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+