Summit root beer

Background information: (from the website) "In 1961, the Albrecht Family founded the world’s first discount grocery store in Germany. 16 years later in 1976, we opened our first ALDI store in Iowa. Today, with our ALDI headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, we have grown to more than 2,000 stores across 36 states with over 25,000 employees."

The root beer is a seasonally available item.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Dist. & sold exclusively by: Aldi, Batavia, IL 60510. 160 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. www.aldi.us

Ingredients: Carbonated water, pure cane sugar, sodium benzoate (preservative), citric acid, natural and artificial flavors.


My thoughts: I've recently discovered the cost saving grocer, Aldi. Little did I know they had their own root beer until I was browsing the aisles the other day and came across one I hadn't seen before. The great question is, will this root beer reflect its basement bargain origins, or will it punch above its grocery store weight? We shall see directly!

This one has a prominent mint flavor right out of the gate, which usually isn't something I care for, as they often seem a bit toothpasty for me. But this one manages to have a fairly strong mint without the dental care feel. This is likely helped by the strong, rooty sassafras flavor that follows right behind. There isn't a whole lot of separation of the spices, so I'm not picking out anything specific beyond vanilla. The aftertaste is pleasant, with the flavor sticking around for quite a while.

All's not totally well, as the carbonation is a bit of a letdown. It doesn't come across flat, but the CO2 is definitely subdued and the bubbles don't prickle on the tongue, so it's moderately weak. On the plus side, it seems nice and creamy, no doubt aided by the less than exuberant effervescent qualities. But the creaminess isn't just a lack of carbonation, but offers a semi-thick feel, almost like a little bit of vanilla ice cream has been mixed in. Sweetness is on point, as the thicker, creamy feel might make it prone to leaving an overly sugary coating in my mouth, but it doesn't leave that sort of feeling.

Well, color me impressed. This is a stout root beer, offering hardy flavor and a nicely creamy sensation. It isn't the most complex flavor palate, but I think it offers a good root beer experience. The main thing really holding it back is the less than stellar carbonation, which could use a bit more kick to it. I'd certainly recommend giving this one a try if you come across it.

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