Slice Prebiotics & Probiotics root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Since ‘84, Slice has been a household favorite. Now, we’re back with a new attitude. Real ingredients. Bold flavors. Gut-friendly benefits. We’ve kept the fizz, ditched the junk, and brought the fun. Slice is the OG soda with a modern twist."

"Prebiotics: Think of prebiotics as the snacks your gut’s good bacteria can’t get enough of. They’re like fuel for the party, keeping the probiotics energized and ready to work their magic. No prebiotics, no party—it’s that simple.

Probiotics: Probiotics are the cool crowd of good bacteria that live in your gut. They’re the ones keeping everything in check—helping with digestion, boosting your mood, and making sure your immune system stays sharp. Basically, they’re the MVPs of your microbiome.

Postbiotics: Postbiotics are the after-party vibes—what’s left after the probiotics have done their thing. These are the health-boosting byproducts that support your immunity, and keep you feeling amazing. Small but mighty, they’re the cherry on top of gut health!"

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Manufactured for Slice, Oceanside, CA 92056. 30 calories, 3g sugar. Aluminum can. https://slicesoda.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Slice Gut Blend (Soluble Vegetable Prebiotic Fiber, Bacillus subtilis DE111, Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347), Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Maple Syrup, Apple Juice (from Concentrate), Natural Flavors, Caramel Color, Organic Vanilla Extract, Stevia Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Kosher Salt.

My thoughts: Yet another pre/pro/post-biotic root beer from the classic Slice brand. Slice used to be a lemon-lime soda (like 7-Up and Sprite) that closed up many years ago, but has been brought back as a "healthy soda" brand. While I'm not big on these types of root beers, I feel it necessary to test and review, so here we go.

This one has a more root beer taste than many of the similar products I've tried. While the rooty sassafras flavor is slightly weak, it isn't overwhelmed by the prebiotic flavored tinge nearly as much as others. There's a bit of vanilla in there as well, but the whole flavor profile -and especially the aftertaste- is a little overwhelmed by the Stevia, something I tend to find with most of the Stevia sweetened beverages. I really don't care for the taste of Stevia and try to avoid drinks with it.

I like that the top popped with the sound of bubbles and this doesn't disappoint in the carbonation department. The bubbles themselves are smaller and not too aggressive and, while I like super aggressive effervescence, this one is still satisfying. Unlike some other prebiotics, this one doesn't have a thick texture to it, feeling a bit more like a traditional soda. It's not particularly creamy, but smooth enough. As I mentioned earlier, it has a definite Stevia taste to it so, while appropriately sweet, I don't like the quality of that sweetness.

I'll admit, I'm a little disappointed in this. I got a few cans of other flavors of Slice a couple months ago just to try out since they were on sale for 50 cents (root beer wasn't yet available at that time), and I thought they were fairly decent. As a root beer, however, I don't think they quite deliver. If you're more Stevia tolerant than I am, then this is a root beer worth trying. For those of us on the anti-Stevia bandwagon, I'd say you should avoid this.

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

carbonation: B+ 

Beehive root beer

Background information: (from the website) "The Beehive Pub & Grill is proud to serve Logan with crave-worthy comfort food, signature cocktails, and a place to gather. Come hungry, leave happy — Always Good Eats."

Product details: 24 fl. oz.  Made by The Beehive Pub and Grill, Logan, UT 84321. On tap. Paper fountain cup and plastic lid (as reviewed). https://thebeehivegrill.com/

Ingredients: N/A

My thoughts: This is another less traditional root beer review from me, as this is one only available at a small pub and sold as a fountain style drink, though you can buy an unsealed 64oz glass bottled "growler" and get it filled/refilled. Either way, I was excited to see a new root beer to try while out of town, so here are my thoughts.

The initial flavor is excellent, with a very strong rooty sassafras taste that is one of the boldest root beer flavors I've tried. It's not especially complex, with the usual vanilla notes and a very subtle wintergreen, but it is a really good one. The aftertaste didn't reveal any additional spices or flavors I was detecting in my initial impression, but it's such a pleasing taste that I don't mind.

Carbonation is decent, with bubbles that stick around through the whole 24 oz cup (a decent chunk of that was ice, as most fountain drinks tend to be). The bubbles aren't especially strong and I would have liked a little more aggressiveness from them, but it never felt flat. I thought the sweetness was dialed in and didn't leave me felling overly syrupy feeling. It does have a heavy creaminess to it, so felt smooth going down.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with this. The bold, up front flavor was very pleasing, even if it did lack some complexity. The carbonation was only a moderate letdown, though was never outright disappointing. It's too bad they don't offer this bottled for people to take home and enjoy at their leisure (though you can get it in that large, unsealed bottle I mentioned earlier) and they do also offer it in kegs. If you ever find yourself in Logan, UT, I think it's worth a stop to try out.

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

carbonation: C+

Rocky Mountain root beer (2026)

Background information: (from the website): "Rocky Mountain Root Beer was the idea that started it all.  We wanted to make the best flavored, all natural root beer available. We set out to create a flavor that evokes memories of the old West.  Think warm vanilla and caramel notes that glide along a creamy cloud of delicious sassafras flavor.  We also add a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg to give a grounded earthiness that ends with a spicy finish.  We hope you enjoy the end result of our quest to create the best root beer made.

Rocky Mountain Soda Company was created with one goal in mind, quality. We strive to make the most unique, best tasting, highest quality, all natural soda available. We achieve our goal by using only the finest all natural ingredients.

We custom craft each of our flavors in small batches and package every bottle by hand.  The benefit of our efforts is realized in every sip you take. We thank you for the opportunity to present our soda for your drinking pleasure. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do…Cheers!"

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Rocky Mountain Soda Co, 4420 Glencoe Street, Denver, Colorado 80216.  140 calories, 36g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. http://www.rockymountainsoda.com


Ingredients: Sparkling water, organic cane sugar, natural flavor extracts, non-GMO citric acid.


My thoughts: I initially reviewed this root beer brand back in 2015, about ten and a half years ago. I recently picked up another bottle and noticed that the ingredients list has changed, so figured I should give the new formulation a try and a new rating to reflect the current offering.

Wow, this stuff is minty! There is so much wintergreen that it overwhelms the other flavors, barely tasting like a root beer at first. A little further into the bottle and the rootiness starts to surface, but the flavor is still dominated by mint. The aftertaste tastes of sassafras, vanilla, and I feel like the slightest hint of anise. Unfortunately, the mint continues to be the strongest flavor rather than just a supporting one.

My very first swig had a nice, fizzy effervescence that was delightful. My second swig, less so. By the fourth, it was basically flat, with hardly any carbonation. Very disappointing. Sweetness is great, with this being sweetened with cane sugar rather than corn syrup. Zero complaints there. It's hard to say if this drink is inherently smooth since there is no carbonation to speak of.

Overall, two things really kill the score for me: over the top wintergreen and dead carbonation. I think the flavors and spices they use are great and that this would be a far better root beer if they dialed back the mint. I shouldn't feel like I'm drinking toothpaste. The total lack of carbonation only a few swigs into the bottle is a total fail. I almost never have one go so flat that fast. This is a bummer, as Rocky Mountain was a pretty solid root beer before, but now I can't recommend it any longer.

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