Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Seed Planter — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:19:40 -0000

Thank you, Brett, for the very interesting reviews and for the comments. I appreciate the introductions of some brands I haven't seen before. I've tried about 30 bottled brands of root beer. I must say right off the bat, I'm not at all a fan of Henry Weinhard's or Sprecher's brands. I actually like Dad's in the vintage glass bottle quite a bit, however, I usually buy Virgil's (which I gave away as presents last Christmas, per The Art of Manliness) and Abita, both are completely natural, without preservatives. They have an extraordinary taste because of it, but unfortunately they are not as frothy and/or frizzy as I would prefer.

Hansen's was my favorite, and they made a nice variety of vintage sodas, including sarsaparilla, ginger beer, birch beer, cream soda and vanilla cream. Sadly, I can't find the brand any more, it looks like they stopped using glass bottles and discontinued all but the root beer. I bought all they had at Big Lots. Later I discovered that Big R sales a lot of root beer brands, including Abita, Mason's and Dang!. Also, Meijer sales Virgil's and Henry Weinhard's and Menards carries Sprecher's. If you live around Champaign, IL, there is a little store on University Ave called, World Harvest International & Gourmet Foods, they sale a LOT of vintage sodas and root beers.

So far my shopping list includes: Virgil's Bavarian Nutmeg, Sparky's, Red Ribbon, Gale's, Fritz, Goose Island, Buckin', Dorothy's, Thomas Kemper, Bulldog, Steelhead, Saranac, XXX, Buck'n, Frostop, and Maine Root. A few interesting and unique varieties you might like to try is Frosty's Vanilla Root Beer, Dang! Butterscotch Root Beer and Apple Beer from the Barrel Brothers (the label says it is of the Bavarian tradition).

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Bilg — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:39:55 -0000

Rollie's, from Holyoke, MA.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Michael Cox — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 05:04:04 -0000

Virgils is great, but I'd give a slight edge to goose island.

Virgils taste is kind of a spicy nutmeg. The first few mouthfuls from a frozen mug are heaven on earth, but it tends to be a lot less satisfying at the bottom of the mug.

Goose Island has a bergemont/carmel taste with a pleasant sweet aftertaste and maintains it's flavor to the bottom of the mug. Try comparing the two in a taste test and see what you think.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Bryan — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 03:21:30 -0000

I have loved root beer for MANY years and have tried around 100 different brews, I would give heavy support for both of the top ratings in this article...with one caveat. Virgil's makes a microbrew from Bavaria which is easily the best root beer I've ever had. It is a Bavarian nutmeg root beer (brewed locally in Bavaria if I'm not mistaken) bottled in a large dark glass bottle topped with a ceramic spring bottle stopper, and has the most complex and aromatic flavor profile of any root beer I've ever tasted. The only place I've been able to find it is at Alien Fresh Jerky in Baker, CA (on the way to Vegas if you're coming from the west), and even at $8 a bottle, I buy one every time I'm in town!

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Sjon — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 09:13:10 -0000

Henry Weinhard's was my favorite for many years. It's by far the best root beer you can find at the local grocery store. But then I discovered The Root Beer Store in Lynnwood, WA, which stocks dozens of varieties of root beer. My taste buds were thus opened, and I saw (tasted) the light.

To cut to the chase, my two favorites are Steelhead and Bull Dog. They're quite similar, really. OK, if I had to choose just one (don't make me!), I think I'd give Steelhead the nod...but it would be close. Both contain pure Cane sugar, vanilla and honey. Both are very smooth and well balanced. Steelhead is $0.40 more per bottle than Bull Dog, though, so you can save some coin if you want by going with Bull Dog.

Just to comment on some of the favorites other have mentioned above...

Sprecher is quite good and an honorable mention. Not listed by anyone else, but also worthy of note, are Route Beer 66 and Dr. McGillicuddy's Old-fashioned Root Beer. Can't go wrong with any of those.

I've had one Abita and found it was nothing special. It reminded me of the non-gourmet stuff you find in a grocery store.

Jackson Hole's Buckin' Root Beer was good but not as good as the two best I listed above.

Sparky's has a stronger sassafras flavor that some might like but others not so much. It has honey but no vanilla.

Henry Weinhard's, as I mentioned, was my favorite for years. I sang its praises to friends and family. But Steelhead and Bull Dog are just flat out better. Weinhard's, by comparison, is a touch weak in the sassafras flavor (tastes slightly watered down in that respect), and I think it's made with HFCS (it doesn't say on the bottle). With HFCS, the sweet aftertaste turns a tad sour 30 seconds or so after you swallow. With pure cane sugar, it doesn't, and the sweetness lingers on the tongue. If you like Weinhard's, you'll love Steelhead and Bull Dog.

I haven't tried Virgil's or Saranac yet but will now that I've read so many good comments about them here. And since it's local, I'll have to give Americana a whirl.

Enjoy!

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Aaron Manahan — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 04:25:22 -0000

Bulldog is probably my favorite if I had to pair it with ice cream, but if I'm going to drink this with a meal I'm going Virgil's all the way.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

David — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 21:47:40 -0000

Sprechers Root Beer is by far my favorite. The reason for this is that it is a bit creamier than other Root Beers. I also love that you can taste the wood that it was cooked over.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Dan — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 20:35:51 -0000

Sioux City Root Beer (from White Rock Products Corporation of Whitestone, NY) seems worthy of a test. I like it and the Sioux City Birch Beer.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Eric — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 23:29:42 -0000

I keep wanting to like Sprecher's, since it is so readily available in Wisconsin, but even aside from their sweetener issues, the taste just isn't that great. On the other end of the availability spectrum, I will heartily concur with those who have recommended 1919.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Josh D. — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:09:03 -0000

My favorite is "Goose Island" out of Chicago. Americana is my 2nd. Luckily we have a "pop store" out here and always get to try new stuff.
www.rocketfizz.com

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Derek — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:54:25 -0000

abita root beer it a micro brew out of new Orleans,la it is amazing

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Tyler — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 03:05:54 -0000

The two decent root beers I can consistently find here in Michigan are Vrigil's and Jones. I love both, but Virgil's taste can be a bit too complicated sometimes, so I prefer the Jones over it.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

mario — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:23:11 -0000

Virgil's Root Beer. Hands down, best root beer I ever had. Great customer service too. Had a question and the president of the company responded back directly. Wow. I wish I could by them by the case, but I won't complain...the shop here sells them for $1 a bottle...worth every penny.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Michael — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 20:04:05 -0000

I once got a bottle of Dang! Butterscotch Root Beer from my local Rural King. It has to be hands down the best root beer I've ever tasted.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Jack Coulomb — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:58:35 -0000

High Fructose Corn Syrup it might contain, but I really do love my Henry Weinhard's Root Beer. Virgil's does, however, definitely end up in close second or tie with it, though.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Omar — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:33:18 -0000

This article is special to me, because a quick google search on root beers led me to this listing, and ultimately to AOM!
Anyways, I would say my top fave is Virgil's, and am dying to try the Virgil's Bavarian as well as Bundaberg, in addition to the countless honorable mentions in the comments. Thank you all. And thanks a lot to Mitch for mentioning the warehouse in Gardena, CA. It's an hour away, but I'll be sure to stop by!
For now, Virgil's it is. However, I will have to be hard on the folks who settle for Barq's, A&W, Stewart's...and other high fructose laden crap. C'mon now, that's not manly!

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Smeg — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:53:05 -0000

Surprised to see only one mention of 1919. If you can find it, it's in a class unto itself.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Nate — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 07:03:06 -0000

Americana is the way to go. It tastes similar to the XXX brand brewed right down the street, but Americana has it down to a science.

There is one that was not mentioned that I like the most. Jackson Hole's Buckin' Root Beer is edges out my favorite. There is a a little sweet but a strong root favor that makes it my favorite way to go. If you guys can find it then I suggest you try it out. http://jacksonholesoda.com/

I also agree with Connor, their Sasparilla is amazing!!!!

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Ken — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:24:36 -0000

You guys have to try "Maine Root" root beer... it is by far my favorite, and I've tried every root I can find. All organic/fair trade sweeteners etc. So smooth, so tasty. Virgil's is a very, very distant second place in my opinion. Whole Foods sells it around the Boston area... they claim to be nation wide but I wonder if anyone else has seen this before? Tan/green bottle. Check it out: www.maineroot.com

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Kenton Phipps — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:39:25 -0000

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but you need to try Saranac Root Beer!

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:23:10 -0000

If anyone here has heard of the Frostop brand, you gotta try their root beer. If you like not-so-strong flavored drinks, it's for you. Great vanilla flavor and just the right amount of root that doesn't get over the top with bitterness or spiciness. But the creaminess is what makes it for me. Reminds me of drinking a float with the ice cream half melted in it. If you're craving a root beer float, just get some Frostop and save buying the ice cream. Good carbonation and aftertaste too.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Glen — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 23:01:31 -0000

I have to say that Virgil's is the favorite of my son and I. We do root beer tasting on a regular basis and Virgil's keeps coming up tops. It's interesting how many root beers sites give Virgil's a bad review. I don't get it.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Jack — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 16:16:39 -0000

Buck'n Rootbeer out of Jackson Hole Wyoming.

I had it 8 years ago and I have yet to find anything the comes close. Amazing stuff, I still have the first bottle somewhere around here.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Joel — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:47:01 -0000

Also try the Homemade Root Beer at Ellis Island Casino in Vegas. Sooooo good.

Re: Soda Review: Which is the Best Root Beer? | The Art of Manliness

Joel — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:42:28 -0000

If you have not tried Abita Root Beer you should. I have to hide it from my wife.