ALAGA syrup has long been a staple drink enjoyed by many across the southern United States. With its sweet, rich taste reminiscent of maple syrup, ALAGA syrup has been used to flavor everything from pancakes and waffles to ice cream and milkshakes. However, some have noted that ALAGA syrup seems to be getting harder to find these days, leading consumers to ask: is ALAGA syrup still available to purchase?
Background on ALAGA Syrup
ALAGA syrup has its roots tracing back to the early 1900s in Alabama. It was originally created by Victor Albert Lee Sr., who came up with his own unique syrup recipe made from pure cane sugar extracted from Louisiana sugarcane. Lee initially sold the syrup door-to-door before establishing the ALAGA Syrup company in 1918 in Birmingham, Alabama.
The company experienced great success as ALAGA syrup grew popular across the South and beyond. The syrup became a staple condiment found on Southern dining tables and in pantries. Sold in iconic clear glass jugs, ALAGA syrup stood out from competitor brands with its distinctive flavor profile and quality ingredients.
For over a century, the ALAGA Syrup company stayed family owned and operated by multiple generations of the Lee family. They continued to produce the syrup using Victor Lee Sr.’s original recipe, never compromising on quality or taste.
The Decline of ALAGA Syrup’s Availability
In the early 2000s into the 2010s, longtime ALAGA syrup fans began noticing it was becoming increasingly hard to find on store shelves. There were several factors that led to the decreasing availability of the iconic Southern syrup brand:
Switch to Mass Production
In 2007, ALAGA Syrup was sold by the Lee family to the Sugar Foods Corporation. This new corporate owner switched away from the traditional small batch production method that Victor Lee Sr. had always used. Instead, ALAGA syrup began being mass produced in much larger quantities. Some enthusiasts claim this change negatively impacted the flavor.
Losing Southern Store Shelf Space
At the same time big box chains like Walmart were expanding in the region, they started prioritizing wide-appeal national brands over smaller regional products. Longtime Southern grocery store chains also went out of business over the years. This made it harder for ALAGA syrup to maintain its once prominent place on Southern grocers’ shelves.
Lack of Marketing Investment
The new corporate owners of the ALAGA syrup brand did not put the same effort into marketing and promotion as the Lee family had. This made it harder for the brand to maintain awareness and loyalty with newer generations.
High Fructose Corn Syrup Controversy
As the negative health impacts of high fructose corn syrup came under scrutiny in the 2000s, some ALAGA syrup varieties switched away from pure cane sugar to using high fructose corn syrup instead. This alienated some fans of the original recipe.
The Disappearance of ALAGA Syrup from Stores
The combined effects of all those factors over the years resulted in it becoming quite difficult to find ALAGA syrup for sale in grocery stores across much of its traditional Southern market.
The brand’s online store locator shows results for just a handful of stores across Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee where the syrup is still available. For comparison, in the early 2000s, ALAGA syrup could be readily found in major grocery store chains throughout those states.
By the mid-2010s, bottles of ALAGA syrup had completely disappeared from many major food retailers. A lot of smaller local grocers also stopped carrying it due to declining customer demand.
No Longer Carried by Major Retailers
Walk into any Publix, Kroger, Piggly Wiggly, or Walmart store today, and you will likely find no ALAGA syrup on the shelves. It cannot be found at big box discount retailers like Costco or Sam’s Club either. Even Southern-founded chains like Winn Dixie, Harris Teeter, and Food Lion no longer carry ALAGA syrup at most locations.
Scarcity at Smaller Local Retailers
Independent local Southern grocers were once reliable places to buy ALAGA syrup. But as distribution to these smaller retailers decreased over the years, fewer continue to carry ALAGA syrup today. The brand’s online store locator tool suggests only a small handful of these local stores may still sell ALAGA syrup in limited regions.
Low Online Availability
One can no longer readily purchase ALAGA syrup online from Amazon or major grocery delivery services like Instacart or FreshDirect. The brand’s own website does have an online store, but quantities are often limited. ALAGA syrup mainly only appears on eBay when sold by private third-party sellers. This low internet availability makes purchasing ALAGA syrup online a challenge.
Is ALAGA Syrup Discontinued?
With ALAGA syrup’s clear disappearance from store shelves and low availability online, some have logically wondered if ALAGA syrup has been discontinued entirely.
However, according to the current owners Sugar Foods Corporation, ALAGA syrup has not been discontinued. It is still being manufactured and distributed on a limited basis to select retailers. This suggests ALAGA syrup’s disappearance is due to low supply and distribution rather than it being permanently discontinued.
Still Manufactured in Small Batches
Though no longer at the original Birmingham plant, ALAGA syrup continues to be produced in Georgia. Per the company, they still use Victor Lee Sr.’s original small batch process and recipe. However, production quantities are low compared to ALAGA’s heyday.
Company Insists It’s Still Available
Sugar Foods Corporation remains adamant that ALAGA syrup is still available for purchase through its online store and some retailers. The company claims you just have to search a little harder to find it these days. But fans counter that it’s nearly impossible to locate in stores.
Could Get Revived Someday
If there is enough consumer interest and demand, there is always the possibility ALAGA syrup distribution could expand again to make the syrup easier to find. Nostalgic food brands sometimes get revived by a new owner willing to invest in their manufacture and marketing. For now, though, ALAGA syrup’s long-term future remains uncertain.
Where You Can Still Find ALAGA Syrup
Though extremely difficult, it is still possible to track down bottles of ALAGA syrup if you know where to look and get lucky. Here are a few places where ALAGA syrup sightings have been reported over the last couple years:
Some Small Local Grocers
Your best bet is calling around to older, independent grocers in small Southern towns. Some lucky shoppers occasionally still spot ALAGA syrup on the shelves at select rural grocers. But you’ll have to ask, as it likely won’t be on display.
Online Via Official Company Website
The official ALAGA syrup website has an online store that claims to offer the syrup for sale. However, it often shows as sold out or has limited stock available. Persistence over time may pay off for those looking to buy ALAGA syrup online.
eBay
There are usually a few listings for ALAGA syrup bottles being resold on eBay by independent sellers. Prices are often marked up well beyond retail cost due to rarity. But if you want ALAGA syrup no matter what, eBay is an option.
Antique Stores or Flea Markets
There is a chance you may stumble across the iconic glass ALAGA syrup jugs in some antique shops or flea markets, especially in the South. It’s rare, but could happen if you get lucky. Of course, the syrup may be past its prime if too old.
Amazon or Walmart Third Party Sellers
Once in a blue moon, some bottles of ALAGA syrup appear for resale on Amazon, Walmart.com, or other sites via independent third-party marketplace sellers. However, it sells out extremely fast whenever it pops up.
Reasons People Still Seek Out ALAGA Syrup
Given the difficulty involved, you may wonder why people continue to search for ALAGA syrup when there are plenty of more easily obtained syrups on the market. There are some core reasons true ALAGA fans won’t give up their quest:
Nostalgia
Many who grew up with ALAGA syrup have fond memories that make them nostalgic for that original flavor experience. They associate it with family breakfasts, holiday meals, and other meaningful moments.
Heritage and Tradition
For people who value Southern food heritage, ALAGA syrup represents a century-old tradition. Its history and status as a legacy Southern brand make it appeal to those who prize regional tradition.
Unique Flavor Profile
Aficionados claim there is no syrup quite like ALAGA – it has a distinctive rich, almost smoky flavor. Lovers of this taste profile say common mass-market syrups can’t compare.
Family Recipes
Many Southern families have treasured recipes calling specifically for ALAGA syrup. Substituting another syrup just doesn’t provide the same flavor those nostalgic recipes require.
Local Pride
Since it originated in Alabama, some loyal Southerners seek out ALAGA syrup to support iconic local brands from their state. To them, ALAGA syrup represents a prideful part of home.
Alternatives to ALAGA Syrup
Since ALAGA can be so hard to find these days, some former fans have had to reluctantly find substitute syrups. Here are a few alternatives to consider if you can’t locate any ALAGA:
Steen’s Cane Syrup
Like ALAGA, Steen’s is a Southern cane syrup with a long history. It has a thicker, darker flavor than ALAGA but makes a reasonable substitute. Steen’s remains widely available in stores and online.
Lyle’s Golden Syrup
Lyle’s Golden Syrup is a British product made from sugar cane that approximates ALAGA’s flavor profile. It’s lighter in color and thinner in texture than ALAGA, but has a similar sweetness.
Aunt Jemima Original Syrup
Now rebranded as Pearl Milling Company Syrup, Aunt Jemima’s original (not lite) formula is thick and has a molasses-like quality somewhat evocative of ALAGA. It’s obviously still very easy to buy.
Vermont Maple Syrup
Though more expensive and distinct in flavor, pure maple syrup can replicate ALAGA’s thickness and replace it in recipes. Dark, robust maple syrup comes closest to ALAGA’s rich sugar cane taste.
Homemade Cane Syrup
Some dedicated do-it-yourselfers have tried to recreate ALAGA at home by making simple syrups from pure cane sugar. It takes effort but allows control over getting the flavor profile close to ALAGA.
The Bottom Line – Is ALAGA Syrup Still Available?
In summary, while ALAGA syrup is increasingly scarce compared to its heyday, it can still occasionally be found if you search hard enough and get lucky. A small but devoted fanbase keeps demand alive for this iconic Southern syrup. So while difficult to find these days, true ALAGA syrup has not completely disappeared – at least not yet.
The future availability of ALAGA syrup remains unclear. For now, fans cling to hope that ALAGA will live on, while finding acceptable substitutes to fill the void left by their favored syrup’s absence on store shelves. But if nostalgic cravings for that authentic ALAGA taste ever fade away, the brand could potentially fade into Southern food history.
