Gale's root beer

Background information: (from the website and the bottle) "I love root beer!” While cooking in England some years ago, my root beer sources dried up and I was forced to do without. So I got a little brown terrier puppy and named him Rootie. When Rootie and I got back to the United States I started making my own root beer to serve in my restaurants. Now I’m pleased to present my best batch ever! Rootie and I know you’ll love it. Enjoy!"

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by Gale's Bread and Butter, Inc., Riverwoods, IL 60015.  160 calories, 41g sugar.  Glass bottle with twist off top. http://www.galegand.com/


Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, caramel color, natural and artificial flavoring, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla extract, phosphoric acid, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate added as preservatives.


My thoughts: Not a very root beery taste, but is an interesting mix of flavors.  The initial flavor has slight root beer connotations, with some ginger mixed in, giving a subdued taste that lacks some of the punch I prefer.  The aftertaste is equally downplayed, with the ginger giving way to the vanilla and cinnamon.  While I would have preferred a little more strength, I really ended up liking what the cinnamon brings to the table.  Sweetness is perfect and didn't leave a sugary residue in my mouth.  Carbonation, like the flavor intensity, could stand to be dialed up a notch.  Or two.  Overall, I wish I liked this root beer better.  I enjoy the different elements it brings to my palate, but they are lacking in intensity, especially the root beer flavor.  This drink is an interesting departure from the usual mix of flavors, however it didn't really blow my skirt back.  Not that I wear a skirt.  But if I did it would be called a "kilt" and it still wouldn't be blown back by this root beer's taste.

Rating: C
flavor: C
aftertaste: C
sweetness: A
smoothness: B
carbonation: C