The Ultimate Taste Test

In the words of my fellow library schooler/partner in crime:  "This is what nerdy graduate students do when school is over."  We pitted Coke, Mexican Coke, Pepsi, Pepsi Throwback and RC cola against each other in the ultimate taste test.  Can the average Joe (AKA the two of us) tell the difference between these similar sodas?  The predictions: Garrett "Of course I can."  Me "Undoubtedly."  The results: no we cannot.  It was utter failure.  In a similar study a few days later, we pitted Coke and Pepsi against our not-so-sophisticated taste buds and actually were able to tell the difference.  This study was not completely unbiased, however, because the Pepsi had gone slightly flat and both participants were aware of this fact.  Perhaps we will perform this simplified test again at a later time.  Stay tuned!