Mug Vanilla Howler Float root beer

Background information: Originally started as Belfast root beer in 1940, made by the Belfast Beverage Company that had started making beverages in 1877 (and Belfast was acquired by New Century Beverage Co. in 1936), the name changed to Belfast Old Fashioned Mug Root Beer in the 1950s before being shortened to just "Mug". Pepsi then acquired New Century in 1986, where Mug is still produced.

Product details: 20 fl. oz.  Bottled under the authority of New Century Beverage Company LLC, Purchase, NY 10577. 260 calories, 71g sugar (160 calories, 43g sugar per 12 oz). Clear plastic bottle with twist off top. https://www.mugrootbeer.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, natural and artificial flavor, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preserves freshness), citric acid, calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor).

My thoughts: Mug was one of my staple root beers growing up. It was easy to find at the grocery store and, as I remember it, was a pretty good root beer (though I now realize I have overlooked Mug for my reviews, so I'll have to track down some of the regular stuff). Back to this one, it was released just a couple days ago and I stopped by a gas station on a trip and looked for it, but there was none. After using the restroom, I walked by the coolers again on the way out and glanced over only to see it in there. In fact, it was added so recently (probably in the couple minutes I was in the restroom) that the bottles were still room temp warm. So fate decided I needed it. Seeing as how today is International Root Beer day, I figured giving the absolute newest root beer a try was a good way to celebrate.

Like most grocery store root beers, the actual rooty flavor leans a little on the artificial root beer candy taste, eschewing any interesting spices that make the tastes unique. The initial flavor also has strong vanilla tones and those tend to dominate the aftertaste. It does have a semi-chemical hint to the aftertaste that isn't great but not super noticeable if I'm not paying attention.

The carbonation is nice and fizzy, with a bit of bite to it and maintaining the effervescence from start to finish, though the bubbles do become a little more tame and less prickly after the halfway point. This also tastes and feels a little sugary, with a thickish coating sticking behind in my mouth. Using high fructose corn syrup instead of sugar cane is probably contributing to the slightly less crisp sweetness. It isn't a very foamy drink, though the vanilla does add a small sense of creaminess, so while it goes down smooth, it's just average in that area.

Was this the best root beer to celebrate today? Probably not. It's a semi-decent choice with a vanilla-heavy taste, almost as if root beer was mixed with cream soda. I'm primarily disappointed in the slight chemical aftertaste, making this seem like the chemical concoction root beer really is instead of tricking me into believing it's a magical elixir made from spices.

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

carbonation: B+

Barq's root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Barq’s has bite! Do you know why? Well, it’s unique Barq’s spice is what makes this root beer soda truly original and truly tasty, complete with a caffeine kick. Not to mention the full-bodied flavor that is so distinct and different it can only be Barq’s."

The Barq's Brothers Bottling Company was founded in 1890, with Orangine being their most popular flavor. Root beer was introduced to the lineup around 1900, though not marketed as a "root beer" as Hires was attempting to trademark that. It was owned by the family until they sold their remaining operations to Coca-Cola in 2000. Barq's is notable as one of the caffeinated root beers.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  The Coca-Cola Company. 160 calories, 44g sugar. Caffeine content: 22mg/12 fl oz. Glass bottle with pry off top. https://www.coca-cola.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, sodium benzoate (to protect taste), citric acid, caffeine, artificial and natural flavors, acacia.

My thoughts: In my younger years, Barq's was one of my less favored standard root beer offerings. I've only had it as a fountain drink, so this will be my first bottled experience. I'm curious to see if I still consider it a lesser of the average root beers.

The first flavor to stand out is the basic rooty sassafras taste that gives root beer its iconic flavor. It has a medium strength to it, though it tapers off into slightly thin tasting as the aftertaste develops. The vanilla is quite present and it has a light minty taste that becomes more apparent as the initial flavor wears off. I'd say it goes just a tiny bit too minty, but isn't nearly as overwhelmingly so as the worst offenders.

The "Barq's has bite" slogan works decently for the carbonation, as it has a decent fizz to it and the bubbles are slightly prickly. It does foam up a little bit and has a creamy sensation, so goes down smooth in spite of the slightly more aggressive than normal carbonation. It is sweetened with corn syrup instead of sugar, and leaves a bit more of a coating on my mouth than I prefer, but it's not too thick feeling.

Well, I'd have to say that young me was fairly spot on with his assessment of Barq's. It's a decent root beer, but not one that really wows me or anything. It's a perfectly serviceable one, however, even if the flavor feels a tiny bit thin to me. If I wanted cans just to make floats with or something, then Barq's would be in the running along with A&W for something I can just grab a 12-pack of off the shelf of any grocery store.

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

carbonation: B+