Bayou Bob is the nickname of Bob Popplewell, a rattlesnake and turtle rancher who owns and operates of Bayou Bob's Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch in Santo, Texas, located approximately 60 miles north of Fort Worth. Popplewell was arrested by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on March 24, 2008 for selling vodka bottled with rattlesnakes which he marketed as a supposed, "ancient Asian elixir."
Popplewell will contest the charges on the grounds that his product is intended to be a healing tonic rather than an alcoholic beverage. He contends that vodka is used strictly for its preservative properties, and compares the final product to cough syrup. Local authorities are hesitant to accept that explanation, asserting that the sale of any kind of liquor requires a state permit.
Fast Facts:
- Authorities seized 429 bottles of snake vodka and one bottle of snake tequila
- Each bottle sells for $23
- Gross profit would be nearly $10,000
- Charges: selling alcohol without a license (misdemeanor) and possessing alcohol with intent to sell (misdemeanor)
- If convicted, faces up to a year in county jail and $1,000 in fines
- Insists that Asian customers believe that his product has medicinal properties
- Is also Texas' largest exporter of live turtles to Asia
Bayou Bob Blogs and Commentaries
Blog Post: Rattlesnake Vodka is Meaner than Bacon Vodka (March 16, 2008)
Blog Post: Texas rattlesnake vodka has a little bit of a bite (March 21, 2008)
Google Blog Search: Bayou Bob
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