Chumlee root beer

Background information: (from the website): "The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, LLC was founded in 2007 by Robert (Rob) Powells and Ryan Morgan and in 2012 Rich Shane became the company CEO. The original store opened in 2009. The Ventura, CA and Portland OR locations are company-owned. The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop is the largest and fastest growing soda pop and candy shop franchise brand in America. Besides the two company owned stores all of the other Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop locations throughout the U.S.A. and Canada are franchised and are independently owned and operated. As the creators and co-owners of the entire Rocket Fizz system, Rob and Ryan carefully select each Rocket Fizz franchise store operator."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Intellectual property of and bottled by the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, LLC., P.O. Box 5400, Incline Village, NV 89450. 170 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with pry off top. www.rocketfizz.com

Ingredients: Carbonated artisan spring water, pure cane sugar, citric acid, ester gum, caramel color and natural flavors. No preservatives: flash pasteurized for safety.


My thoughts: Okay, I've seen the occasional episode of Pawn Stars and at least know who Chumlee is, but why he needed his own root beer, I'll never know. Seeing as how this comes from the Rocket Fizz lineup of root beers, I have a suspicion that it'll be another generic repackaging of their standard formula. I haven't had any of the Rocket Fizz root beers side by side to compare directly, but looking over my reviews they seem to provide a very similar experience, so maybe one day I'll do a side by side to see if they are all the same with just a different label, or if there is actually some customization of their basic recipe for each one. But today is not that day, so onto the Chumlee review I go.

Up front, this is a wintergreen minty root beer, as the mint is immediately noticeable as a main flavor rather than just an aftertaste. It blends with the usual sassafras root beer flavor in a decent mix, but with those two absolutely dominating the flavor profile, don't leave room for other more subtle spices to make themselves known. There is a little hint of vanilla in the aftertaste, but this is primarily a wintergreen flavor profile, with the minty taste and cooling effects lingering behind long after drinking it.

The carbonation is nice and crispy, though there's not as much of it as I would like. It doesn't feel flat, by any means, but it's not as infused with the sharp bite of the bubbles as I prefer, though I do tend to like my carbonation on the more aggressive side. Sweetness is fine, though it's slightly hard to say if it feels less syrupy because the cooling effect of the mint may cover up my ability to feel the more subtle sugary sensation. It doesn't seem to be as creamy as some of my favorites, but again, I wonder how much of that is my mouth being cooled/numbed by the strength of the mint.

This isn't a bad root beer by any means. In fact, I thought it was fairly good, slightly above average. I'm not a huge fan of extremely minty root beers, as I prefer a little more subtlety so I can enjoy the other flavors. Even so, I did enjoy this one and if you love minty root beers, then this might be what you're looking for. This also seems to be a fair bit mintier than past Rocket Fizz root beers, so I guess I can safely say that they do allow for variation in their root beer recipes, so at least all their drinks are just rebadges of the same thing.

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

Jackson Hole Soda Buckin' root beer

Background information: (from the website) "We produce incredibly delicious, high quality sodas that honor the pioneer spirit of the old west. When it’s time to relax after a long day in the saddle, there’s nothin’ better than knocking back one of our old-time soda fountain favorites. Our flavors are as varied as the sun setting over our beautiful Grand Tetons and will bring a smile to your face!"

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Bottled for JH Soda, 970 W. Broadway, Suite E, PO Box 30000, #87, Jackson, WY 83002, (307) 920-0018. 198 calories, 53g sugar.  Glass bottle with twist off top.  http://www.jacksonholesoda.com/


Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, quillaia extract, caramel color, red #40, citric acid and sodium benzoate (to preserve flavor).


My thoughts: Jackson Hole is known for it's nature and outdoor life, which leads me to think that this root beer should also reflect the natural flavors and spices that can make a great root beer.  Well, if Cert's wintergreen mints are your idea of natural flavor, then this meets the criteria.  For me, not so much.  There is so much mint that the root beer flavor is quickly overwhelmed and the aftertaste is all wintergreen with some licorice/anise rearing its head.  I like a bit of mint, but this is just way too much.  Sweetness is fine (surprising, given the much higher than average sugar content), but the wintergreen still makes it seem candy-like, while the carbonation is average.  So if you like your root beers to  leave you feeling like you just brushed your teeth, then this one might be for you.  I, however, like to keep my teeth brushing and root beer drinking experiences separate (but equal!).


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

Sparky's root beer

Background information: (from the bottle label) "Leading the root beer revival.  Sparky's Fresh Draft Root Beer is lovingly kettle-brewed in small batches using the finest ingredients.  After home brewing our delicious family recipe for many years, it is now available to you!"


Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Manufactured by Knox Brewing, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. 831-649-0529.  ? calories, ?g sugar.  Glass bottle with pry off top.  www.sparkysrootbeer.com


Ingredients: Carbonated filtered water, pure cane sugar, honey, natural and imitation flavorings, spices, sodium benzoate to preserve freshness, phosphoric acid and caramel color.


My thoughts: "Get to da choppa!"  Upon opening, a strong minty sensation wafts up to my olfactory nerves, along with a sharp root beer scent.  Wow, this has a lot of flavor going on.  The initial wave is primarily the mint (wintergreen?) and root beer, and is extremely strong.  This is followed by a similarly strong aftertaste, with mint continuing to dominate and some licorice undertones, while the root beer flavor is unfortunately minimized (or maybe just overpowered).  All this mint is a bit overwhelming, but at least it doesn't feel like toothpaste, like some other mint root beer's are prone to do.  Carbonation is slightly low, lending a moderately flat feel.  On the flip side, this is a smooth root beer, feeling rich and creamy.  This is the Arnold Schwarzenegger of root beers: extremely strong, in your face, none too subtle, and certainly a specific stylistic choice.  Just as Arnold is a great choice for action and comedy, but poor for drama, sentiment, and nuance, so this root beer is similarly handicapped by its choices.  I feel it is interesting and certainly different, which I enjoy, but at the same time I feel that it is a root beer that I want only on very specific occasion rather than an excellent all-around beverage.


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