Art of Manliness: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness
Tig
· 1 year ago
Gentleman, These are good choices of root beers, but I know of one that failed to make your list. Henry Weinhard's Root Beer is, in my humble opinion, the best root beer made today. Unfortunately, I can not find a link for their homepage, however if you search for the name, you can find plenty of places to order from. Worth giving a try, I would like to see how you all rank it against the rest of your selections. Best of luck, Tig
Jeff Craig
· 1 year ago
Interesting post, and I'm going to be interested in following it, I've been moving towards reducing sharply the amount of processed food, and especially HFCS, from my diet, so I look forward to this.
> All the sodas we will review are made with pure cane sugar or another > natural sweetener, since as you know, sodas made with high fructose > corn syrup constitutes soda sacrilege and aren’t worth the flimsy can > they come in. Most of the sodas will also be from independent bottlers.
The Food and Drug Administration, has recently (July) decided that High Fructose Corn Syrup legally fits the definition of a 'natural sweetner'.
This is highly regrettable for both health and flavor reasons, but it does give that much more reason to seek out independent vendors who still have pride in their product. Quality costs, but it's so worth it.
Mike
· 1 year ago
I second Henry Weinhard’s, and it is available at safeway (or was). I can't find their root beer, but their web site is http://www.henryweinhards.com/ and if you look at their wikipedia page, you will see the soda's they make.
Brian
· 1 year ago
I go back and forth between Weinhard's and Bulldog rootbeer (http://www.bulldogrootbeer.com/) which is available at most Cost Plus World Market's.
Shadoglare
· 1 year ago
Can't say I've ever seen any of these being sold around here, even the Berghoff, and I live less than two hours from Chicago :( I've tried Jones root beer, which was pretty blah actually, regardless of the cane sugar.
So far my favorite (pretty good but I'm still looking for something better) is probably Roundhouse Rootbeer, another Chicagoland brew which I did a short review of back in June on my blog if anyone is interested in checking it out.
By the way, I must have missed something somewhere - what does "OG" mean?
Brett
· 1 year ago
@Shadoglare-
"OG" is slang for "original gangster." People use it humorously to mean something really old, the first generation of something. I'm basically using it here to mean-"Does it have a long history?"
Jeff
· 1 year ago
You should give Abita Root Beer a try. You'd probably have to go to New Orleans to find it in a store, but it looks like you can order it here: http://www.popsoda.com/abitarootbeer.html
Hussey
· 1 year ago
The era of soda poppery began in the early 1900s. Early soft drinks, or tonics as they were called, were available in a wide variety of flavors. Sassafras root bark created the classic American flavor we have come to know as Root Beer. Americana Cream Style is produced in true micro fashion, only 600 gallons at a time. Our extracts are carefully blended with pure cane sugar to produce a rich creamy flavor made in the tradition of those old times sodas.
Steve
· 1 year ago
Relatively easy to find, Wisconsin-made Sprecher Root Beer tops my list, though the only one that you listed I have tried is Boylan. I was at a family reunion in WI and they had a keg of this stuff - best thing to hit my taste buds in a while!
Steven
· 1 year ago
Where's Virgil's? Surely it warrants some consideration.
Andrew
· 1 year ago
Wow, you've all forgotten Sparky's Fresh Draft Root Beer, the 2003 World Beer Champions Gold Medal Winner in the Root Beer category. Pick that stuff up. http://www.sparkysrootbeer.com/
Lee
· 1 year ago
WHich is the best root beer?
That's like asking which is the best colonoscopy.
Steve
· 1 year ago
Agreed with Tig. Henry Weinhard's is hands down the best root beer I have ever found. I think its mostly only found on the west coast. I have to get it shipped to me in Wisconsin. 2 cases under my bed right now
It is only available in Kegs so you won't find a 6 pack anywhere
Phil Gerbyshak
· 1 year ago
Steve's right: Sprecher is best!
You have a great list of reviews though. Very thorough! Much to think about and try!
justin
· 1 year ago
Red Ribbon root beer is microbrewed to perfection, using dry ice to carbonate it giving it a very smooth feel with just enough bite to make it interesting, and a rich flavor to boot. I can't describe it too accurately, but I definitely trusted the taste of the guy who owned the old soda shop in Los Angeles who recommended it to me.
I have to agree with the other Steve too...No Sprecher's?? And if you like cream soda, they've got the best too, but that's another list.
Brett
· 1 year ago
@Sprecher fans-
Sprecher's is made with HFCS which disqualified it. Although it also uses honey as a sweetener, so maybe I should give it a pass.
evan mathews
· 1 year ago
This kinda of a silly article. There's over 1000 root beers in the US and you haven't touched close to some of the best one's. Sprecter and Weinhard's are great beers. So is Gayle's out of Chicago, Fitz's in St. Louis etc. etc.
This article is akin to judging the best Micro breweries without including 90 per cent of the breweries.
You're asking for a war. Try again.
Brett
· 1 year ago
@Evan-
It's not meant to be comprehensive, it's just for fun. Lighten up man.
Weinhard's, Sprecher's, and Gale's are all made with HFCS and were thus out of the running. Please try again.
Valla
· 1 year ago
I don't know too many of the major root beer brands (outside the really bad, really commercialized ones), but the best I've ever tried, hands down, is Virgil's Root Beer. I've only ever found it at Trader Joe's (yeah yeah...), but if you guys find it at any other normal stores please let me know :)
rengal
· 1 year ago
Well done! and thank you for not wasting time on the ones sweetened with high frustose corn syrup. No matter how you define it, that sweetener really is garbage, whether you look at it for taste or by its affect on the body. My children and I are allergic to corn (my husband can eat anything), and I'm really grateful you chose root beers that were sweetened with cane sugar.
~and in regards to the above commenters: although Henry Weinhard's is tasty, it does have corn syrup in it and other corn derived ingredients in it.
Matt S.
· 1 year ago
Evan Mathews above mentioned Fitz of St. Louis. Wonderful stuff. Plus, you can see it being bottled while sitting at the counter enjoying lunch or a root beer float. Another good one is made by the same folks who make Saranac beer - they also make a decent root beer.
Andrew M.
· 1 year ago
I'm also a big fan of Virgil's. You absolutely MUST try their "special edition Bavarian nutmeg" it is by far the best root beer I've ever had. I also like Fitz's as well and I believe they have locations in Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago.
Great post BTW, I'll have to find some of those to try for myself
Scooter
· 1 year ago
Henry Weinhard tops this list
Michael Johnson
· 1 year ago
Fine review, I have not had all the beers on the list but am a regular drinker of Capt’n Eli’s Root Beer.
As an aside, if you are interested in some really strong Ginger Beer then taste test the Capt’n Eli’s Ginger Beer. Too strong for me! But an interesting old-fashion taste non-the-less.
Matt Goldberg
· 1 year ago
I'd be curious to know how these stack up against the the three root beers with the largest market share: A&W, Barq's, and IBC. I'm not saying these sodas are better or worse; I just want to know how they compare.
I live about 20 minutes from Redmond, just north of Seattle. Does anybody know a place that sells Americana Root Beer?
Mac
· 1 year ago
Hey,
Even if it's disqualified, you'd all be better people for having tried Wisconsin made Sprecher Root Beer. They make it right by my old neighborhood. It's a classic!
Brett
· 1 year ago
@Matt-
Yeah, it would have been interesting have thrown them in just for comparison.
We did do a taste test awhile back, putting Dr. Pepper made with HFCS against Dublin Dr. Pepper, still made with cane sugar. We wanted to see if our purist commitment was reasonable or just unfounded snobbery. We gave a blind taste to a bunch of our friends, and only 2 out of 12 people didn't prefer the cane sugar variety. And the 2 dissenters didn't have a preference. We filmed the test and we were going to post it on the site but we cut off a bunch of the reactions by accident when filming.
CaptBig
· 1 year ago
Frostie Root Beer. There is no equal. Originally brewed in Baltimore in the late 30's, now bottled in Texas and distributed mostly in the Southeast. "Frostie man, Frostie"
Rod Homor
· 1 year ago
AH, finally a topic I can share my expertise about with your loyal readers, LOL. (I say this after finishing my dinner and root beer...)
Sure, Berghoff's is a fine CHicago root beer, but heck, I would be remiss if I didn't educate you about another fine brew: Goose Island Root Beer!
Helikaon
· 1 year ago
I agree with Fitz's...just grabbed a case in St. Louis (they have a restaurant and you can watch them bottle it). Highly recommended.
I'm glad I'm not the only commenter saying "what about Virgil's?" I particularly agree with Andrew M., who calls the special edition Bavarian nutmeg the best root beer he's ever had. It was $5/bottle at my local specialty grocery store. I don't usually spend that kind of money on soda, but I had to know what a $5 root beer tasted like, and I was not disappointed. It puts more than enough distance between itself and whatever 2nd place is to warrant the price tag.
Brett
· 1 year ago
I am duly convinced. I must find me a Virgil's.
David
· 1 year ago
I have to agree wiht the several fans of Sprecher's who wrote before me. I have it brought to me from anyone that visits WI (now live in AR but found Sprecher's while living in WI. Seems like a minor technicality re: the sweetner. It's still the best I've enjoyed.
You also missed several other good WI root beers but perhaps because of the HFCS issue.
Fish
· 1 year ago
I agree you should try Abita root beer
Aaron Krug
· 1 year ago
Adding another one to the long list of Henry Weinhards supporters. A nice review can be found at:
Contact me at my email and I will send you a bottle if you wish. I would send a glass bottle. Plastic stinks.
Beau
· 1 year ago
I'm one of the Henry Weinhard's root beer fans out there. Hands down, I think that it is the best root beer.
I've had some of the brews mentioned in the comments, but none are as good (and readily available) as Weinhard's.
This was a great read!
Chris
· 1 year ago
Because nothing says manliness like root beer.
Sodas? Really?
An article on making your own would be more appropriate for this site. Hell an article on making your own beer would be even better.
Andy
· 1 year ago
I was going to mention virgil's, but I noticed it had already been said. The root beer was excellent, but their cream soda is probably the best soda of any kind, hands down.
Michael
· 1 year ago
I'll add another voice to the Virgil's choir. They're owned by Reeds and have similar distribution. Not everywhere that has one has the other, but that is usually the case. I used to buy Virgil's at Dodson's when I lived in Norman. I'd also recommend trying some of the Reed's Ginger Brews if you go to get some Virgil's. They are much less sweet than root beer, and have a very strong ginger taste. Some of their sodas are sweetened with fructose (which I'm pretty sure is from non corn sources) while others are sweetened only with honey and fruit juice.
When you were in Vermont did you try any of the Pop Soda varieties? I liked them quite a bit when I was visiting Vermont.
Dan Nelson
· 1 year ago
Terrific Choices all of them. I have never tried the Americana, I will have to seek it out. I saw a review of your off the shelf variety here:
I'm a lucky man. I just found out that the distributor for Americana is a couple blocks from where I work. I'm goin' get my drink on!
Denise Montgomery
· 1 year ago
Anyone know where you can buy any of these? I live in GA and I have NEVER seen Mason's in ANY store or restaurant in GA!
Would really like to try the Americana Root Beer...I'm headed to Portland, OR in a few days and if there's any possibility of getting it there...
Hasnain
· 1 year ago
At first, I was in shock that Virgil's wasnt mentioned in the reviews. But Virgil's has a strong support base. When I searched for it by name, I felt at ease that reader's know good root beer and cream soda! Best I've had. Their cream soda is aaah-mazing.
Hasnain
· 1 year ago
I'd like to know how Virgil's stacks up to the competition in this review. Would love to know if something tastes better.
Brett McKay
· 1 year ago
@Hasain-
We couldn't find any Virgil's for the review. But we'll keep our eyes open and if we come across it, we'll definitely add it in.
Lou
· 1 year ago
You omitted the best biylans, The CREAMY RED, has hints of avnilla, really nice. If you gave 3 bottle tops to the regular, the red if worth 4 or more.
Adrian
· 1 year ago
This is a great topic for manliness! however, I really think the manliness of root beer is trumped by the machismo of birch beer, and the king daddy of them all sarsaparilla!
Cynthia
· 1 year ago
I'm not particularly interested in manliness (being quite comfortable in my femininity), but I love root beer. I did a bit of research to see if the root beers might be available online. I claim nothing for these websites except that they came up as a Google search for each of the root beers.
And for those of us who want to conduct our own taste test, this site offers "sampler packs" of regional root beers (I don't think they're fussy about HFCS vs sugar though): http://www.straubs.com/category.html?id=30&...
Eric Mangold
· 1 year ago
VIRGIL'S ROOT BEER - This is the best damn root beer I've ever tasted. It has an amazing, natural root beer flavor complemented with exotic spices and licorice. Mmmmm so tasty.
It won the "Outstanding Beverage" Award at the International Fancy Food and Confection Show in 1994, 1996, and 1997.
Actually there is nothing more manly than an awesome burger (which fast food burger is the best, may be another topic for AoM) onion rings, topped offed with an iced cold. not to sweet, refreshing, delicious root beer, like IBC (my root of choice). Furthermore women may enjoy the occasional root beer... but in this day and age when Metro-sexuals and Women alike are extremely health conscious to the point they won't part take in one of life's best drinks, it is definitely worth mentioning!
Baniz
· 1 year ago
Americans should forget about root beer and Dr Pepper. Australians should forget about root beer. The best soda is Coca-Cola, Creaming Soda and Lemonade
Granata
· 1 year ago
I found Americana at Pops in Arcadia, OK last night. It was great! Thanks for the recommendation.
Tim
· 1 year ago
You forgot to rate Bulldog Rootbeer. I think it is the best.
William
· 1 year ago
Berghoff is my recent favorite. I love how it's flavorful without being too intense, too sweet, or too fizzy. I tried the barleycorn recently and it had a VERY different and distinct flavor. Not exactly root beer, but very good as a unique drink. I think Eli's is so-so and Bolyan soda is all garbage across the board. Virgil's root beer is very good. YOU FORGOT FAYGO ROOT BEER! the second best ever! my previous favorite before berghoff! it's great because it's not as sugary, nor as carbonated as most soda anywhere. Sprecher soda made some of the worst "ginger beer" I've ever had and I blew off the whole brand because of it. Abita is mediocre at best. Virgil's is pretty good, but I liked the "barleycorn" one better.
I do enjoy Henry Weinhard's a lot, even if it does have high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. I hate when people call it HFC like you're stupid for not knowing their lingo. Anyway. You should do one of these on ginger beer! YAYUH! I have never had anything as good as Iggie's fiery ginger beer in steel cans from the UK but I haven't had it for years as it was only available to me one time at a highland games. Eli's is one of the best I've had since then, as well as bundaberg's from australia. I really like the Reeds extra ginger brew, but it's still not fiery enough for me.
:D I love root beer!
William
· 1 year ago
Correction - Idris fiery ginger beer.
Rafael
· 1 year ago
My favorite Root Beer has always been Stewart's Root Beer. It is the best one I have tasted.
Stewart's did win the 2006 World Cup of Root Beer.
"are you kidding me? what about " BULLDOG" ROOTBEER .. only the winner of several reviews already, just google and see for yourself.... its only made with pure cane sugar with a touch of vanilla and honey. and HAS nothing remotely artificaL IN IT....
Tehki
· 1 year ago
@Rocco Stanzione - Virgil's is a good soda, but it is just barely a root beer at all. Very low sasparilla flavor, not much licorice(what gives root beer its bite) and not particularly sweet(depending on the connoisseur this is more or less important) Buckin' Root Beer is my current favorite though I am always on the hunt. I've seen some good suggestions here but Virgil's is low on the totem.
leatherthroat
· 1 year ago
Interesting blog here. Gotta tell ya, if you want really good root beer, you've gotta come to my neck of the woods. I live in Amish country (Lancaster county, PA). The Amish around here make and sell homemade root beer. A lot of times it's just a couple of glass gallon jugs sitting beside the road with a cash box. Everything is sold on the honor system. Want a jug, put your dollar in the box. Wanna steal it? I guess your judgment day will come.
Anyway, it's like the mini-microbrew of the root beer world. I always grab a jug from different places when I'm out. The interesting thing is, the taste can vary from one batch to the other, all being made by the same guy. If I pick up a really good jug, I'll go back and buy the rest of that batch.
Plus, the glass jugs make great piggy-banks to collect your quarters for poker.
If you find yourself in this area, make sure to get some of the local stuff, you won't regret it. But please, don't drive like a tourist!
Root Beer Fanatic
· 1 year ago
Wow! You guys are forgetting the best Root Beer Available. Haven't you considered A&W. I mean, the tone in this drink is priceless. I give this drink to all my children as soon as they can use a sippy cup. With the high fructose corn syrup and amazing advertising, it is second to none. Plus, you can pretty much purchase this gem in any grocery store. Don't forget to add a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream. Heaven comes to mind with this coctail of delight.
stevieV
· 1 year ago
Hey, great blog and a lot of personally valuable input for this budding Root beer connoisseur. I have always loved Root beer but my early exposure to hard-to-find brands definitely showed me that there is what I'd call "Real Root Beer" and what I'd call "Not-so-real." For me, and this is just little 'ole me, brands like Mug, Barq's and many others - including A&W (sorry if you're a fan) - fall into the latter category.
You mentioned Hires Root beer - but it was not on your list. Maybe you've had no more luck finding it anywhere than I have!?
Finally - if you are ever in the Taylors Falls area of Minnesota - right on the borders of S. Central MN. and Wi. - you MUST go to "The Drive-Inn Restaurant" there on the more northern end of town. There is a putt-putt golf course right behind it. Anyway - some guy in there makes his own home-made rootbeer in the back of the little building. It was THEE best Root-beer I have ever had.
I would recommend "Dorothy's Root Beer". It is made in Ely MN, and has a very interesting history behind it.
kasper
· 12 months ago
Please can someone clarify for a poor Englishman... Is root beer the same as ginger beer? Or is ginger beer a type of root beer, ginger being a root? I guess the best one that's available this side of the Atlantic is Fentiman's traditional ginger beer, which has a nice kick to it, but please let me know if anyone knows of an American 'root' beer available in the U.K....
cory
· 12 months ago
Henry Weinhard's and Gale's. try these two and you will come to Jesus.
Wishbone43
· 11 months ago
The best, hands down is:
.....Virgil's Root Beer......
The right combination of spices, sugar, and carbonation make it a delight to drink. Feels like velvet on your tongue!!!!! ---
Buy it at 'Trader Joe's
Feed Mill
· 10 months ago
Ok, I see all these root beers and nobody mentioned Sprechers Soda. Its fire brewed like the old time stuff and is out of this world. sweetend with red honey from wisconson. We sell it in our store. Its great!
Kaleo Kala
· 10 months ago
First of all I have never tried any of the Root beers on the list. But I sure would like too.
I recently moved to Philadelphia and found what has to be one of the best Root Beers ever. Now I know there are many of you here that enjoy Virgil's. I to enjoy it, but it's far from the best. The best is known as ABC (Appalachian Brewing Company) www.abcbrew.com
As for Ginger Beers hands down the best ever is Bunderburg Ginger Beer out of Australia. You can get it at World Market. If you see it, you have to try it.
Love the post.
jurisnaturalist
· 10 months ago
I read "Root Beer" and thought of Weinhard's. This, yet I haven't had a bottle in over 10 years. I moved to the East Coast about that time and have never found Weinhard's out here. But the fact that there is this one brand of root beer out there that I know Ilove, and haven't had in a decade, but remember... well, it says a lot. And someone said Safeway carries it, and there's now a Safeway nearby... Guess where I'm headed tomorrow after church!
Brock
· 10 months ago
If anybody is ever in Kentucky, grab an Ale-8-One. I guarantee you've never had a soda, or "pop" where I'm from, like it. I'm pretty sure, however, that they have also switched to high fructose corn syrup like the rest of the larger bottling companies.
JayNay
· 9 months ago
Let me take you back to the good old days of Barq's, when it was made and sold only locally in Biloxi, MS. I used to drink it room temperature because it was so full-bodied. Pouring it over ice diluted it too much. But it was also good straight out of the fridge.
When Coca-Cola bought them out, they ruined it. Even if they say they use the same syrup recipe, they don't. They put too much fizz in it and it also isn't bottled with good old Biloxi spring water...or sewer water...whichever
I've tried a lot of the ones mentioned here but even if some do have HFCS, sorry, high fructose corn syrup, I do recommend Weinhard's. Another one I like alot is Iron Horse. But it wouldn't be included here, again because of HFCS.
Greg T
· 9 months ago
Interesting that none of these are, or claim, 1919 as the year they started. Apparently Prohibition produced a lot of mass produced root beer and that was about it.
All Comments
These are good choices of root beers, but I know of one that failed to make your list. Henry Weinhard's Root Beer is, in my humble opinion, the best root beer made today. Unfortunately, I can not find a link for their homepage, however if you search for the name, you can find plenty of places to order from. Worth giving a try, I would like to see how you all rank it against the rest of your selections.
Best of luck,
Tig
> All the sodas we will review are made with pure cane sugar or another
> natural sweetener, since as you know, sodas made with high fructose
> corn syrup constitutes soda sacrilege and aren’t worth the flimsy can
> they come in. Most of the sodas will also be from independent bottlers.
The Food and Drug Administration, has recently (July) decided that High Fructose Corn Syrup legally fits the definition of a 'natural sweetner'.
http://www.foodproductdesign.com/hotnews/fda-sa...
Regrettably, this is a reversal from a position stated in April.
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Regulation/...
This is highly regrettable for both health and flavor reasons, but it does give that much more reason to seek out independent vendors who still have pride in their product. Quality costs, but it's so worth it.
I've tried Jones root beer, which was pretty blah actually, regardless of the cane sugar.
So far my favorite (pretty good but I'm still looking for something better) is probably Roundhouse Rootbeer, another Chicagoland brew which I did a short review of back in June on my blog if anyone is interested in checking it out.
By the way, I must have missed something somewhere - what does "OG" mean?
"OG" is slang for "original gangster." People use it humorously to mean something really old, the first generation of something. I'm basically using it here to mean-"Does it have a long history?"
That's like asking which is the best colonoscopy.
Also another one that should be considered is 1919 roobeer:
http://www.1919rootbeer.com/1919/
It is only available in Kegs so you won't find a 6 pack anywhere
You have a great list of reviews though. Very thorough! Much to think about and try!
www.sodapopstop.com should have some.
Sprecher's is made with HFCS which disqualified it. Although it also uses honey as a sweetener, so maybe I should give it a pass.
This article is akin to judging the best Micro breweries without including 90 per cent of the breweries.
You're asking for a war. Try again.
It's not meant to be comprehensive, it's just for fun. Lighten up man.
Weinhard's, Sprecher's, and Gale's are all made with HFCS and were thus out of the running. Please try again.
My children and I are allergic to corn (my husband can eat anything), and I'm really grateful you chose root beers that were sweetened with cane sugar.
~and in regards to the above commenters: although Henry Weinhard's is tasty, it does have corn syrup in it and other corn derived ingredients in it.
Great post BTW, I'll have to find some of those to try for myself
As an aside, if you are interested in some really strong Ginger Beer then taste test the Capt’n Eli’s Ginger Beer. Too strong for me! But an interesting old-fashion taste non-the-less.
Even if it's disqualified, you'd all be better people for having tried Wisconsin made Sprecher Root Beer. They make it right by my old neighborhood. It's a classic!
Yeah, it would have been interesting have thrown them in just for comparison.
We did do a taste test awhile back, putting Dr. Pepper made with HFCS against Dublin Dr. Pepper, still made with cane sugar. We wanted to see if our purist commitment was reasonable or just unfounded snobbery. We gave a blind taste to a bunch of our friends, and only 2 out of 12 people didn't prefer the cane sugar variety. And the 2 dissenters didn't have a preference. We filmed the test and we were going to post it on the site but we cut off a bunch of the reactions by accident when filming.
Sure, Berghoff's is a fine CHicago root beer, but heck, I would be remiss if I didn't educate you about another fine brew: Goose Island Root Beer!
http://www.virgils.com/about.shtml
It's definitely worth a taste.
You also missed several other good WI root beers but perhaps because of the HFCS issue.
http://www.rootbeerreviews.com/brews/henryweinh...
or
http://www.lukecole.com/root%20beer/Luke%27s%20...
or
http://www.sodaking.com/product_info.php/produc...
or
http://www.bevnet.com/reviews/henry_weinhard/Us...
In short, many folks out there think this is the best around as far as root beer is concerned.
http://www.cheerwine.com
Contact me at my email and I will send you a bottle if you wish. I would send a glass bottle. Plastic stinks.
I've had some of the brews mentioned in the comments, but none are as good (and readily available) as Weinhard's.
This was a great read!
Sodas? Really?
An article on making your own would be more appropriate for this site. Hell an article on making your own beer would be even better.
They're owned by Reeds and have similar distribution. Not everywhere that has one has the other, but that is usually the case. I used to buy Virgil's at Dodson's when I lived in Norman.
I'd also recommend trying some of the Reed's Ginger Brews if you go to get some Virgil's. They are much less sweet than root beer, and have a very strong ginger taste. Some of their sodas are sweetened with fructose (which I'm pretty sure is from non corn sources) while others are sweetened only with honey and fruit juice.
When you were in Vermont did you try any of the Pop Soda varieties? I liked them quite a bit when I was visiting Vermont.
http://www.jath.com/mt/jathmt/archives/2000/03/...
Would really like to try the Americana Root Beer...I'm headed to Portland, OR in a few days and if there's any possibility of getting it there...
We couldn't find any Virgil's for the review. But we'll keep our eyes open and if we come across it, we'll definitely add it in.
Berghoff Root Beer http://www.beveragesdirect.com/products/berghoff/
Mason's Root Beer http://www.popsoda.com/masonsrootbeer.html
Journey's John Barleycorn Root Beer
http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/detail.cfm?...
Capt'n Eli's Root Beer http://www.sodaking.com/product_info.php/produc...
Boylan's Root Beer http://www.amazon.com/Boylan-Bottleworks-Root-B...
Americana Microcrafted Root Beer
http://www.amazon.com/Americana-Root-Beer-12-Pa...
And for those of us who want to conduct our own taste test, this site offers "sampler packs" of regional root beers (I don't think they're fussy about HFCS vs sugar though):
http://www.straubs.com/category.html?id=30&...
It won the "Outstanding Beverage" Award at the International Fancy Food and Confection Show in 1994, 1996, and 1997.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil's_Root_Beer
Actually there is nothing more manly than an awesome burger (which fast food burger is the best, may be another topic for AoM) onion rings, topped offed with an iced cold. not to sweet, refreshing, delicious root beer, like IBC (my root of choice). Furthermore women may enjoy the occasional root beer... but in this day and age when Metro-sexuals and Women alike are extremely health conscious to the point they won't part take in one of life's best drinks, it is definitely worth mentioning!
I tried the barleycorn recently and it had a VERY different and distinct flavor. Not exactly root beer, but very good as a unique drink.
I think Eli's is so-so and Bolyan soda is all garbage across the board.
Virgil's root beer is very good.
YOU FORGOT FAYGO ROOT BEER! the second best ever! my previous favorite before berghoff! it's great because it's not as sugary, nor as carbonated as most soda anywhere.
Sprecher soda made some of the worst "ginger beer" I've ever had and I blew off the whole brand because of it.
Abita is mediocre at best.
Virgil's is pretty good, but I liked the "barleycorn" one better.
I do enjoy Henry Weinhard's a lot, even if it does have high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. I hate when people call it HFC like you're stupid for not knowing their lingo.
Anyway.
You should do one of these on ginger beer! YAYUH!
I have never had anything as good as Iggie's fiery ginger beer in steel cans from the UK but I haven't had it for years as it was only available to me one time at a highland games.
Eli's is one of the best I've had since then, as well as bundaberg's from australia. I really like the Reeds extra ginger brew, but it's still not fiery enough for me.
:D I love root beer!
Stewart's did win the 2006 World Cup of Root Beer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart%27s_Founta...
Anyway, it's like the mini-microbrew of the root beer world. I always grab a jug from different places when I'm out. The interesting thing is, the taste can vary from one batch to the other, all being made by the same guy. If I pick up a really good jug, I'll go back and buy the rest of that batch.
Plus, the glass jugs make great piggy-banks to collect your quarters for poker.
If you find yourself in this area, make sure to get some of the local stuff, you won't regret it. But please, don't drive like a tourist!
You mentioned Hires Root beer - but it was not on your list. Maybe you've had no more luck finding it anywhere than I have!?
Finally - if you are ever in the Taylors Falls area of Minnesota - right on the borders of S. Central MN. and Wi. - you MUST go to "The Drive-Inn Restaurant" there on the more northern end of town. There is a putt-putt golf course right behind it. Anyway - some guy in there makes his own home-made rootbeer in the back of the little building. It was THEE best Root-beer I have ever had.
Check it out.
http://www.taylorsfalls.com/drivein.html
.....Virgil's Root Beer......
The right combination of spices, sugar, and carbonation make it a delight to drink. Feels like velvet on your tongue!!!!! ---
Buy it at 'Trader Joe's
Its fire brewed like the old time stuff and is out of this world. sweetend with red honey from wisconson.
We sell it in our store.
Its great!
I recently moved to Philadelphia and found what has to be one of the best Root Beers ever. Now I know there are many of you here that enjoy Virgil's. I to enjoy it, but it's far from the best. The best is known as ABC (Appalachian Brewing Company) www.abcbrew.com
As for Ginger Beers hands down the best ever is Bunderburg Ginger Beer out of Australia. You can get it at World Market. If you see it, you have to try it.
Love the post.
But the fact that there is this one brand of root beer out there that I know Ilove, and haven't had in a decade, but remember... well, it says a lot.
And someone said Safeway carries it, and there's now a Safeway nearby...
Guess where I'm headed tomorrow after church!
I used to drink it room temperature because it was so full-bodied. Pouring it over ice diluted it too much. But it was also good straight out of the fridge.
When Coca-Cola bought them out, they ruined it. Even if they say they use the same syrup recipe, they don't. They put too much fizz in it and it also isn't bottled with good old Biloxi spring water...or sewer water...whichever
I've tried a lot of the ones mentioned here but even if some do have HFCS, sorry, high fructose corn syrup, I do recommend Weinhard's. Another one I like alot is Iron Horse. But it wouldn't be included here, again because of HFCS.