Foxon Park root beer

Background information: (from the website): "Foxon Park Beverages, Inc. was founded in 1922 in East Haven, Connecticut by Matteo Naclerio, an immigrant from Italy. He quickly embraced the entrepreneurial spirit of his era and decided to open up a beverage company called “Foxon Park,” named after the street on which it resided at the time. Home delivery and a vast variety of flavors were the key to success back then, and unique flavors such as Iron Brew (a drink made famous in Scotland), Gassosa (a lemon flavored Italian soda), Birch Beer, Root Beer, and many others set Foxon Park apart from the vast competition. Ownership has been passed from generation to generation and still remains in the family today, continuing the tradition that was started so long ago."

"Although much has changed over the years, the recipe has remained the same. Using only the best ingredients, including real cane sugar, Foxon Park has become a drink of choice throughout many parts of Connecticut and has started to garner interest in other parts of the country as well. Thanks to its ever growing distribution radius, this soda has been spotted in restaurants as far west as California and as far south as Florida."


Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Foxon Park Beverages, INC. East Haven, Conn 06513 CT.  130 calories, 34g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top.  http://www.foxonpark.com


Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, and sodium benzoate.


My thoughts: Whoa!  There is some wintergreen in this thing and it's pretty strong.  The initial flavor is fairly weak in the rootiness, but I there are some spices in there but it's hard to single them out with the overwhelming mint.  Not only does it dominate the upfront flavor, but the aftertaste as well.  It's certainly not a well balanced mix of flavors.

I do like the crispness of the carbonation.  It's strong and a bit prickly, just how I like my CO₂.  Of course, high carbonation usually means less smooth, which is the case here, but not negatively so.  There is still a hint of creaminess and I think it works well.  The sugar seems to be just about right too, not leaving the dreaded coating behind that some of the more poorly sweetened beverages can.

Unfortunately for this root beer, it just doesn't have what it takes in the flavor department.  With a lack or rootiness and an overabundance of wintergreen, it's unable to take advantage of the strengths offered by the other criteria, which is too bad.


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