An American Original: The Back Cow Root Beer Float

On August 18, 1893 Frank J. Wisner, owner of Cripple Creek Brewing, served the first root beer float in Cripple Creek, CO. Inspired by the moonlit view of snowcapped Cow Mountain, he added a scoop of ice cream to his Myers Avenue root beer and began serving it as “Black Cow Mountain”. Kids loved it; the name was shortened to “Black Cow”. Cripple Creek still sells beverages based on its original formulas.
In August, 2010 we speak with Mike Lynn of Cripple Creek Brewing of Naperville, Illinois about the Black Cow, its origins, its staying power, and its presence today this many years later.

At:http://conversationsontheroad.podbus.com/?p=501