poppi Prebiotic root beer (2026)

Background information: (from the website): "Back in 2015, Allison Ellsworth was ready to break up with soda—seriously. 😳 She didn’t love how it made her feel, but the taste? Now that she couldn’t quit.

She knew there could be a better way and got to work in her Dallas kitchen.👩‍🔬 Mixing fruit juices with prebiotics and sparkling water, she created the future of soda.🥤

She bottled her fizzy creation and took it to a local farmers’ market, where a Whole Foods buyer stopped by, took one sip, and instantly knew a soda star was born.🌟

Everything changed when she and her husband, Stephen, got the call from Shark Tank. Nine months pregnant, they boarded a plane to L.A. Next thing they knew, they were on camera making a deal with ‘The Brandfather’ Rohan Oza.🤝

After a bold rebrand and a fresh new name, poppi was officially born.👼

Now, poppi’s stocked in every major retailer nationwide, is expanding internationally, and has made some pretty cool friends along the way, including Post Malone, Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, Russell Westbrook, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Munn, Charli XCX, Alix Earle and more.

In 2025, poppi joined the PepsiCo family and the future has never looked juicier. With fruity and classic flavors, poppi's here to give you the freedom to love soda again, one can at a time. "

(from the can) "Here's the scoop: you're defff gonna want to pick up."

I reviewed this root beer back in 2023, but heard the formula has been changed, so am revisiting it to see if I have a different impression this time around.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by: poppi, Austin, TX 78702. 30 calories, 5g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.drinkpoppi.com/

Ingredients: Sparkling Water, Cassava Root Fiber, Organic Cane Sugar, Natural Flavors, Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Agave Inulin, Stevia Leaf Extract, Natural Tartaric Acid.


My thoughts: As mentioned above, this is a root beer I reviewed back in 2023. I'm not going to revisit that review until after I write up my initial thoughts, so I'll come back to that in the final section here. That said, my experience with probiotic root beers is a bit hit or miss (leaning more towards the "miss" side of things). Let's see if the new formulation for this makes an improved impression on me.

My first impression is that this is a decent root beer. It has a good rooty sassafras taste to it, though right off the bat I can also tell that it's a "healthy" soda, but not necessarily in a bad way. Along with the initial rooty flavor, there's a fair amount of wintergreen minty taste, though it doesn't reach toothpaste levels, instead making a good showing but then backing off fairly quickly. Under these two flavors, there is a hint of vanilla that grows stronger in the aftertaste as the wintergreen fades, leaving a good rooty vanilla taste behind. Oftentimes, these probiotic drinks have a little bit of a vinegar taste to them, but this one seems free of any of that. One note is that this uses Stevia as a sweetener and there is a hint of that taste, but as someone who really dislikes Stevia, I found it to be well hidden under the other flavors.

This isn't the fizziest soda, and the bubbles are more subtle and don't prickle on my tongue, but it doesn't feel flat. While I tend to prefer aggressive carbonation, this may align more with those that prefer a more subdued effervescence. Sweetness is pretty good, but as mentioned above it does have that Stevia taste to it. It does also have some regular sugar, so I think they struck a nice balance of sweetness without too much Stevia to dominate. Lastly, as most probiotic drinks feel a bit thicker and creamier, I found this to be quite smooth, with a satisfying texture to the drink.

Consider me pleasantly surprised. I generally don't care a whole lot for these types of root beers but I ended up pretty pleased with this. It has a good flavor, the Stevia taste is well controlled and minimized, and I like that it lacks that vinegary taste these can sometimes have. For a "healthy" root beer, I think this is quite good and an excellent option for those who are trying to keep their sugar intake low. I also think it's quite a bit better choice over the various diet root beers.

Looking back at my previous review, it looks like they have made some changes to the flavor, as I didn't note any wintergreen before, but did have a tangy vinegar flavor, something that is entirely absent from this updated version. I think all the flavor changes are improvements over the older formulation, and would certainly be more willing to recommend this now.

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

Steelhead root beer

Background information: Steelhead Brewery was a restaurant and brewery in Eugene, OR (and Eugene's first major brewery) that, after 32 years in business, shut their doors in March 2024. Besides their alcohol beverages, Steelhead made a root beer (in partnership with Orca Beverages). I only heard about this root beer over a year after they closed, so I thought I had missed my chance to ever try it.

Alas, a good friend was up in Oregon recently and the restaurant they were eating at had bottles of root beer, so he sent me a picture and asked if I had ever had Steelhead. He thought they might have gotten (and were drinking) the last bottles available, but the restaurant found one more that he brought back for me, so this might be the very last bottle of Steelhead root beer.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Produced and Bottled by Orca Beverage Inc., Mukilteo, WA 98275. 160 calories, 41g sugar. Glass bottle with twist-off top. www.steelheadbrewery.com (no longer functioning) www.orcabeverage.com (not listed on their site)

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Honey, Maltodextrin, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate (A Preservative), Real Vanilla, Phosphoric Acid, Salt.


My thoughts: When I first started this root beer review blog, I decided to grade on an A-to-F scale, with the middle "C average" represented by what I considered to be an all around average root beer; A&W. Now, some may think a "C" is a bad score (in a world where any movie that isn't an "A" is a terrible movie), but it truly represents the average expectation for what a root beer should be. I've been a fan of "dirty sodas" for some time now, but wonder how close a factory produced soda can come to a soda with real dairy creamer in it. Let's see if A&W manage to capture lightning in a bottle.

The forward flavor is rooty, but not particularly strong. I can tell it has honey, which always adds a nice flavor profile and the vanilla is present without being overpowering. The aftertaste lets the honey flavor shine a little more as the fairly weak rooty sassafras flavor doesn't stick around, but unlike a lot of weaker flavored root beers, this one doesn't feel thin, just less intense.

Carbonation is definitely not a strong point on this one, with just a hint of effervescence letting me know that this is supposed to be a carbonated drink. It does not prickle my tongue at all and I can barely detect any bubbles. Sweetness, on the other hand, is dialed in. Between the cane sugar and honey, it doesn't feel too sugary (at least for a sugar-based soda) and the honey also ends up playing double duty by giving it the aforementioned flavor profile. While it's hard to accurately judge smoothness without the accompanying carbonation, I like how thick this root beer feels. Usually the weaker flavored root beers feel thin and watery, but not this. It has a body to it that I really enjoy.

It's too bad that Steelhead Brewery shut down and this root beer will no longer be made. I like the flavor profile (even if it could use a little more rooty oomph) and always enjoy a honey-sweetened and flavored root beer. I can't help but wonder if the lack of carbonation is due to being an older bottle since new ones are no longer getting produced, so would have been interested in revisiting this one. Alas, I'm glad I got to try it, even with some of the shortcomings.

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

A&W root beer float

Background information: New for 2026, A&W are introducing the limited edition flavor, "root beer float". Inspired by the dirty soda trend, this root beer is claimed to offer a creamier experience straight out of the bottle. The copywriting for this launch says, "A&W’s new Root Beer Float soda features a blend of sassafras and licorice-flavored, earthy root beer with the “vanilla-kissed” flavor and creamy mouthfeel of vanilla ice cream. It’s meant to emanate the flavors of a classic diner root beer float—without the need for a spoon."

Unfortunately, for a brand that owns the coveted "rootbeer.com" website, the actual page is sparse (hardly any content) and semi-functional (the side navigation tabs don't work), with just a basic listing of the 4 usual flavors they carry (regular A&W cream soda and root beer, plus the zero sugar versions) and a couple float recipes. No history of the brand, insight into the company, root beer knowledge/facts, or anything noteworthy. When I reviewed A&W 11 years ago, the site had historical information, but that's all been stripped for some corporate, minimum effort, nutrition facts only landing page. What a waste of a website.

Product details: 20 fl. oz.  Produced under the authority of Dr. Pepper/Seven Up Inc., 6425 Hall of Fame Lane, Frisco, TX 76034. 250 calories, 66g sugar (~40g sugar per 12 oz.). Plastic bottle with twist-off top. www.rootbeer.com

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural flavors, maple syrup, natural caramel color, sodium benzoate (as a preservative), and citric acid.


My thoughts: When I first started this root beer review blog, I decided to grade on an A-to-F scale, with the middle "C average" represented by what I considered to be an all around average root beer; A&W. Now, some may think a "C" is a bad score (in a world where any movie that isn't an "A" is a terrible movie), but it truly represents the average expectation for what a root beer should be. I've been a fan of "dirty sodas" for some time now, but wonder how close a factory produced soda can come to a soda with real dairy creamer in it. Let's see if A&W manage to capture lightning in a bottle.

My first thoughts are that this has a weaker than expected rooty sassafras flavor to it. The flavor is a little thin and watery. While the copywriting mentions licorice, I'm not tasting any anise at all, and certainly not the "earthy" aspect. Vanilla, while part of the initial flavor, is the main star of the aftertaste. It has a really good vanilla bean flavor, reminding me of vanilla ice cream. While I like the vanilla, it's unable to replicate the thicker texture that actual cream adds.

I noted in my original A&W review that the carbonation, while adequate, was a little on the weak side and 11 years later I have similar feelings. The bubbles are there, but very tiny and don't prickle at all, which some may favor, but I like my carbonation a little more aggressive. That said, it doesn't feel flat and it stays moderately fizzy through the whole bottle. The sugar levels seem pretty dialed in, with a less syrupy feel to my mouth than the worst offenders, but A&W continues to use high fructose corn syrup instead of sugar cane like the better root beers use. Partially due to the micro bubbles and partially due to the vanilla cream flavor, this has a smooth feel to it, but the lack of a creamy froth does keep it from being an exceptionally smooth drinking experience. It could use a little more foaminess.

Not too far off from their regular root beer, this float version ends up being just an average one. The flavor profile plays it very safe, with little to offer in the way of spice variations other than the vanilla cream. I do think it captures a "float" taste to it, but I think I would just prefer an actual float with the added texture of real ice cream. But it's certainly worth giving a try if you enjoy very vanilla-forward root beers.

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

Bloom Pop root beer float

Background information: (from the website) "When co-founder Mari Llewellyn hit rock bottom mentally and physically, she decided to take ownership of her health by turning to wellness. With the help of her now-husband, Greg, she lost 90 pounds and finally found self-love. Inspired to help other women do the same, Mari created Bloom: high-quality, delicious health supplements designed to help everyone bloom into their best selves."

"All our supplements come in delicious flavors you can’t find anywhere else, so you can enjoy every scoop and stick to your wellness routine with ease. Designed with you in mind, our supplements are made with high-quality, effective ingredients that provide amazing benefits to help you feel your best daily.

With a female founder and female-led team, our mission is to make approachable, delicious, and effective supplements so every woman can bloom into their best self."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Designed by Bloom Nu LLC. Distributed by Nutrabolt, Austin, TX 78746. 20 calories, 3g sugar. Aluminum can. https://bloomnu.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Pear Juice Concentrate, Fruit and Vegetable Juice (color), Prebiotic Xylooligosaccharides, Natural Flavors, Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside M), Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. (Contains 2% juice)

My thoughts: Another "healthy" root beer, these have been popping up like crazy. I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the pre/pro-biotic sodas, but it's a root beer and must be reviewed. Let's see if this continues the trend of ho-hum to downright not appetizing, or finally breaks through to deliver a complete, satisfying root beer experience.

The root beer flavor in the is the real deal. It has a good rooty sassafras base with a decent vanilla mixed in. It does have some of the traditional stevia flavor to it, but I feel like it's well masked and managed, so not too strong. The aftertaste leans toward vanilla with more of the stevia showing through. 

Upon cracking open the can, I was expecting a not too fizzy drink based on the whimper of escaping carbonation, and a moderately weak experience is what I get. It's not flat by any means, but the bubbles aren't very energetic and it feels a bit dull, especially as I neared the end of the can. Sweetness is good, though (as mentioned above) the use of stevia downgrades the flavor experience. Like most pre/pro-biotic sodas, this has a thick texture to it and, combined with the lack of carbonation, makes it very smooth to drink.

Keeping in mind that this is a "healthy" soda, I ended up thinking that it isn't that bad. If somebody offered me a can, I'd take it. As a root beer, it's okay, but it's hard to overcome the basic fact that this isn't a normal soda, so doesn't quite live up to what a real root beer can be. I think I prefer this to most diet root beers, however, so for those looking to cut their sugar intake, I think this is a perfectly valid option. For those looking for a classic root beer soda, however, there are certainly better options.

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

carbonation: D+

Waterloo root beer float

Background information: (from the website) "Waterloo was founded in 2017 with an unwavering commitment to create better-tasting, better-for-you sparkling waters that support a healthy, active lifestyle. We formed a team of people who have worked together on previous ventures, ready to challenge the status quo again."

"We taste everything within a particular flavor profile – dozens of products in supermarkets and restaurants! Then, we bookend our flavor vision for the new sparkling water – from the best in nature (like a ripe, juicy peach) to the more playful and nostalgic (like a peach gummy ring). Our craft then comes into play, layering the flavors with meticulous attention to the nuances of taste and aroma until we hit our bullseye."

"We cast a wide net when we begin creating a new sparkling water, often bringing in 30-50 relevant flavor components.

We mix and taste, allowing time for dozens of such iterations. For most flavors, it’s a 6-9 month process of tweaking flavors to finalize our recipe. Through it all, we are aiming for what we call “sessionability” – easily drinkable, refreshing and enjoyable many times a day."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by Waterloo Sparkling Water Corp, Austin, TX 78702. 0 calories, 0g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.drinkwaterloo.com/

Ingredients: Purified Carbonated Water, Natural Flavors.


My thoughts: This is a new one for me; root beer flavored sparkling water. I'm actually a big fan of sparkling waters and have enjoyed the interesting flavors in Guy Fieri's Flavortown lineup, but am not sure what to expect when combining the lightly flavored carbonated waters with root beer. Well, let's see if this can take the heat, or needs to get out of my kitchen (I know, I'm paraphrasing the wrong person).

This has a good rooty sassafras smell and taste. It's not some other flavor masquerading as a root beer. It legitimately tastes like root beer! Obviously, it's not going to have that super thick root beer taste since it's a sparkling water, but it comes close. It is supported by vanilla tones. The flavor does fade away quickly, but I feel like part of that is this not being sugary, so it doesn't coat and stick to my tongue and mouth the same way regular soda does. And even though it fades, it does so in a light and refreshingly pleasant sort of way.

Like other Waterloo products, this is nice and fizzy with a good amount of bubbles that dance across my tongue. The bubbles are small and not too prickly and the can stays well carbonated as I drink it. Smoothness is a little harder to judge compared to other root beers, in that this doesn't froth up and get creamy, but as a sparkling water, it feels crisp and satisfying. Sweetness is perfect for what this is, with zero sugar and zero artificial sweeteners. If doesn't feel lacking in sweetness unless you want and are comparing it to a traditional soda. But I like it.

This is a very different "root beer" than I'm used to reviewing. In a way, it's not a root beer at all so much as a sparkling soda that's flavored like root beer. I've really grown to prefer sparkling waters over traditional soda, especially when it's hot and I want something cold and refreshing that's going to hydrate me. Getting one that tastes like a good root beer is just a huge bonus and I'm very happy with the flavor they captured. The biggest disappointment is that this is a temporary flavor, so once it's gone, we likely won't see it again. If it stuck around, this would become a staple flavor in my rotation. For those avoiding sugar, I find this way better than any of the diet or other artificial sweetener options. This is one drink that can take the heat.

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

carbonation: A+ 

Sprecher maple root beer (2026)

Background information: (from the website) "Sprecher Brewing Co. has a long history as the oldest Craft Brewery in Milwaukee, and our story is one of devotion to craft, commitment to the community, and a drive to share our fire-brewed sodas and beers with customers nationwide. We grew from an idea in the mind of Randy Sprecher to a Milwaukee craft brewing institution proudly owned by a small group of local investors. This is our story.

Before Randy Sprecher, there were no craft breweries in Milwaukee—only Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz. Randy himself was not in Milwaukee until 1980. Randy grew up on the west coast. He was drafted into the army during the Vietnam war, but due to colorblindness he was sent to work for a general in Augsburg, Germany instead of going to Vietnam.

Randy fell in love with German beers, and he was not able to find anything that compared when he moved back to the U.S. So, he began making his own German beers at home. Homebrewing quickly turned into an obsession for Randy. He was taking classes in Oceanography at Humboldt State when he returned from the service, but he switched to courses that helped him become a better brewer.

In 1972, Randy applied to study fermentation science at UC-Davis and refined his brewing skills to the point of expertise. Then, he perplexed the State of California by applying to establish a licensed brewery—a concept that the state did not understand. Down but not out, Randy secured a post as Supervisor of Brewing Operations at Pabst’s Milwaukee brewery. He packed up everything he owned into a VW Van and moved to Milwaukee.

While he worked at Pabst from 1980 to 1984, Randy held onto his dream of opening his own brewery. He continued homebrewing and saving money. When he lost his job in a big round of layoffs in 1984, Randy took the opportunity to begin building Sprecher Brewing Co. In 1985 Randy opened our first location at 701 W. Oregon St. in Walker’s Point. He hand-built much of the brewery equipment with friends, including the original gas-fired brew kettle. Milwaukeeans have always appreciated a good beer, and Randy’s flagship award-winning beers—the Black Bavarian and Special Amber, quickly became popular.

However, in 1993, a canal retainer wall fell into the Menominee river, and the brewery’s parking lot went down with it. It became difficult to access the brewery after that, so Sprecher began relocating to a renovated elevator cab factory in Glendale, a process that finished in 1995.

Today Sprecher is one of the only breweries in the U.S. that still uses a unique fire-brewing process that caramelizes the flavors to give Sprecher’s craft sodas and beers big bold flavor. The popularity of Sprecher’s unique craft beverages has led to continued expansion of the Glendale, Wisconsin facilities. Sprecher has gone from serving the Milwaukee and Wisconsin area to being distributed to retailers in over twenty states. In February of 2020, Randy Sprecher retired having achieved his dreams. He wanted the company to stay in competent local hands, so he sold it to a small team of Milwaukee investors."

Product details: 16.9 fl. oz.  Sprecher Brewing Co., Glendale, WI 53209. 285 calories, 70g sugar (~50g sugar per 12 oz.). Glass bottle with lever-plunged top. www.sprecherbrewery.com

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural flavors, maple syrup, natural caramel color, sodium benzoate (as a preservative), and citric acid.


My thoughts: Even though it's only been 5 years since I last reviewed this root beer, I thought I'd give this "Collector's Edition" bottling a try to see if it hits any different than the regular 12 oz., twist off bottle cap version. I will note that the store had an advisory for this particular one that notes its less-than-stellar carbonation (they suggested getting a different root beer if carbonation levels are a big deal). Seeing as how it previously earned a "D" rating in carbonation, I don't imagine this could be too much worse. Now, on to the review!

This does not have a very rooty sassafras flavor to it, coming across with a very weak root beer flavor. There is a pretty substantial wintergreen component and it exhibits hints of the sour, fermenting fruit flavor that I occasionally come across with root beers. Under all this is a bit of vanilla and, as I get deeper into the aftertaste, the maple flavor makes an appearance.

If I was disappointed in the weak carbonation before, then the complete absence of any carbonation is an even bigger disappointment. It feels like root beer juice instead of soda. As such, I can't really comment on the smoothness since that's tied into the carbonation, so I'm going to withhold a score on that front. Sweetness is okay, though a little on the sweet side, reflecting its much higher sugar per 12 oz. content than your usual root beer.

Well, while I kind of liked this the last time I reviewed it, I really don't like it this time around. The carbonation got worse (the store warning was correct) and the sickly sweet flavor is not appealing. While I like the bottle design, I'm thinking that maybe this type of top is not conducive to making a good soda.

Rating: D-
flavor: D+
aftertaste: B
sweetness: C-
smoothness: N/A
carbonation: F-

Rocket Fizz root beer (with nutmeg)

Background information: (from the website) "Ryan Morgan and Rich Shane own The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, LLC. It was founded in 2007 by Ryan and Robert (Rob) Powells. Rich joined in 2012 as the company’s CEO.

The original store opened in 2009. The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop is the largest and fastest growing soda pop and candy shop franchise brand in America.

All of the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop locations throughout the U.S.A. and Canada are franchised and are independently owned and operated. Rich, Ryan, and Bob Campbell (our Vice President of Franchising) 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. Brown glass bottle with pry off top. https://www.rocketfizz.com/

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

My thoughts: Rocket Fizz has produced many root beers over the years under a variety of names, but this one is the root beer they deemed worthy of bearing the company name. I've found their root beers to generally be a bit below average, so not a stellar record. So does this one finally break out of the rut of mediocrity, or simply continue the trend? Read on to find out!

The very initial flavor hit brings on the rooty sassafras flavor root beer is known for, but it's a very thin flavor, fading away extremely fast to a more watered down aftertaste. I like the flavor, there's just not enough of it that sticks around. I like what the nutmeg is doing, even if I feel like I smell the nutmeg more than I taste it, but it does add a bit of texture to the flavor profile. There is a bit of vanilla in the flavor as well as wintergreen, with the wintergreen playing a more prominent role in the aftertaste and leaving a cooling sensation behind.

This is a well carbonated root beer from start to finish. While it may not be quite as aggressively bubbly as I like, it presents a solid fizz that won't prickle your tongue too hard, but also not going flat. I like the amount of sweetness and the cane sugar doesn't leave as syrupy of a mouth coating behind. The root beer does foam and froth up a little, so gives it a slightly creamy texture that helps it feel smooth. 

Of all the Rocket Fizz in-house varieties I've tried, this is my favorite so far. Yes, the flavor leaves a bit to be desired (from a strength and longevity standpoint), but I think the basic formulation tastes good. The aftertaste isn't too revealing of new flavors, but with how quickly the flavor dissipates, the aftertaste might be the main profile one ends up tasting. I wouldn't mind drinking this root beer again. I think the nutmeg brings an interesting flavor profile that sets it apart from your average root beer.

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

carbonation: B+