Judge For Yourself! root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Judge For Yourself Root Beer is crafted for those who appreciate the true, unadulterated essence of a classic fountain root beer. We put the power back in your hands, relying on traditional craftsmanship and a blend of natural spices to deliver a verdict of undeniable quality.

Every batch honors artisanal brewing methods, marrying the deep, earthy tones of classic root bark with the bright aromatic lifts of star anise and spicy ginger. We rest our case."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Real Soda in Real Bottles, Gardena, CA. 190 calories, 40g sugar. Brown glass bottle with twist off top. https://www.realsoda.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sodium Benzoate (preservative).

My thoughts: Since I'm obviously a lawyer (okay, I saw a movie about a lawyer once, so that's close enough), I think I'm well within my rights to execute summary judgement on this root beer. No need to bring this to a jury. I can determine whether this root beer goes free or gets a "straight to root beer prison" decree.

Okay, I'm not unhappy with the initial rooty flavor. It has a decent amount of that traditional rooty sassafras taste with a bit of vanilla. It's pleasant, though not necessarily unique. The aftertaste leaves behind a good amount of that flavor, with a slight wintergreen hint. I didn't really feel the ginger that the website mentions, but a maybe I'm just used to the much bigger ginger kick from my ginger beers.

After several complete carbonation failures in a row, I'm happy to report that I judge this one just fizzy enough! It has a mild effervescence, not super aggressive, but it maintains that level through nearly the entire bottle, tapering off slightly at the end, but still decent. This one has a good sweetness level that might feel a tad on the sugary side, but not unpleasantly so. With the more laid back carbonation, this doesn't really froth up with a foamy feel, but the tiny carbonation helps it feel smooth.

After reviewing the evidence on behalf of this root beer, I render my final verdict of: Guilty...of being good. It's a pleasant root beer that won't knock your socks off (that would be 2nd degree assault), nor does it scream at you (disturbing the peace) with new and exciting spice formulations. The carbonation won't stab (attempted murder) at your tongue with bubbles either. So it might not excel in any category, but it's solid all around. Overall, I'm happy with this one.

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

carbonation: B-

Surf City, USA root beer

Background information: BrewBakers is a pub and brewery located in Huntington Beach, California. The location is showing up as permanently closed, so this may not be produced any longer.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Brewed for BrewBakers, Huntington Beach, CA. n/a calories, n/a g sugar. Glass bottle with pry off top. https://www.averysoda.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated spring water, sugar, raw honey, artificial flavor, vanilla.

My thoughts: This root beer is actually somewhat local to me, so it's fun to try one from around here. The "Surf City, USA" name makes me think of The Beach Boys, and all the fun, energy, and good times they would have, so I'm expecting this root beer to live up to that image.

The flavor of this one is a decent, rooty sassafras with a noticeable honey flavor and some vanilla. While the flavor is pretty strong, it does fade away fairly quickly, with the aftertaste mostly just a diminished version of the initial flavor. I really like what the honey is doing to the aftertaste, though. And I don't necessarily taste wintergreen, but I am feeling the slightest cooling sensation, which I like.

The bottle I got was pretty flat. It has a tiny bit of carbonation at first, but was pretty much totally flat about halfway though the bottle. I'm not sure if this is maybe some old stock since they are no longer in business, which may explain the low carbonation. Sweetness is really good, and I like that the honey is pulling some double duty as a flavor and a sweetener. While it does leave a sugary feel, it leans towards the honey side and doesn't seem as objectionable. Since it is so flat, I have a hard time judging smoothness, but it does have a semi-thick consistency (as opposed to watery and light); not syrupy or anything, just it has some body to it.

The words "Surf City" bring to mind the rolling waves and active ocean, which to me, would be a soda with lots of carbonation making the liquid feel alive and energetic. Instead, we get more of a flat pond, which I find disappointing. I really do like the flavor, even if it's just a honey-enhanced basic formula, lacking some of the wider range of spices that normally get me excited. This one is different enough, however, from a standard root beer that I'd like to give it another try and maybe I'll get one from a fizzier batch if that's possible.

Rating: B-
flavor: B+
aftertaste: B+
sweetness: A
smoothness: n/a

carbonation: F+

Avery's root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Herman F. Avery began making soda in the red barn on Corbin Avenue in the summer of 1904.

Avery's quickly became known for its variety of flavors, especially the Cream, Birch Beer, Root Beer and Ginger Ale.

Using a horse pulled wagon, Mr. Avery delivered soda to the homes and stores in and around New Britain, Connecticut, and it wasn't until 1914 that he purchased his first delivery truck.

This 100-year tradition of old-fashioned customer service continues today and Avery's commitment to a quality product has earned a loyal following across the country.

Our sodas are still handcrafted using methods and recipes from generations ago including real cane sugar and the finest quality ingredients.

Each flavor is carefully made in small batches and is packaged only in glass bottles to preserve the wonderful old-fashioned flavor."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Avery's Bottling Works, New Britain, Conn. 06052. 150 calories, 38g sugar. Clear glass bottle with twist off top. https://www.averysoda.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Caramel Color, and Sodium Benzoate (a preservative).

My thoughts: With an old timey label design, I want this root beer to transport me to the past, with root beer made with real spices and natural ingredients. With no flux capacitor nor a DeLorean to take me back in time, I must rely on this root beer to break the known laws of physics for me. Will it leave me saying, "Great Scott!" or will it end up being the Biff of root beers? Let's take it for a spin and see if I really will "Always ask for Avery's".

The flavor has a decent, upfront rooty sassafras taste that we all know with vanilla tones. There really isn't much else in the spice department that stands out. The aftertaste, as the main flavor fades away, gives me the slightest hint of wintergreen, but only the tiniest amount.

Carbonation is not at all detectable in the bottle I got. Old stock? Perhaps. But with a lack of any manufacture or best before date on the bottle, I just have to assume this is how the root beer is. So a complete failure in the carbonation department. Sweetness is okay and doesn't feel too syrupy. I'll have to leave the smoothness rating empty, as I can't truly judge it in the complete absence of any effervescent attributes.

Well, just as Doc Brown managed to steal the plutonium from the Libyan nationalists, it appears somebody stole the CO2 from this root beer, leaving the carbonation lower than Biff's IQ. Beyond that, the flavor is pretty much just a generic, run of the mill root beer with nothing special to offer. Too bad I can't go back in time and warn myself not to ask for Avery's That said, it's not awful or anything, just not one I'd grab considering all the other options I have.

Rating: C-
flavor: C-
aftertaste: C-
sweetness: B
smoothness: n/a

carbonation: F-