All Natural (Local 1860) root beer

Background information: This root beer is manufactured for Big Bear, CA based clothing retailer Local 1860. They have a very sparse website with no real info about their root beer on it, though their social media posts state that "Big Bears All Natural California Root Beer. Starts as a Root Beer ends as a cream soda."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Bottled under the authority of We Wandered West by LA Bottleworks, Montebello, CA 90640. 160 calories, 40g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top.. https://www.local1860.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural flavors, sodium benzoate (to preserve freshness), caramel color, phosphoric acid.

My thoughts: I didn't realize until going to review this "All Natural" branded root beer that it was one I've been intending to get from Local 1860 the next time I found myself out in Big Bear, CA (usually only once every few years). But apparently this is made specifically for this retailer and I just happened to find it at their Los Angeles based supplier/distributor.

I was surprised just upon opening up this bottle, as I was met with a thick, almost smokey-like scent that reminds me of molasses and brown sugar. My first taste reveals a strong flavor anchored by the molasses scents I first detected with some vanilla undertones. The aftertaste is a deep caramelized flavor that reveals a bit more of the vanilla and almost a butterscotch flavor.

The carbonation isn't too fizzy, relying more on a low-key effervescence that persists throughout the bottle, but doesn't necessarily tickle my tongue. It's a fairly sweet root beer and leaves a faint sugary coating, but not out of the ordinary for a soda. It does feel very smooth, though, with a very pleasant heaviness to the texture.

I'm very pleased with this and immediately after finishing the bottle, wished I had more. While it doesn't have the strongest rooty sassafras flavor, I really like what they are doing with the other flavors. It's an interesting take on root beer that may not line up exactly with what is traditionally expected, but not so far out that I would consider it to be a non-root beer. Like many others I've tried, I would have liked to see a bit more aggressiveness from the carbonation, but I do like mine with a little extra bite. This is certainly worth giving a try.

Rating: A-
flavor: A
aftertaste: A-
sweetness: B+
smoothness: A

carbonation: B-

Slice Prebiotics & Probiotics root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Since ‘84, Slice has been a household favorite. Now, we’re back with a new attitude. Real ingredients. Bold flavors. Gut-friendly benefits. We’ve kept the fizz, ditched the junk, and brought the fun. Slice is the OG soda with a modern twist."

"Prebiotics: Think of prebiotics as the snacks your gut’s good bacteria can’t get enough of. They’re like fuel for the party, keeping the probiotics energized and ready to work their magic. No prebiotics, no party—it’s that simple.

Probiotics: Probiotics are the cool crowd of good bacteria that live in your gut. They’re the ones keeping everything in check—helping with digestion, boosting your mood, and making sure your immune system stays sharp. Basically, they’re the MVPs of your microbiome.

Postbiotics: Postbiotics are the after-party vibes—what’s left after the probiotics have done their thing. These are the health-boosting byproducts that support your immunity, and keep you feeling amazing. Small but mighty, they’re the cherry on top of gut health!"

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Manufactured for Slice, Oceanside, CA 92056. 30 calories, 3g sugar. Aluminum can. https://slicesoda.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Slice Gut Blend (Soluble Vegetable Prebiotic Fiber, Bacillus subtilis DE111, Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347), Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Maple Syrup, Apple Juice (from Concentrate), Natural Flavors, Caramel Color, Organic Vanilla Extract, Stevia Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Kosher Salt.

My thoughts: Yet another pre/pro/post-biotic root beer from the classic Slice brand. Slice used to be a lemon-lime soda (like 7-Up and Sprite) that closed up many years ago, but has been brought back as a "healthy soda" brand. While I'm not big on these types of root beers, I feel it necessary to test and review, so here we go.

This one has a more root beer taste than many of the similar products I've tried. While the rooty sassafras flavor is slightly weak, it isn't overwhelmed by the prebiotic flavored tinge nearly as much as others. There's a bit of vanilla in there as well, but the whole flavor profile -and especially the aftertaste- is a little overwhelmed by the Stevia, something I tend to find with most of the Stevia sweetened beverages. I really don't care for the taste of Stevia and try to avoid drinks with it.

I like that the top popped with the sound of bubbles and this doesn't disappoint in the carbonation department. The bubbles themselves are smaller and not too aggressive and, while I like super aggressive effervescence, this one is still satisfying. Unlike some other prebiotics, this one doesn't have a thick texture to it, feeling a bit more like a traditional soda. It's not particularly creamy, but smooth enough. As I mentioned earlier, it has a definite Stevia taste to it so, while appropriately sweet, I don't like the quality of that sweetness.

I'll admit, I'm a little disappointed in this. I got a few cans of other flavors of Slice a couple months ago just to try out since they were on sale for 50 cents (root beer wasn't yet available at that time), and I thought they were fairly decent. As a root beer, however, I don't think they quite deliver. If you're more Stevia tolerant than I am, then this is a root beer worth trying. For those of us on the anti-Stevia bandwagon, I'd say you should avoid this.

Rating: D+
flavor: D+
aftertaste: D+
sweetness: C-
smoothness: C+

carbonation: B+