purchase is a half-liter plastic bottle, resealable cap. Thanks.

I think my issue with bottles is that they never seem to keep the beverage as cold as cans do...it might just be a perception thing, but it still makes a difference in the overall experience.
I agree that fountain pop is problematic because the mix is wildly different depending on where you go. I think Jimmy John's fountain Diet Coke is pretty good across the board, though.

Shelby is correct that it is just a perception thing.

Isn't it because metal is a better conductor of heat, so it feels colder because it absorbs more of your body heat more quickly than plastic?

I like warm Coca-Cola in a tall bottle that my cousins and I have stolen from the wooden Coca-Cola crate at the bottom of my grandmother's pantry.

I like cold off-brand grape soda in a slimy can, opened with a can opener after being pulled from an ice chest of fish in my father's boat.

I like fizzing Dr. Pepper in a paper/wax cup on a hot Summer afternoon, sitting on my stingray bike in the shade of the patio at my neighborhood Burger Chef.

And I like A&W Root Beer in a frozen mug.

Yes, the metal feels colder to your hand and lips, but the liquid is the same temperature. (Assuming all other conditions equal).

I messed up and hit glass bottle instead of plastic bottle.

Oh well. If you turn me loose in a convenience store on a road trip, I'll come walking out with a one-liter plastic bottle of either Coke or Coke Zero.

Over ice. Be it bottled, canned, or fountain.

See, to me that makes a huge difference. Warm pop doesn't do it for me. Really, really cold from a can just feels right. Also, cans are easier to store. If cans had a resealable top, I'd be one happy camper. That is the only downside, IMO.