Dublin Texas root beer

Background information: (from the website): "The history of Dublin Bottling Works begins in 1891, but the real story begins a few years earlier and 80 miles to the east.

In 1885, the wild frontier town of Waco, Texas, was nicknamed “six-shooter junction.” Wade Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store was a prominent business and popular meeting place in downtown Waco. People came in for everything from flea powder to stationery, from cigars to fountain drinks.

One of Morrison’s employees, pharmacist Charles Alderton, noticed how customers loved the smell of the soda fountain with its many fruit, spice and berry aromas. He wanted to invent a drink that tasted the wonderful way the soda fountain smelled. After much experimentation he finally felt he had hit on “something different.” Patrons at the drug store agreed.

Soon other soda fountains were buying the syrup from Morrison and serving it. People loved the new unnamed drink and would order it by simply calling out “shoot me a Waco!” But Morrison named it Dr Pepper, after the father of a girl he had loved back in his home state of Virginia.

In 1891 Morrison and new partner Robert Lazenby organized the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company in order to sell Dr Pepper as well as other soft drinks.

That same year, while visiting Waco, a Texas businessman by the name of Sam Houston Prim tasted the fountain drink and knew he wanted to sell it through his new Dublin Bottling Works company. An agreement was made between Mr. Prim and Mr. Lazenby, and Dublin became home to the first facility to actually bottle Dr Pepper.

The soda enjoyed steady growth in sales and began to spread in popularity across the country. But it wasn’t until 1904 that Dr Pepper gained real national exposure. Along with other soon- to-be favorites like ice cream cones and hamburgers, Dr Pepper was introduced to the rest of the U.S. and the entire world at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.

Over the years, Dublin Bottling Works became known for the Kloster family’s commitment to friendly service and quality products, including the distinctive taste of what came to be called “Dublin Dr Pepper” and a host of other fantastic sodas, all made with pure cane sugar. Although Dublin Bottling Works no longer produces Dr Pepper, we maintain a special relationship and legacy that’s rooted in the life and work ethic of W.P. Kloster."


Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Bottled under the authority of Dublin Bottling Works, Inc. Dublin, Texas 1-888-398-1024.  160 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. http://www.dublinbottlingworks.com/


Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Phosphoric Acid, Citric Acid.


My thoughts: After making a recent business trip to Dallas, I thought it appropriate to review my Dublin Texas root beer.  Of all the root beers I've tried, this is the first to have an almost explosive effect upon opening the bottle.  It wasn't in danger of fizzing over, but instead made a popping sound as the cap came off.  This can only mean one thing: this root beer is eager to get into my mouth!

The initial flavor is certainly root beer flavored, though it reminds me of the sort of quality I get from a normal can, such as A&W.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but not that impressive either.  There isn't a whole lot of complexity going on.  The aftertaste is decent, a bit more of the typical root beer flavor.  Sometimes I think I detect an extremely subtle wintergreen, while other swallows I don't, so I'm not sure if it's just my imagination.

Despite the less than stellar flavor, I'm impressed with the other attributes.  The carbonation lives up to my very first impression as it's strong, but manages to be so without being harsh.  I'm pleased to report that it's also sweet without being syrupy.  Sometimes having very crisp carbonation causes the drinks to lose their smoothness, but this one manages to blend the two just right, with a pleasant creamy sensation as you drink it.

In the end, this root beer ended up as a mediocre root beer.  If they would only try to push the boundaries a bit more in the flavor department, they might come up with something truly worth writing home about.

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

Tommyknocker root beer

Background information: (from the bottle): "Tommyknockers slipped into Colorado gold camps with the immigrating Cornish miners during the 1859 rush.  These mischievous elves guided many a fortunate miner to the "Motherlode".  Renew the legend - share a Tommyknocker Root Beer with a friend."


Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO 80452.  160 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with pry off top. http://www.tommyknocker.com/


Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Organic Root Beer Flavor, Aged Organic Vanilla Extract, Pure Maple Syrup, Caramel Color, Citric Acid.


My thoughts: So, here's a drink that isn't afraid to go au naturel.  Fortunately, the elf mascot isn't having any of that and is fully clothed.  My first whiff of this aromatic root beer is interesting, as there seems to be a lot of spices wafting around in the bottle, with a very earthy spice scent dominating my nostrils.

The first taste is very strong.  I'm not used to root beer tasting anything like this and I'm not sure whether it's bad or good.  There's certainly some root beer in there, but a lot of other spices are vying for attention, and I'm not sure what they all are.  One of them reminds me of dark molasses and another of grain (like wheat or barley or something).  The aftertaste isn't particularly pleasant, as it has a slight sour tinge to it.  I'm doing a terrible job of describing the flavor, as it's so unlike any other root beer that I'm not quite certain where a lot of the flavors are coming from.  It certainly feels complex and, stealing an adjective from the ingredients list, seems "aged".

Now on to things that I can better assess: the carbonation is great, nice and bubbly, with just the right amount of kick.  It feels nice and creamy and goes down very smoothly.  Sugar feels spot on, as it is sweet without leaving an overly sugary residue behind.

I'm at odds with this.  First and foremost, I'm not a huge fan of the overall flavor.  In fact, I can't quite decide whether it's gross or whether I like it.  While it doesn't make me want to go pick up a six pack, I find myself oddly intrigued with its flavor.  There have been a few root beers that I didn't like and wouldn't have felt bad if I had never sampled that particular flavor before, but this one leaves me feeling glad that I had the opportunity to try something so different, even if it wasn't the most pleasant experience.  I'd recommend giving this a try just for the experience, even though my score may not reflect that sentiment that well.

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

Rocket Fizz root beer float

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 "flagship" store located in Camarillo, California opened in 2009. The Camarillo and Sherman Oaks, California locations are company-owned. In under five years the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops has become 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. 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. Any questions or comments regarding the Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shops company, its history, its future, or its founders and owners Rob and Ryan, must be directed to the Rocket Fizz company at info@rocketfizz.com. Thank you and we hope your day is a BLAST-off!"

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Intellectual property of and bottled by: Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shops, LLC. P.O. Box 3663, Camarillo, CA 93011.  170 calories, 42g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. http://www.rocketfizz.com/


Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, caramel color. sodium benzoate (preservative), gum acacia, natural & artificial flavor.


My thoughts: I like root beer.  I also like ice cream.  Combine the two and you have one of the most delicious concoctions on the face of the earth.  So when you have a rocket as part of your logo and name, it tells me that this concoction should be one of the most delicious things not only on the face of earth, but anywhere in space as well.  So, is this drink more SpaceX or Orbital Science?

This is sort of an odd root beer.  The initial flavor is moderately rooty, but there is a dominating creamy flavored overtone.  I'm not sure what the exact flavor is that I'm tasting; it's odd, but interesting.  Aftertaste reminds me a bit of the butterscotch root beers I've tried, but I'm not entirely certain that butterscotch is quite the right name for the flavor.  The website offers no insight into what these flavors might be.

Rocket Fizz root beer float is a pretty sweet drink, sort of reminding me of candy.  I'm left with a moderately sugary feeling in my mouth, a bit more than I care for.  This is probably due to trying to replicate the ice cream part of the float, something that's difficult to pull off without having chunks of the frozen goodness.  Carbonation is okay, but could certainly use a little more "fizz" to it.  This is a pretty creamy drink, though, and goes down nice and smooth.

Normally, I only go through about half a bottle figuring out my thoughts (and then I just finish off the other half while filling out the technical details such as product details, ingredients, and background info).  This drink was different enough that I drank the whole bottle just to compile this "my thoughts" section.  I don't necessarily love it, as it's a bit too candy-like, but it isn't a total disaster either.  In the end, it's an interesting root beer that offers something a bit different than I'm used to, for better or worse.  It's neither the SpaceX of root beers, nor is it the complete disaster of Orbital Science (note to self, don't buy old Russian rocket engines that were built well before I was born).  If you're looking for a root beer that is out of this world, you'll have to look elsewhere.

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

A&W root beer

Background information: (from the website): "In 1919, at a parade honoring returning World War I veterans in Lodi, California, Roy Allen set up a roadside drink stand to offer a new thick and creamy drink, root beer. His creation was such a success, he decided to take on a partner, Frank Wright. In 1922, Allen and Wright combined their initials to name the beverage A&W Root Beer."

"Allen wasted no time opening his first permanent root beer stand in Lodi, followed by a second one in Sacramento. It featured the first "drive-in" concept with "tray-boys" for curbside service. Then, in 1924 Allen bought out Wright to pursue a franchising program, which became America's first franchised restaurant chain. He sold A&W Root Beer concentrate exclusively to these franchises to ensure quality. By 1933, more than 170 outlets were franchised."

*more history can be read on the A&W website


Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by: Dr. Pepper/Seven Up, inc. Plano, TX 75024.  170 calories, 45g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. http://www.rootbeer.com/


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


My thoughts: Ahhh, the old stalwart A&W root beer, available pretty much anywhere.  This is the root beer that many are familiar with, as its ubiquity makes it widely accessible.  From cans and 2-liter bottles, to candy and from the tap, it's an iconic flavor.  Since most people drink it from the can, this was more or less the one that I established as my average (or "C" level) root beer.  I've eaten at the A&W restaurant before, where they serve it in frosy mugs straight from the tap.  I have to say that I found it to taste better that way than its canned counterpart.  So how does it hold up when it comes in a glass bottle?

Well, it certainly has a nice strong rooty taste to it, leaning a little towards the artificial side, but still retaining some of its classic roots.  Nothing too complex.  As the initial flavor subsides, I'm left with an aftertaste that is quite similar to the main flavor, though I detect a little vanilla and perhaps a tad of wintergreen.

I like that after I drink it, there isn't a super sugary coating in my mouth.  While it uses high fructose corn syrup instead of cane sugar, I didn't find it objectionable.  Carbonation is moderate, and could use a little more pizazz to it.  It certainly went down smooth, with a little creaminess.  Nothing too crazy, but not exactly reaching for a higher bar.

In the end, A&W delivers a solid root beer that is neither a standout nor a disappointment.  The canned version was always a solid choice and I think I prefer it slightly in a bottle.  It's a good root beer that I would drink again, but I wouldn't necessarily spend the extra money to get it in a glass bottle instead of a much cheaper 2-liter or can.

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

Root Beer win!

At the behest of a friend, I visited Rocket Fizz today to see if they had any root beers that I have not yet tried.  I expected to find one or two, so was pleasantly surprised to find eleven new root beers!  Combined with the other three I had acquired from Galco's, it seems that now I've got enough to keep me busy for a while.

Speaking of Rocket Fizz, that place has some very strange sodas.  A few that I can recall: bacon, peanut butter and jelly, ranch, and chocolate.  Some of the flavors sounded interesting, others downright disgusting.  But if you're in the market for a variety of strange carbonated beverages, Rocket Fizz is hard to beat!

New year, new root beer!

My root beer reviews have been slowing down as time moves on.  I seem to have tried most of the root beers that are available at the stores I shop.  Fortunately, the last time I was at Galco's they had three new root beers in that I haven't reviewed yet, so I'll have those coming up soon.  I'm still on the lookout for any other places that might carry root beers that I haven't found yet.  A friend just recommended a new place to me recently, so I'm going to drop by there today and hopefully find more drinks for my blog!

Cicero Beverage Co. Salted Caramel root beer

Background information: The bottle and website don't seem to have much information, with the website merely listing a couple awards for this drink as some other beverages they offer.  I'm intrigued by their "Candied Bacon Cream Soda" as well as their upcoming "Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Soda."

Product details: 12 fl. oz.  Distributed by: CBC Sales Inc., Chicago, IL 60607.  180 calories, 45g sugar. Glass bottle with twist off top. http://www.cicerobeverages.com


Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Caramel Color, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Salt (Sodium Chloride), Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), and Citric Acid.


My thoughts: I'll admit, I'm a sucker for all things caramel.  So anything I say here might be influenced by the delicious taste of this gooey confection.  But don't worry, I didn't let it get the best of me.

The cap came off with a very strong "pop!", indicating that there would be plenty of carbonation in this drink.  As I poured the root beer into my mouth, I was prepared for something wondrous...but instead was left a little perplexed.  The "root beer" itself has a bit of a sour taste, a flavor I've encountered before and am decidedly not a fan of.  There isn't a lot of sassafras here and is overpowered by the caramel flavor.

Aftertaste brings out more of the caramel goodness, plenty sweet and tasty.  As I predicted, the carbonation is plenty powerful, perhaps a bit too much for some, but I like my root beer to have some bite to it.  Fortunately, despite the powerful effervescence, there is no hint of the dreaded "carbonated water" flavor.  Somehow, this incredibly strong carbonation is able to mix in a nice creamy sensation, perhaps buoyed by the caramel.  The drink is a bit sweet, but not more than I'd expect from a caramel beverage.

This could have been one of my favorite root beers, but for the lack of, well, root beer.  The rooty flavor is conspicuously weak and matters are made even worse by the subtle sourness I'm detecting.  Everything else about this is what I want from a beverage (perhaps a tad less sweet would be nice), but the final score reflects that this is supposed to be, first and foremost, root beer.

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