Popwell Prebiotic root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Popwell is a Better-For-You soda that delivers all the soda satisfaction you crave—without the excess sugar and empty calories. Made with prebiotic fiber, real fruit juice, and our Cold Crafted process, Popwell offers bold, refreshing flavors with low calories, 1g of sugar or less, and gut-friendly benefits."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Talking Rain Beverage Company, Preston, WA 98050. 35 calories, 1g sugar. Aluminum can. https://drinkpopwell.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated water, soluble corn fiber, contains 2% or less of: apple juice concentrate, acerola fruit juice powder, fruit and vegetable juice (for color), natural flavors, niacinamide (vitamin B3), calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), stevia sweetener, citric acid, zinc sulfate, mushroom glycolipids.

My thoughts: There has been a surge of pre/pro-biotic sodas hitting the shelves in recent years, many of which offer root beers. While not usually my preferred root beer, I'm here to review them all, so I try to at least give them a fair chance.

Cracking open the can, it has a very root beer candy smell to it. The flavor is rooty as well, but with a very strong wintergreen component. The wintergreen quickly overwhelms the rooty flavor, however, and absolutely dominates the aftertaste, leaving me feeling like I just ate a breath mint. If you like your root beers extra minty, then this might be one for you.

Carbonation is on the light side, with fairly tame and tiny bubbles that lend a sense of carbonation, but don't really stand out. While it doesn't feel flat, I think it needs more prickle to really feel properly carbonated. Some of these pre/pro-biotic sodas have a thick texture to them, but this one is lighter and crisp. It doesn't exactly foam up or create a creamy sensation, but feels smooth nonetheless. Sweetness is actually quite decent for a stevia-sweetened drink, as I didn't get too much sense of the stevia flavor (probably overwhelmed by the wintergreen) and my mouth was left feeling fairly clean and fresh...a bit too fresh.

This was a bit different. I'm. not a huge fan of super mint heavy root beers, so this one ranks a fair bit lower than it otherwise might have. In fact, by the end of the can, it tasted more like a mint soda than a root beer.

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

carbonation: C- 

Virgil's (can) root beer

Background information: (from the website) "REEDS, Inc. is making extraordinary beverages and confections using very old-fashioned, natural methods and wholesome, fresh ingredients. We are a growing family of passionate entrepreneurs who have developed food and drink, which in our opinion exceed any products within their categories in taste, quality and imagination, as we are certain you noticed by now!"

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Manufactured for Reed's Inc., Norwalk, CT 06851. 170 calories, 42g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.virgils.com/ (listed on the can, but website isn't functioning)

Ingredients: Sparkling filtered water, cane sugar, natural root beer flavor, natural cream flavor, caramel color, citric acid, natural mushroom extract (to protect quality).


My thoughts: Virgil's comes, in a can. They were put there by a man, in a factory downtown. If I had my little way, would I drink Virgil's every day? Let's open the can and find out.

Okay, my initial taste impression is pretty good. It has a good rooty sassafras flavor with some anise (licorice) and vanilla going on. The aftertaste doesn't reveal any spices that I wasn't tasting with the initial flavor, but after letting the aftertaste sit for a while, it has a strange, extremely subtle soap taste/sensation. It's so subtle that I almost doubted it was there at all, but after several tries and really letting it sit and paying attention, I still feel like there's a soap feeling maybe more than a flavor. It's very hard to describe, as it's not strong enough to really say for certain what it is; just that the sensation it leaves reminds me of soap for some reason. It's very weird.

The carbonation on this one is pretty good, with medium sized bubbles and a fair amount of them, which keeps this feeling peppy all the way to the end. Partly due to the not-too-aggressive carbonation, this one feels pretty smooth and creamy, though not overly foamy. Sweetness is spot on, giving a tasty drink without feeling overly syrupy or leaving my mouth coated with too much sugar.

So, I'm a bit mixed on this. It has some interesting things with the flavor that are good and not so good, but nothing amazing or outright terrible, though the soap sensation throws me off a bit. I've heard they reformulated this since I last reviewed it in bottle form, and I don't know that they've really made an improvement.

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

carbonation: B+ 

Freddie's root beer

Background information: (from the website): "Throughout the challenges of floods, fires, tornadoes and even Prohibition, the American family-owned Buffalo Trace Distillery has never compromised. A timeless dedication to respecting the past while fearlessly innovating for the future has served us well for more than two centuries. No matter the challenge, be it Mother Nature or man, the people of our Distillery have been part of the story that shaped America and the spirit industry as well."

"Crafted with natural herbs, real birch oil & imported vanilla."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Bottled under the authority of Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. 180 calories, 44g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/

Ingredients: Purified carbonated water, high fructose corn sweetener and/or cane sugar, pure vanilla, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preservative) and phosphoric acid.


My thoughts: Back to a bottled root beer! I've mostly been finding new root beers in cans lately, so I'm glad to get back to the traditional glass bottle. While that doesn't necessarily promise a better root beer, it's how I prefer to drink mine.

It's been a long time since I've had a root beer, so maybe I'm just missing that flavor, but this one tastes really good! It has a vanilla-forward root beer flavor that is nice and strong, with a bit of mint to it (probably due to the birch oil), but not so strong as to give me that toothpaste feel. It has a very pleasant aftertaste and it might have a hint of anise, but I'm not totally certain on that one.

Okay, with a really good flavor, I hate to say it, but the carbonation is pitiful. There are hardly any bubbles and what little it has are fairly weak. I don't like my sodas flat, and this one is disappointingly so. The lack of carbonation and strong vanilla do give it a very creamy, almost root beer float sensation, so I do like the creaminess. And I feel like they got the right amount of sugar dialed in, even though I would have preferred real sugar instead of "high fructose corn sweetener and/or cane sugar".

I really like the flavor, but this one let me down with the almost complete absence of carbonation. I may want to give this a try with some dry ice to add in some of the lacking fizz, but that seems like a lot of extra work when I can just grab a bottle of good tasting and well carbonated root beer instead. I think if they got their carbonation issue solved, this would be a much more compelling contender.

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

carbonation: D 

Cove Soda probiotic root beer

Background information: While not a fan of probiotic root beers, I've been hard up to find new root beers to try, so I'll give any sort a go. While shopping at my local grocery store, I ran across a new brand I hadn't seen before, Cove Soda. Cove makes "healthy" probiotic sodas and kombuchas and has zero sugar while being certified organic.

(from the website): "Hi, we’re John and Ryan 👋 Brothers and Co-founders of Cove Soda

Growing up, soda was a rare treat, enjoyed only on the most special of occasions. Tucked away in our most cherished memories of birthday parties, pizza nights, or an A on a test, soda was there.

While we outgrew our soda fixation, deeming it forever unhealthy; the nostalgic craving lived on. Our guts were telling us not to walk away from those classic flavours we knew and loved. 

So, we took a sip down memory lane to create a soda that isn’t meant for special occasions, rather, for everyone and everyday enjoyment. Enter Cove Soda, the first-ever, zero sugar functional soda made with 1 billion probiotics, and real organic ingredients.

We’re making way for a new generation of soda drinkers."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Brought to you by Cove Drinks Inc., 1A Johnston Ave., Trenton NJ 08629. 0 calories, 0g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.covesoda.com/

Ingredients: Filtered water, Erythritol*, Caramel*, Citric acid*, Natural flavour*, Vanilla extract*, Himalayan salt, Stevia extract*, Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Bacillus subtilis DE111 (probiotic). *Organic


My thoughts: I can't believe it's been almost a year since my last review. I haven't had much luck finding new root beers to try, but finally came across this. I'm not much for probiotic, nor zero sugar, root beers, so let's see how this goes.

"Fttzzzzz...pop!" Ah, the good old sound of cracking open an ice cold can of root beer. I prepare myself for the worst, but it smells okay... As the liquid flows over my tongue I think, "Hey this isn't so bad!" It has that rooty sassafras taste, with a decent vanilla flavor helping it out. It has a little of that sort of sour probiotic taste to it, but it's really not all that bad, with the rooty flavor strong enough to help hide the healthy bits. The aftertaste isn't unpleasant, not revealing any new spices or anything, but also not getting overwhelmed by the probiotic elements. There is very little hint of the stevia sweetening altering the taste, which is usually not the case.

The carbonation is fairly strong, though not with the most aggressive bubbles, so it doesn't prickle the tongue. Some of these probiotic drinks can feel a little flat, but this one holds up just fine. I tend to feel like these probiotic drinks tend to have a creamy quality to the texture and this one is no different, offering a satisfying smoothness. The thing that really surprised me is the stevia sweetener. As I mentioned above, it only has a hint of that typical stevia taste (though it is there), but manages to be properly sweet without the sugar.

Well, consider me surprised. I was fully expecting to not like this root beer based on past experience with stevia sweeteners and probiotics, but I came away not minding it. While it wouldn't be my choice among regular root beers, it does offer a moderately satisfying root beer experience and a very good probiotic root beer taste. Seems like they got the formula right on this one.

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

carbonation: B+ 

Signature Select root beer

Background information: This root beer is sold at Safeway/Vons/Albertsons grocery stores, but doesn't really have any pertinent product information.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by Better Living Brands LLC, P.O. Box 99, Pleasanton, CA 94566-0009. 170 calories, 46g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.safeway.com

Ingredients: Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, potassium benzoate (preservative), natural and artificial flavors, citric acid.


My thoughts: As I continue to encounter a drought of new, bottled root beers to try, I came across a single can of root beer in my grocery store's discount pile (they sell singles when a case breaks open). So not only is it not in a bottle, but it's a store brand, so I don't have high expectations for this. I figure I'll be happy if it comes in with a C-average score.

With a strong crack of the can opening, I toss back a swig of this store brand root beer and...it's pretty dang good! It has a strong, rooty flavor that is bolstered by vanilla, but not a lot else. It's a good flavor, but quite basic, with no hints of spices like wintergreen, licorice/anise, cinnamon, etc. that make for a really great root beer. But, in spite of only including the basics, I really do like this. The aftertaste leans a little more into the vanilla, but mostly resembles the initial flavor.

As I mentioned above, the can opened with a strong crack (and the sound of fizzing), which is a good sign. The carbonation is quite satisfying, though a little short of the really aggressive prickling bubbles that I prefer. But if you want something well carbonated but with a smoother profile, this one gets it just right. It also has a nice, creamy feeling, making it a very smooth root beer in spite of the carbonation. I think it's an excellent blend of properties. It does run a touch on the sweet and syrupy side, not too terribly so, but not quite as crisp as the best root beers manage to achieve.

Going in to this one, I wasn't expecting much from a generic, store brand root beer, but in the end it was a surprisingly competent root beer, punching above it's average appearances and, while doing almost nothing exceedingly well, manages to match up a lot of good attributes for a pretty decent root beer. 

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

carbonation: A- 

VitaLife Prebiotic root beer

Background information: This root beer is sold at Aldi grocery stores, but has no product information. It is a seasonal item, however, so may not be readily available.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Dist. & sold exclusively by Aldi Batavia, IL 60510. 40 calories, 5g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.aldi.us

Ingredients: Water, Organic Water Kefir (Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Kefir Culture), Organic Agave Inulin, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Apple Juice Concentrate, Organic Root Beer Flavor (Water, Organic Caramel Color, Organic Gum Acacia, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid), Organic Stevia, Organic Lemon Juice Concentrate, Organic Vanilla Extract, Organic Monk Fruit Extract, Tartaric Acid, Sea Salt.


My thoughts: I'll admit that I'm not generally a fan of prebiotic sodas. But I saw this root beer and figured that it needed to be added to my reviews, so I bought a can (from my local Aldi's).

Taking a whiff of the just cracked can, it smells like an ordinary root beer. Taste, however, is completely different. Okay, I guess not completely different, as there are some rooty undertones, but the overall flavor is kind of a fruity...something. It doesn't really have a specific fruit flavor so much as it creates an impression of the fruitiness without being a definite flavor. I know that may not make a whole lot of sense, but that's the impression I get. It's not a particularly pleasant flavor, but it's not gag inducing. The aftertaste reveals a little hint of the root beer undertones and some wintergreen or some such mint along with some vanilla. At this point, not having read the ingredient list yet, I suspect the fruitiness is monk fruit, which is often used as a natural sweetener (edit: monk fruit confirmed on the list).

One thing this gets right is the carbonation. While not the really aggressive bubbles I love, it's probably more along the lines of what the average person prefers, a suitably prickly experience that doesn't necessarily dance on the tongue. To go along with that, I feel like it has a decently creamy sensation, going down nice and smooth. As for sweetness, I don't like the flavor monk fruit imparts as a sweetener, so am marking the sweetness down as a negative due to the influence on the flavor profile.

Alright, so as a prebiotic soda, this isn't a terrible drink by any stretch. But as a root beer, it's just not good, falling well below the average tasting root beer. This might be a decent option for those trying to drink healthier beverages, though I'm sure that -as in many things- the health advantages are overstated. I'd rather just eat healthier in general and mix in good tasting root beers in moderation instead.

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

carbonation: B+ 

Zevia creamy root beer

Background information: (from the website): "Our mission is as clear as our Soda: Create a world of better-for-you flavor, better for people and planet. One can at a time, we’re cleaning up the beverage aisle with naturally sweetened, zero sugar deliciousness for all. Zero-compromise refreshment you can enjoy whenever, wherever, as often as your taste buds’ crave. Without a plastic bottle in sight.

The world is already pretty sweet, so we see no need to add sugar. So we are serving up a simple way to avoid added sugar by creating naturally sweetened, great-tasting, drink-as-much-as-you-want refreshment for everyone. It’s a knockout combo of better-for-you beverages and limitless enjoyment that’s accessible to all. We’ve got plenty of flavor for you, and not a single gram of sugar.

It takes guts (and smarts) to improve on a beloved classic. With Creamy Root Beer we’ve (re)created a classic root beer, but with a rich, creamy and naturally sweetened, zero sugar twist. ‘Velvety smooth and bursting with flavor’ some might say, even if they weren’t on our payroll. They might also comment on its clear color — in between pouring their ice-cold Creamy Root Beer into a frosted mug and adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by: Zevia PBS, Los Angeles, CA 91436. 0 calories, 0g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.zevia.com

Ingredients: Carbonated water, natural flavors, Stevia leaf extract, citric acid.


My thoughts: Okay, I'll be up front and admit I am not a fan of zero calorie soda, especially of the Stevia sweetened variety. But in my unflagging quest to bring you more root beer reviews, I'll take the hit and give it a try. Maybe it'll surprise me?

Okay, the smell is classic root beer. That's promising. Now the flavor. I can tell it's going to be wretched. I scrunch up my face, close my eyes, take a swig, and just like I thought this is completely disgus---hey wait...this isn't too bad. It has a pretty classic root beer taste. Now, don't get me wrong, it does have that telltale stevia sweetened flavor to it that I find unpleasant and also hides picking out the individual spices in the flavor, though I do detect some vanilla. Aftertaste leaves behind the dreaded stevia aftertaste, but again, not as bad as I thought. The strong rooty taste helps mask it a little bit, I think.

Carbonation is pleasant, starting out pretty crunchy and tapering off to a moderate bite mid-can. Fairly decent for a canned soda. There is a little bit of a creaminess to it, though it's not the most frothy and creamy root beer. As for sweetness, it's a decent level of sweetness but unfortunately this comes with a healthy dose of stevia undertones and aftertaste, which is a huge hit to my enjoyment of this root beer. I new going into this that it was a "zero sugar soda," so was completely expected. That said, with 0g of sugar, this is a good option for those that can't drink sugary beverages.

So this wasn't the complete disaster I was expecting for a stevia sweetened root beer. It's drinkable, which is more than I can say for some of the other zero sugar root beers I've tried. It's no Dr. Pepper Zero levels of decent taste (which is where I set the bar for "good" zero sugar sodas), but if I had to switch to a no- or low- sugar diet, I'd consider making this one of my root beer choices. Fortunately for me, I don't need to so I doubt I'll be picking this up again.

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

carbonation: B+ 

poppi Prebiotic root beer

 

Background information: (from the website): "Founded by husband-and-wife duo Stephen and Allison and based in Austin, TX, poppi combines fresh fruit juice, apple cider vinegar, and inulin prebiotics for a deliciously refreshing, full-of-flavor soda with benefits.

With the help of an investment on Shark Tank, poppi has gone from farmer's-market-favorite to sitting pretty on the shelves of thousands of retailers across the nation. Along the way, we’ve become beloved by some new besties like Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, Russell Westbrook, JLo, Olivia Munn, and more."

(from the can) "Facts... No one wants a basic drink. So make every hour happy with this bubbly, better for you prebiotic soda that keeps your gut happy and gives your bod a boost. Classic flavors that are downright delicious, these bubbles with benefits will be your new BFF."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by: poppi, Austin, TX 78731. 25 calories, 5g sugar. Aluminum can. https://www.drinkpoppi.com/

Ingredients: Sparkling Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Apple Juice*, Fruit Juice Color, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Agave Inulin, Natural Flavors, Stevia, Natural Tartaric Acid. *Concentrate (Contains 3% Juice)


My thoughts: Prebiotic soda. These words strike some fear into my root beer loving heart. From the swampy depths of prehistoric earth emerge microorganisms, whose essence is being distilled into a soupy blend of sludge of slime molds, fungi, and bacteria, with the sole purpose of ruining what might be a perfectly decent root beer. Okay, perhaps I mischaracterize a perfectly decent beverage trend. Maybe this will be the best root beer I've had yet. We shall see if my preconceptions, though slightly exaggerated, hold true.

The initial flavor, when one expects root beer, is a bit confusing. It has a strangely subtle fruitiness which I can't quite explain (looking at the ingredients, I now see "apple juice" and "apple cider vinegar" listed, which likely gives it that flavor). Seeing those ingredients might also explain the tangy sensation with the vinegar. It's such a strange flavor combination, I don't quite know how to describe them. It's not bad, exactly, but I don't know that I particularly like it, especially as far as root beers go. There is a little bit of that rooty sassafras flavor in there, which becomes a more prominent as the initial flavors fade into the aftertaste. It also has a vanilla taste that grows stronger as an aftertaste.

Carbonation is fairly good, maintaining a decent fizz throughout the can. I tend to prefer my CO2 quite prickly, which this is a drink with smaller, less aggressive bubbles, but it does a decent job. The smaller bubbles don't froth a whole lot, which leaves it a little short on that bubbly creaminess I really like in my root beers, but something in the drink is leaving a thicker, creamier sensation behind. As for sweetness, I'm usually a bit skeptical of drinks sweetened with agave and Stevia, but the blend with cane sugar here works well, with no unusual sweetness related flavors I can detect. With only 5g of sugar (about 1/8 the usual amount), if leaves a much cleaner sensation behind.

I'm a bit puzzled on how I should rate this. It's not a great root beer, but it's fairly decent as a "healthy" probiotic beverage. I wouldn't mind having it again, but if I'm putting it purely into the context of a root beer, it's certainly not one I'd seek out again. So when you see the lower score, just keep in mind that I think it's a moderately decent Prebiotic soda (and not some awful swamp water sludge), but not exactly a great root beer. But, if I had to keep my sugar or calorie intake low, I do think it beats most diet root beer options and would likely be one of my low sugar picks.

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

Twisted Root Burger Co. root beer

Background information: (from the website) "With high-quality made-to-order burgers, a ‘come as you are’ environment and a strange reverence for Chuck Norris, there’s no place else quite like Twisted Root. Way back before ‘gourmet burgers’ was a thing, Chefs Jason Boso & Quincy Hart decided to build a restaurant around half-pound, fresh ground burgers with a menu that allowed customers to build their own burgers with a list of crazy and inventive toppings. The two met in culinary school, after jobs in stock brokerages and telephone line repair. After paying their dues working the line at The Four Seasons & Pappas Bros, Jason & Quincy finally opened Twisted Root Burger Co. in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas, Texas in 2006. Twisted Root appeared on the second season of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri (2009) and suddenly Twisted Root was a dining destination in Dallas. While Twisted Root Burger Co. has seen incredible growth, Jason & Quincy have stuck to their roots and their senses of humor, using a hands-on approach to high-quality, fresh food in an casual atmosphere with tons of personality."

Product details: Fountain drink. Dallas, TX. https://twistedrootburgerco.com/

Ingredients: n/a


My thoughts: I don't usually test fountain drinks, but since this isn't available any other way and I've lately run low on new root beers, I figured it was time to branch out. Unlike their banana cream pie version, this is dominated by a sickly sour, fruity taste, though there is a decent rooty sassafras flavor. There might be a faint hint of mintiness, but it's hard to tell (disclaimer: I tried this root beer after eating my burger, which had a very strong garlic sauce, so my taste buds aren't quite as attuned as when I normally test the root beers). Aftertaste is a bit watery and thin.

Having come out of the same spigot as their banana cream pie root beer, I was unsurprised to find the carbonation equally disappointing, with a major lack of effervescence. I don't care for the level of sweetness, perhaps the sickly sweet flavor lending the overall sweetness a feeling of being overbearing. There is no real creaminess to speak of, in spite of it being a banana *cream* variation.

I should have stuck with their banana cream pie flavor they were offering at the time, as it was a far superior root beer experience, even if that one wasn't stellar by any means. The poor carbonation, bad flavor, and unappealing sweetness all combine to make this a root beer I never need to try again. But if you ever find yourself in the area, it's well worth stopping in for their delicious burgers!

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

Twisted Root Burger Co. Banana Cream Pie root beer

 

Background information: (from the website) "With high-quality made-to-order burgers, a ‘come as you are’ environment and a strange reverence for Chuck Norris, there’s no place else quite like Twisted Root. Way back before ‘gourmet burgers’ was a thing, Chefs Jason Boso & Quincy Hart decided to build a restaurant around half-pound, fresh ground burgers with a menu that allowed customers to build their own burgers with a list of crazy and inventive toppings. The two met in culinary school, after jobs in stock brokerages and telephone line repair. After paying their dues working the line at The Four Seasons & Pappas Bros, Jason & Quincy finally opened Twisted Root Burger Co. in the Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas, Texas in 2006. Twisted Root appeared on the second season of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri (2009) and suddenly Twisted Root was a dining destination in Dallas. While Twisted Root Burger Co. has seen incredible growth, Jason & Quincy have stuck to their roots and their senses of humor, using a hands-on approach to high-quality, fresh food in an casual atmosphere with tons of personality."

Product details: Fountain drink. Dallas, TX. https://twistedrootburgerco.com/

Ingredients: n/a


My thoughts: I'm typically not a fan of banana flavor, so I was surprised to find that I liked this one. While their regular root beer was dominated by a sickly sour, fruity taste, this suffers no such fate. The rooty sassafras isn't quite as strong, but still present, but the interesting flavor is the banana cream. The banana does remind me a little of the banana Runts candy taste, but surprisingly it mixes well with root beer. There might be a faint hint of mintiness, but it's hard to tell (disclaimer: I tried this root beer after eating my burger, which had a very strong garlic sauce, so my taste buds aren't quite as attuned as when I normally test the root beers). Aftertaste is a bit watery and thin, mostly highlighting the banana cream.

Having come out of the same spigot as their regular root beer, I was unsurprised to find the carbonation equally disappointing, with a major lack of effervescence. Unlike the regular root beer, I found that with the lack of the sickly sour sweetness, this offers a pleasant level of sweetness. I thought perhaps the banana cream would make it too much, but the lack of a syrupy coating left me with a positive impression. There is no real creaminess to speak of, in spite of it being a banana *cream* variation.

I'm glad I gave this flavor a try after my meal, as it's a superior offering over the regular root beer. The lack of carbonation really holds this back from being a better drink, however.

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

Henry Weinhard's root beer (redux)

Background information: (from the website) "In 1851, Henry journeyed from Germany to Portland with a love of beer. He loved it so much, he got a job in a brewery and began concocting his own recipes before deciding to go out on his own.

He was an eccentric man with an unmatched passion for bringing people together. He once offered to pump free beer through Skidmore Fountain to celebrate its unveiling, only to be turned down by the people in charge of the town who feared for rowdy horses.

It’s a story we love, and we often use it to remember to take a moment every now and then and be a little less like those in charge of Skidmore, and a bit more like Henry.

In 1920, Prohibition happened. Instead of giving up, as was expected, we spun our situation, switching from suds to sodas to stay afloat. We briefly left alcohol behind to carefully craft bottles of bubbles filled with flavor. It was the Henry thing to do, and we wouldn’t be where we are without him."

Note: While the bottles used to list "honey essence" as an ingredient, it's no longer mentioned. The website does say, however, that "Out root beer is a truly great American original and has stayed the same since forever. We mix the finest sassafras, vanilla and honey to create a soda that's anything but ordinary." A couple thoughts on that: honey is supposedly still used but removed as a separate ingredient from the label and their claim that it's "stayed the same since forever" is categorically false, as they not only changed over from high fructose corn syrup sometime in the past 10 years to cane sugar (an upgrade, IMO), but sassafras -which was originally used in root beers- was banned in food in the 1960's, so they would have also changed over from real sassafras in the original Prohibition-era recipe to artificial sassafras (or possibly safrole-free sassafras, I haven't seen anybody making that distinction in their ingredients or ad copy).

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Blitz-Weinhard Gourmet Soda Company, Fort Worth, TX 76134. 180 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. https://www.henryweinhards.com/

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, natural and artificial flavor (caramel color, acacia gum, potassium sorbate (preservative)), sodium benzoate (preserves freshness), phosphoric acid.


My thoughts: Having first discovered Henry Weinhard's root beer over 25 years ago, it quickly became my go-to, A-grade root beer by which all others were judged and was the subject of my very first root beer review over a decade ago. For a good portion of that time, their "sweetened (partially) by honey" was one of the things that stood out in the crowded root beer market, but recently I noticed they had changed the formulation and it no longer claims "honey" in any form on the ingredients label (though I notice they still claim honey on their website), but has also swapped high fructose corn syrup for cane sugar. In the light of these changes from their older formulation, I thought I would give it another review and see if it's held up and if they had improved on the slightly less than average carbonation.

I like the blend of spices that they use in this root beer. It has an immediate, rooty sassafras taste, but the other flavors come through nicely, with some wintergreen and vanilla coming through. This isn't the most complex root beer profile, lacking hints of things like clove, cinnamon, and anise that I've come to enjoy over the years, but it's still a solid root beer. The aftertaste doesn't reveal anything hiding underneath the initial flavor.

The carbonation is a bit on the weak side, though it doesn't necessarily feel like it's flat. Remember, I'm a fan of the big, aggressive bubbles and this has a smoother, calmer effervescence. It's not bad, but like the original, is lacking a little over what a "C" average root beer should be doing. Speaking of smooth, I like how this one has a pretty creamy texture to it. I wasn't expecting it as usually the creamier root beers list yucca root as an ingredient, something this one doesn't have listed. While this has dropped honey extract, it did replace the high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar. I haven't had the older formulation for some time, so I can't make an assessment as to how it's changed, but I will say that it never felt overly syrupy and felt appropriately sweet.

I don't know why "honey" has been taken off the labeling since the website still claims they "mix the finest sassafras, vanilla and honey...", but whatever they've changed Henry Weinhard's root beer still holds up decently well. Even back before I had tested all these root beers, I knew it wasn't the most complex flavor profile, though now in hindsight that's even more obvious. But fortunately, what it does do flavor-wise it still gets right. It may be slightly on the simpler side, but it's still deserving of finding a place on your buy list. In retrospect, it maybe didn't quite deserve the straight "A" I originally awarded it, so I'm knocking it down slightly to an "A-" here in this review.

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

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-

Zia root beer

Background information: There's not much info on this company and their website seems to be mostly non-functional at the time I'm writing this. But from the web, what I'm able to piece together is that they are an "all natural" beverage company specializing in energy drinks.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Zia Vida LLC, Taos, NM 87571. 148 calories, 39g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. www.ziabev.com

Ingredients: Filtered carbonated water, cane sugar, anise, licorice, clove, mint, yucca root, madagascar bourbon vanilla, citric acid.


My thoughts: With the label proudly listing Yucca, licorice & vanilla on the front, I'm not sure what to expect. Looking at the ingredients, we get both anise and licorice, which have a similar taste and could result in a double whammy of the black licorice taste I don't particularly like.

I'll admit, this is a somewhat interesting flavor profile. The typical rooty sassafras taste is a lot weaker than normal, with the mint coming across super strong and drowning out a lot of the other flavors. One of the oddest things is that the main flavor slips away quickly, in a way that I can almost feel it just slide down my throat. I don't know that I've had a sensation quite like it. At first I thought the aftertaste was almost entirely mint, but as I savored the flavors, I began to make out the licorice/anise and the clove came through, with the latter providing a more complex flavor profile than I'm used to tasting. I'm happy to report that the double "black licorice" ingredient list didn't result in a very strong flavor. Throughout the whole experience there's a vanilla presence. I think this would be one stellar root beer if the mint didn't overwhelm everything else quite so thoroughly.

I hate to say it, but when it comes to carbonation this one is a complete and utter fail. There is the barest hint of carbonation, but that's it. It's almost completely flat. In spite of the absence of any effervescent qualities, the yucca root provides a slightly creamy sensation, but there's only so much it can do all by itself, as there are no bubbles to froth things up at all. But not all is lost, as this is one of the best root beers I've come across when it comes to sweetness. It leaves a cleaner feeling in my mouth than usual, but has a proper amount of sweetness to it. I attribute part of this clean feeling to not only the sugar levels, but how quickly the flavor disappears, leaving less of a trace behind.

I'm a bit conflicted on how to rate this. I like the subtle spices they're using but it's so overpowered by mint. The usual rooty flavor you expect is also a little on the weak side and dissipates way too quickly. The overall flavor, mint notwithstanding, is pretty good, but fleeting. I might be able to overlook that quirk, but the near complete absence of carbonation on top of that is a huge disappointment. If they fixed even just the carbonation aspect, I'd be much more likely to cut it some slack, as I like that they aren't just delivering a generic flavor profile, but have a bit more interesting spice mix. In its current state, however, it's very hard to recommend.

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

Soda Beers root beer

Background information: (from the website): "A German soft drink developed over a century ago by Bavarian Brewmeisters, called Fassbrause, was prepared using fruits and spices and stored in wooden kegs. When served it poured like a beer, with a thick foamy head, but without any alcohol.

We brought the Fassbrause tradition to the Rocky Mountains in the 1960’s, combined with high-quality ingredients, and Apple Beer was born!

Our family operation is focused on flavor. We bottle Apple Beer using all-natural ingredients and pure cane sugar. The result is a fruity, crisp, alcohol-free drink with a clean finish that can be consumed alone or used as a delicious base for mixed drinks.

We first expanded the Apple Beer line with the Apple Beer FIVE. This delicious 5-calorie drink is made with Acai Berry and Ginseng and delivers a refreshing guilt-free taste.

We recently launched two new flavors - in 2018 our Ginger Beer and in 2019 our Root Beer. The growing family of beverages gave birth to the SodaBeers brand, soft drinks that employ similar methods to produce a variety of unique soda beers. Along with our four current sodas, we are pleased to announce the addition of Butterscotch Beer—coming to stores in 2021."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Bottled Under Authority of the Apple Beer, Corp., Holladay, Utah 84117. 180 calories, 44g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. www.sodabeers.com

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Quillaja Extract.


My thoughts: "Family owned" brings to mind a smaller operation, one that might be willing to take a few more risks to stand out from the corporate behemoths that flood the store shelves with their products. Hopefully this is one of those stand outs that rises above the average. I've consumed their Apple Beer before on many occasion and really like it, so am looking forward to their take on a classic.

The initial flavor is nice and strong, with a very obvious rooty sassafras taste and vanilla. It does have a minor hint of wintergreen in the main flavor which becomes more apparent in the aftertaste. I like the initial mint flavor, but am not the biggest fan of it being so overpowering, leaving little room for other subtle flavors in the aftertaste.

Carbonation is not something this one lacks, having a good kick to my tongue. The bubbles stay strong throughout the bottle. One thing I really like is that even though it's quite prickly, it foams up into a creamy, smooth feeling that nicely balances out the strong effervescence. As far as sweetness, it's just ever so slightly more sugary feeling than what I deem perfect, but certainly doesn't cross over into being syrupy.

This is a pretty good root beer with some great attributes, but it ultimately plays it safe with the formula. Where it lacks is in the more subtle flavors and a bit too much mint for my sensibilities. If you are one that loves the wintergreen aspect, then this one may be a winner for you. If a bottle came around I wouldn't have any qualms giving it a drink.

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

Root Naturals Apothecary root beer

Background information: (from the website): "The year was 1937, the country was in the midst of the Great Depression and the entire City of Cincinnati was flooded as the Spring waters jumped the banks of the Ohio river. It was in this bleak setting that a young Deno Spaccarelli (pictured below!), perhaps acting on the challenge of President Roosevelt that there was “nothing to fear but fear itself” decided to open his first apothecary on Erie Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. It was here that he would compound custom prescriptions in the pharmacy and custom sodas at the fountain. And that is where our story begins. Eight decades later when the last Deno Apothecary was closed and the books were settled, we set out to keep the family tradition alive by bottling our apothecary sodas for all the world to taste."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Root Naturals, 9891 Montgomery Road #115, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242. 160 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. www.rootbeverage.com

Ingredients: Triple filtered carbonated water, cane sugar, botanical extract blend, natural flavor, caramelized cane sugar.


My thoughts: I like the marketing on the label for the "botanical extract blend" and calling it an "apothecary craft soda," as this brings to my mind rich, complex flavors that go beyond the basic rooty sassafras, vanilla, and wintergreen combo that so many employ. I'm hoping they mix things up with a few more of the lesser used spices, so we'll see if they deliver or not.

This has a strong, rooty sassafras flavor that has good flavor. There are hints of vanilla and wintergreen, though this one keeps the wintergreen a bit tamer, which I appreciate, not letting it dominate the taste. I feel like there are some other more subtle spices at work, but I'm not quite sure what they are. All I can say is that they lend a bit of a more sophisticated flavor profile than your usual root beer. The aftertaste is mostly a continuation of these flavors, though maybe I detect a hint of anise/black licorice? Maybe I'm imagining things as I search for the hidden flavors, but I would not be at all surprised to find out this is on the list of flavors they sparingly use.

It's a shame that a good flavor like this is paired with such a weak carbonation. It's a pretty flat root beer with only a smattering of bubbles, which shifts into almost entire flatness about 2/3rds of the way into the bottle. It's very disappointing. Sweetness is just about perfect, with a very minimal sugary feeling being left behind relative to other sodas. The flatness makes it pretty smooth to drink, but it doesn't have any of that frothy creaminess that make for a top tier soda. And anyway, having carbonation is kind of a key component to this aspect.

I like what they are doing with the flavor, but the root beer experience is really shattered by the incredibly weak carbonation. Fix the carbonation problem and this becomes a much better root beer, but in its current state, it's not something I'd seek out again.

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

Oak Creek Blonde root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Through a decade long journey, the team of Master Soda Craftsmen at OAK CREEK cultivated a unique process in which traditional sodas can be delivered in multiple varietals through time honored barrel aging techniques. This passion project was inspired and influenced by the rise of the barrel aged culture of wine, beer, and spirits. For the soda connoisseur with an eye for innovation and a thirst for a unique drinking experience, OAK CREEK Barrel Aged Sodas represent the next evolution of craft soda.

OAK CREEK uber-premium Root Beers are hand-crafted in American Oak barrels with a medium char which increases the oak’s influence on the color, aroma, flavor, and overall style. Naturally flavored and made with real sugar, each small batch of OAK CREEK Root Beer spends no less than ONE YEAR aging in the oak so that the full benefits can be drawn out and delivered to your glass."

(from the bottle): "Barrel aged root beer is a traditional root beer turned upside down. Well, more like turned on its side and the aged in a medium-charred American Oak barrel. We're paying homage to the original soda fountains while elevating the process for the next Millenium. Share your vintage!"

I noticed on this most recent bottle that it shows it's being made by the Sprecher Brewing Co. I'm not sure if they bought out Oak Creek or are just a manufacturer for Oak Creek now. No mention was made of Sprecher when I reviewed the regular Oak Creek root beer last year. The Blonde bottle I'm reviewing here, however, lists Sprecher as the manufacturer on the label as well as Sprecher's website instead of the www.oakcreekbarrelagedsodas.com site that was on the non-blonde label.

The Oak Creek website is loading very, very slowly as of this writing (I thought it was non-funtional at first, but after a minute or two finally loaded - though with some broken headers/images). In spite of the bottle pointing you to the Sprecher site, they make no mention of this root beer that I could find.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Sprecher Brewing Co. Glendale, WI 53209. 150 calories, 41g sugar. Glass bottle with pry off top. www.sprecherbrewery.com

Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, brown sugar, natural and artificial flavor, caramel color, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate (as a preservative), potassium sorbate.


My thoughts: This is my second encounter with Oak Creek recently, with their last "regular" (non-blonde) root beer failing to impress. This one offers something a little different, however, with the label claiming "25% brown sugar/75% real sugar." I do like a well done, brown sugar sweetened root beer, so let's see if this gentleman [points to self with both thumbs] prefers blondes.

Much like its non-blonde counterpart, the flavor is a bit weaker than I usually like. Not too terribly so, but I wouldn't mind a slight boost in the sassafras strength. Still mirroring the other root beer offering, it has an interesting flavor profile. Maybe it's just the "barrel aged" moniker putting it into my mind, but it does have a slight woody hint to it, reminding me of the sensation of when I eat a popsicle and my tongue licks the wooden stick. I think I like it, though. It's certainly different. The aftertaste doesn't seem to have the wintergreen or anise I was sensing from the non-blonde version, as the "woody" sensation becomes a little more prominent as the fairly basic rooty flavor fades away. I will say, this root beer does make me take more of a pause (in a good way) to experience the taste profile, as there's something going on that I'm not used to and can't quite figure out what it is. Perhaps it's the vanilla and brown sugar coming together at the end.

The carbonation in this blonde version is pretty decent. It's not super aggressive, with a smaller bubble profile, but it seems to hold pretty consistent through the whole bottle. It doesn't have a foam or froth, so misses out on some of the finer creaminess points, coming in about average feeling. Interestingly, the brown sugar mix doesn't seem to add a ton to the flavor, but as noted above it might be adding a little flavor profile rather than beating me over the head with that taste. When it comes to the sweetness, I think it's dialed in fairly well, sweet, but not too cloyingly syrupy.

This one is a tough one to rate. It has a lighter flavor than I usually care for, but there are some really interesting flavors going on underneath that I think benefit from not being overwhelmed by a super strong sassafras flavor. With the different approach here, I think this is a root beer all aficionados should try, even if I hesitate to call it one of the best. This is definitely one I'll need to circle back to and try again.

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

Otto's root beer

Background information: Otto's is a brewery and distillery that makes both sodas and alcoholic beverages. The site doesn't really have any background information.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Brewed and Bottled by Otto's Pub and Brewery, State College, PA. 180 calories, 45g sugar. Glass bottle with pry off top. www.ottospubandbrewery.com

Ingredients: Carbonated water, cane sugar, dark brown sugar, caramel color, gum arabic, natural and artificial flavors, phosphoric acid, citric acid, sodium benzoate, yucca extract, vanillin, and ethyl vanillin.


My thoughts: Despite being a little creeped out by the Otto's mascot's mustache, I'm hoping that their pub and brewery expertise is better than their graphic design sensibilities. Just know that the creepy little guy kept staring at me as I drank the root beer. Sure, he's toasting some sort of festivities, but behind those beady eyes is the mind of a deranged serial killer, I'm sure of it.

As far as root beers go, this one knows exactly what it is. There's a very strong root beer sassafras flavor. It's bold and good. Too often root beers are like, "I think I might want to be a root beer, but I'm not sure...so I'm just going to kind of do the flavor." Not here. Underneath the initial rooty flavor, I like what the brown sugar is doing. It's not as strong as some of the other brown sugar ones I've had, but I think the balance and slightly subtle molasses and vanilla/caramel taste is spot on. The aftertaste reveals a pleasant cooling wintergreen mint effect, with not too much mint flavor. Again, I like it when it doesn't feel like toothpaste minty, which this one happily avoids. I'll save that strong mint for when I'm brushing my teeth. probably my only knock against it is that it plays it a bit safe with the formula rather than trying anything super interesting with the spices. But sometimes I just want a solid root beer that's not trying to be too fancy.

Right out the gate, this isn't one of the aggressively carbonated root beers, but has a crisp, bubbly feel to it that only slightly prickles the tongue. This really comes down to personal preference, where I prefer the large bubbles of carbonation that attack my tongue, but this one is pretty dang good. I never felt like it was too flat. Sweetness is great, if not ever so slightly on the sugary side. I think this has to do with brown sugar feeling a bit thicker, but it's a tradeoff I'm more than happy to make. Finally, Otto's does have a creamy sensation, helped a bit by the vanilla flavor I'm sure, but it went down nice and smooth. Again, not a top-tier performer for creaminess, but much better than your average root beer.

Despite Otto being a complete creep, I just turned the bottle around so he faced away and couldn't stare at me with those eyes while I enjoyed the root beer. This one does a lot of things right and I would gladly recommend giving it a try.

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

Chumlee root beer

Background information: (from the website): "The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, LLC was founded in 2007 by Robert (Rob) Powells and Ryan Morgan and in 2012 Rich Shane became the company CEO. The original store opened in 2009. The Ventura, CA and Portland OR locations are company-owned. The Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop is the largest and fastest growing soda pop and candy shop franchise brand in America. Besides the two company owned stores all of the other Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop locations throughout the U.S.A. and Canada are franchised and are independently owned and operated. As the creators and co-owners of the entire Rocket Fizz system, Rob and Ryan carefully select each Rocket Fizz franchise store operator."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Intellectual property of and bottled by the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops, LLC., P.O. Box 5400, Incline Village, NV 89450. 170 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with pry off top. www.rocketfizz.com

Ingredients: Carbonated artisan spring water, pure cane sugar, citric acid, ester gum, caramel color and natural flavors. No preservatives: flash pasteurized for safety.


My thoughts: Okay, I've seen the occasional episode of Pawn Stars and at least know who Chumlee is, but why he needed his own root beer, I'll never know. Seeing as how this comes from the Rocket Fizz lineup of root beers, I have a suspicion that it'll be another generic repackaging of their standard formula. I haven't had any of the Rocket Fizz root beers side by side to compare directly, but looking over my reviews they seem to provide a very similar experience, so maybe one day I'll do a side by side to see if they are all the same with just a different label, or if there is actually some customization of their basic recipe for each one. But today is not that day, so onto the Chumlee review I go.

Up front, this is a wintergreen minty root beer, as the mint is immediately noticeable as a main flavor rather than just an aftertaste. It blends with the usual sassafras root beer flavor in a decent mix, but with those two absolutely dominating the flavor profile, don't leave room for other more subtle spices to make themselves known. There is a little hint of vanilla in the aftertaste, but this is primarily a wintergreen flavor profile, with the minty taste and cooling effects lingering behind long after drinking it.

The carbonation is nice and crispy, though there's not as much of it as I would like. It doesn't feel flat, by any means, but it's not as infused with the sharp bite of the bubbles as I prefer, though I do tend to like my carbonation on the more aggressive side. Sweetness is fine, though it's slightly hard to say if it feels less syrupy because the cooling effect of the mint may cover up my ability to feel the more subtle sugary sensation. It doesn't seem to be as creamy as some of my favorites, but again, I wonder how much of that is my mouth being cooled/numbed by the strength of the mint.

This isn't a bad root beer by any means. In fact, I thought it was fairly good, slightly above average. I'm not a huge fan of extremely minty root beers, as I prefer a little more subtlety so I can enjoy the other flavors. Even so, I did enjoy this one and if you love minty root beers, then this might be what you're looking for. This also seems to be a fair bit mintier than past Rocket Fizz root beers, so I guess I can safely say that they do allow for variation in their root beer recipes, so at least all their drinks are just rebadges of the same thing.

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

Root Jack Orange Flavored root beer

Background information: (from the website) "Welcome to the Interport home of RootJack, the Pirate's most delicious alternative to the bane that is known as Scurvy!

Rest ye squiffy boots and hear the tale of Cap'n Astrea Valentine and her magical elixir what kept the crew healthy and n'er put one foot in the locker.

Rootjack will not only balance out yer four humors, you'll step lively and spot futher than ye even thought possible. Thar's power in this draught.

RootJack's a tasty Root Beer with a hint of Orange flavor and Vanilla, Guarana to liven yer step, and a full daily dose of Vitamin C to keep scurvy in check.."

(from the bottle) "A tasty Root Beer with a hint of Orange flavor, Guarana to liven yer step, and Vitamin C to keep scurvy in check."

(note about website info): while the website ingredients show "high fructose corn syrup" and also proclaims that no preservatives are used, the actual bottle label lists "sugar" as an ingredient as well as "Potassium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (preserves freshness)," which are both preservatives, so I suspect the web info must be out of date.

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Manufactured for VooDoo Elixers, Inc, Mishawaka, IN. 190 calories, 47g sugar. 100% Daily Recommended Value of Vitamin C. 120mg Caffeine. Glass bottle with twist off top. www.rootjack.com (root beer site) www.PVKII.com (tie in with a video game). Not recommended for children, pregnant women or those sensitive to caffeine. 

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Citric Acid, Quillaja, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, Potassium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate (preserve freshness), Potassium Citrate, Caramel Color, Guarana Seed Extract, Calcium Disodium EDTA.


My thoughts: Yarrrrr! What be this draught of root beer? When me pirate crew needs a kick in the seat o' them britches, an energy drink they demand! Will this elixir ward off the scurvy, or tis it fit only fer them lily-livered landlubbers? We shall see if this earns its spot on me crew, or gets sent straight to the plank.

What an interesting concoction they have made. I can certainly taste the orange and there's some root beer flavor to it as well, but there's a good reason the two flavors are not typically mixed. While not awful, I don't think they are very complimentary flavors (and I really like orange vanilla coke, so I'm okay mixing orange with other flavors). Perhaps the problem lies not in the mixing, but in the base root beer taste. The drink has one of those slightly sour hints at first and I'm not a fan of the sour root beers. That sourness lingers around as the aftertaste leaves a very basic root beer taste that clashes with the orange. The aftertaste texture isn't too bad, as the taste fades away to a creamy, slightly vanilla, sensation.

When I think of pirates, I think of the high energy attacks on their enemies, with pirates swinging to and fro, leaping from banister to banister. Well, unfortunately the carbonation reminds me more of when they're in the middle of a large, empty ocean with the bright noon-day sun overhead, as the crew lounges around in the few spots of shade, the ship slowly lolling over gentle waves, rocking everyone to a lazy slumber. More directly to the point, the carbonation is weak, offering very little pizazz. In hand with this, there isn't enough carbonation to create a froth or creaminess to the drink, though there are hints of creaminess as part of the aftertaste, likely due to the quillaja in it. Not only does it betray me with little carbonation, but I'm left with a slightly filmier sugar feel in my mouth, with a touch too much sugar for my taste.

Shiver me timbers, this here root beer is goin' to walk the plank. It's got no sea legs and has no place on any self-respecting pirate ship, other than to ward off the scurvy. Alas, I be sending this one down to Davy Jones's locker. 

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