POINT Premium (#4 reviewed - Rated 9.4 out of 12)

My girlfriend is visiting her parents, leaving me with an overactive dog and extra time. So, today, I decided to do a second root beer review for the weekend. My son may be unhappy, as he tells me I must limit my root beer intake, but this day was not disappointing. I selected a Wisconsin root beer named Point Premium Root Beer, made in Stevens Point.

Stevens Point Brewery is honored to be the country's fifth largest privately owned brewery. The company was founded in 1857 by George Ruder and Frank Wahle. 1864, the company provided its beer to the troops during the American Civil War. The brewery was subsequently sold to Andrew and Jacob Lutz in 1867. The Lutz family continued operations until it was sold to Gustav Kuenzel in 1897.  Various other sales occurred until the current owners, real estate developers Joe Martino and Jim Wiechmann, in 2002.  They started making soda.  This brew was officially an award winner, having secured a Gold Medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2003.

Steven's Point Brewery has a unique mascot: an older guy with a pointy head that would make the Coneheads jealous. The cap displays the image of the extraterrestrial brew maker.

(Click here for rating criteria information and a summary chart of root beers rated)

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, pure cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin, Wisconsin honey, caramel color, natural and artificial flavor, vanilla, phosphoric acid, and sodium benzoate as preservative.  

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

40 mg Sodium.

45 g Sugar

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor - 2 out of 3 mugs - deducted 0.5 for HFCS

The brew starts with a solid root beer aroma, with a hint of vanilla and spices. The first drink is a creamy (or dreamy) introduction, quickly followed by a splash of Wisconsin Honey. This well-balanced mix of cane sugar provides a mildly sweet and distinct flavor that is well supported by a certain root beer extract flavor.  The amber bottle emptied quickly.  This is the best Root Beer I have had to date, at least for aroma and flavor.

Head - 2.5 out of 3 mugs

Point has a medium frothy head that sticks around for a while.  The overall balance is the best I have seen in a long time.  The score is 2.5 out of 3 for the head, as I recall a few that were better in my younger days.

Zip - 2.4 out of 3 mugs

The "point" of this root beer is its delicious, sweet Body with all the right stuff. The carbonation is medium or slightly higher (which I prefer). It has a nice but not very spicy zip and a pleasant vanilla and honey aftertaste.  

Post Consumption Impression - 2.5 out of 3 mugs

When the standards for good root beer were clearly laid down, they got the point. (Pun intended)  The smooth taste throughout, with the moderate carbonation and a hearty head, is one I can’t forget!  

Although I get that notable aftertaste for high fructose corn syrup, it is imperfect.

Would I recommend this at 9.4 out of 12 mugs (6.9 out of 9 mugs without head)?

DEFINITELY WORTH A TRY!  In summary, the head was exceptional and frothy with staying power. The body is a creamy joy consisting of vanilla, honey, caramel, and a hint of sassafras. The finish is rich and delightful!

OTHER REVIEWS
Eric's Gourmet - 4 of 5
Brad's Brew - 9 of 10
Root Beer Rundown - 88 of 100
Thirsty Dudes - 2 of 5

Sr. Arnold (#3 reviewed - Rated 8.25 out of 12)

My first two reviews were disappointing. I reconsidered consuming all this root beer unless I soon found an enjoyable beverage. I rummaged through the remaining 49 bottles and picked the Christmas spirit-looking Saint Arnold Root Beer.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company, named after the patron saint of brewing, Saint Arnulf of Metz, is located in Houston, Texas, and is Texas' Oldest Craft Brewery. The company opened its doors in 1994 and was founded by Brock Wagner and Kevin Bartol, although Kevin has since left the company.

Brock Wagner has a long history with beer. In fact, it starts before he was born. His great-great-great grandfather came from Alsace in the mid-1800s and opened Wagner's Beer Hall in San Francisco (now the oldest existing bar in the city, renamed The Saloon.) Brock grew up in Cincinnati and Brussels, both big brewing towns, where he was exposed to many of the world's beer styles. Then, in college at Rice University, fate (and a friend) introduced him to home brewing. This love of beer and brewing eventually led him to open a microbrewery.

Before starting the brewery, Brock spent six years in investment banking, working on corporate finance, mergers, and acquisitions projects totaling more than $4 billion. Brock graduated from Rice University in 1987 with a BA in Economics.

The founders lived in Houston, Texas, and opening a brewery there made sense because it was the largest city in the country without a microbrewery at the time. Brock was a longtime homebrewer and had considered opening a brewery as far back as college, although that was quickly dismissed as a silly idea. Seven years after graduating, however, Brock revisited the idea and enlisted Kevin's help, and the brewery was off and running.

The company was initially located on the far northwest side of Houston. It operated out of that location for more than fifteen years. In 2008, St. Arnold announced that it planned to move from its current northwest Houston facility to a new facility in the Northside district, north of Downtown Houston. By 2009, the company had purchased a three-story, 104,000-square-foot brick building constructed in 1914, which most recently served as a food service facility for the Houston Independent School District. The prominent location of the new brewery on the highway was critical to its selection. The redevelopment effort was expected to take a year to complete and cost almost $6 million. Due to unforeseen events, such as the theft of copper pipes from the building, the move was delayed and was not completed until 2010.

Since it was from Texas, where, at one time, parents giving children beer was legal, so why did they make a root beer?  The brewer believed this was not a supported practice, so they created a root beer alternative. According to their website, they state:

"Making root beer is much more of an immediate gratification process compared to beer. You heat up some water to dissolve the sugar, then you cool it down and add the root extracts. Most of the extracts are from real plants, but some, such as sassafrass, have pesky carcinogens in them and thus we opted to replace those with artificial flavors. We developed a good root beer base but wanted a great root beer,, so we started playing around with small amounts of other natural flavors. We finally found one that worked great and went with that. We actually make no money on our root beer. We make it for fun and put no effort into selling it. Sales continue to climb on it even without our trying though. Oh well."

Click here for the rating criteria and summary table of brews reviewed. 

Ingredients: Water, cane sugar, caramel color, natural and artificial flavor, vanilla extract, citric acid, and sodium benzoate as a preservative.  

Aroma and Flavor - 2.25 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is pure root beer with a hint of vanilla pleasantry, finished with slight hints of wintergreen and licorice. The first sip was pleasing, yet the finish has a slightly watered-down feel instead of a full-body brew.  

This root beer reminded me of my Taco Bell experiences.  I often crave Taco Bell! I get the first bite, and I am in heaven.  By the second bite, it was still good.  Then, for the third bite, I think about what I am eating. I lose interest and realize it is the same low-quality crap I do not enjoy.  Saint Arnold’s at first has an outstanding root beer, then the enjoyment starts down an icy slope!

Don't get me wrong, this is a delicious root beer.  It has a rich, dark, root-like body that is very creamy. The bite boldly hits me as soon as the brew enters my mouth and lingers.  It needs more staying power. That score is the average of 2.8 at the start and 1.6 at the finish. 

Head - 1.75 out of 3 mugs

Medium head that is foamy and long-lasting. This would be a top-of-the-line root beer for a float.  The Ice Cream would keep the flavor inviting the entire time!   

Zip - 2 out of 3 mugs

The medium-level carbonation was enjoyable, although the flavor punch gives the sensation of a much higher level of carbonation. I am intrigued by the flavor mix, which created a nice zip throughout without overpowering the beverage at the start. 

Post Consumption Impression - 2.25 out of 3 mugs

This is barely transparent and very dark brown. As stated in the flavor/aroma section, the pleasantry changed throughout the consumption.  The post-consumption impression is mixed due to the unique flavor combination.  While I found it boring at the end, I still long for the seasoning used to create this beverage.  The aftertaste is very creamy and lingers, which is to be desired in a great beverage.  

I would repurchase it but share it with a friend, so I only get the great half of this drink.

Would I recommend this at 8.25 out of 12 mugs (6.5 out of 9 mugs without head)?

Yes, I would! It is very traditional and has a very balanced flavor. The solid mix of flavors allows anyone to savor the brew. The brew is smooth without any unpleasant aftertaste. The vanilla extract is the dominant aftertaste, and I love vanilla. I could consider this a “full-flavored” root beer. If you like a strong brew you enjoy over a more extended period, you’ll like this one.

The overall score is 8.25 out of 12 mugs, which is more my preference for a bolder carbonation and vanilla hint. In addition, for the first 5 minutes, it was much closer to an 11, but it wanes toward the end.

OTHER REVIEWS:
The Soda Jerks - A
Cosmo's - Rated 6 of 10
Anthony' Root Beer Barrel - Rated 87
Saw- Whet - 7 of 10

Golden Maple (#2 reviewed - Rated 3.8 out of 12)

After being disappointed with Always Ask for Avery’s root beer (2 out of 12 mugs), I went for something a little closer to Minnesota. I selected Golden Maple Root Beer from the Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Lakefront Brewery is Milwaukee’s first brewery to grow from a microbrewery to Regional Craft Brewery status, meaning 50% of its volume is malt beers or beers that use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor. The brewery is based in the Beerline B Neighborhood and was founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch. They routinely name beers after neighborhoods.

The brewery was the first in the U.S. to bottle fruit beer since prohibition was repealed, starting in 1992 with the seasonal Lakefront Cherry Lager. The brewery prefers only Wisconsin-grown ingredients.   Then came Root Beer!

For starters, the ingredients include Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Pure Wisconsin Maple Syrup, Caramel Color, Natural Root Beer flavor, and Gum Acacia, with preservatives including sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate.

At first glance, I thought they mistakenly filled a bottle with one of their beers.  The color was just like a light beer, not the dark, bold root beer I come to enjoy!  They made a root beer look like a premium pilsner and sweetened it with Wisconsin Maple Syrup.  Must there be a desire to use local ingredients?  After my trip to Vermont last year, I realized it would be better to use Vermont Maple Syrup.  Why sweeten a root beer with maple syrup?  I was hard-pressed to identify the root beer extract amongst the very distinct flavor of maple syrup. This brew is also sweetened with cane sugar, so it has that double shot of sweetness.

Click here for rating criteria information and a summary chart of root beers rated.

Aroma and Flavor - 1.3 out of 3 mugs

It is smooth, foamy, and very very sweet. The light carbonation and the lack of traditional root beer flavor immediately appear.  It does have more of the maple syrup aroma.  The very light carbonation is not a favorite of mine, either.  However, the pure cane sugar and Maple Syrup flavoring make for an unusually pleasing drink if you enjoy low carbonation.  I don't know if I would drink this again, but many may like the unique blend of sweetness.  The maple flavor taste lingers way too long for my taste! 

Head - 0.5 out of 3 mugs

There was a medium head with low carbonation (I like the higher carbonation).  The head was not last at all. 

Zip - 1 out of 3 mugs

There is no carbonated zip from this beverage.  It packs a powerful sweetness with all maple syrup and no vanilla (my preferred blend) flavor.  This is not my preferred taste but has a memorable zip if flavor water,  

Post Consumption Impression - 1 out of 3 mugs

The post-consumption feeling was one of excessive sweetness. I bet it would be the same if you drank several ounces of maple syrup. As far as sweetness, it took me back to the days of excessive sugar Kool-Aid. The high level of sweetness sticks with you long after it is finished. 

Would I recommend this at 3.8 out of 12 mugs (3.3 out of 9 mugs without head)?

Sure, with hesitation.  If you like a light carbonation and LOVE maple syrup, this will be a hit!  If you prefer the dark, higher carbonated, hint of vanilla and medium sweetness like me, you may try another option.  NOTE: I MAY NEED TO GET ANOTHER BOTTLE - THE TESTED BOTTLE MAY HAVE BEEN OLD OR HAD AN ISSUE BASED ON OTHER REVIEWS.

For my older readers, Lenny and Squiggy must be proud! (If you know what I mean, leave a comment.)

Other Reviews

• Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer –  3.5 of 5 barrels
• Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 95 out of 100
• Five Star Soda - 3 out of 5 stars
• Thirsty Dudes - 3 out of 5

Always Ask for Avery's - 1st Review (Rated 2 of 12)

       I first noticed that the ingredients are not listed anywhere on the outside of the bottle.  They write “Avery’s has been making old flavored gourmet soda for over 100 years using real cane sugar and the finest quality ingredients.”  I scoured the web to find the ingredients: Carbonated Water, pure cane sugar, natural flavors, Citric Acid, caramel color, and Sodium Benzoate.

Click here for rating criteria information and a summary chart of root beers rated.

Aroma and Flavor - 1 out of 3 mugs

The aroma/flavor I expect from a root beer is nonexistent.  It reminds me of the aroma I get when entering a 100-year-old gas station restroom (recently cleaned) in the middle of Nebraska.  It's not repulsive, but you have difficulty determining the source.  I wanted to avoid venturing on and try this beverage.  

Head - 0 out of 3 mugs

There was little or no head, and the carbonation was low. It was rather flat, with a head that disappears if you blink. 

Zip - 0 out of 3 mugs

There is no zip from this beverage at all. Slight sweetness, no vanilla noted, and a slight caramel flavor were noted.  Since this is better than muddy water, a 0 out of 3 score for zip.  

Post Consumption Impression - 1 out of 3 mugs

The best way to describe the soda is when I leave Barq's or A&W open overnight and drink it in the morning; it is close to what I experienced with the newly opened bottle of Always Ask for Avery's.  It does not leave a foul taste in my mouth, so I scored 1 for the post-consumption impression.

  

Would I recommend this at 2 out of 12 mugs (2 out of 9 mugs without head)?

No, unless you like stale, day-old Barq's or A&W. The most disappointing part was the blatantly misleading label. They once made this with real cane sugar, but the second ingredient is misspelled corn syrup. I also wonder if this is a case of root beer going bad, as others have rated it this high.

OTHER REVIEWS

Cosmo's - 5 of 10
Root Beer Respect - 6 of 10
Anthony's - 90 of 100

Root Beer Review process

For the first round, I purchased 49 different root beers and then found 45 more, for a total of 94 bottles of root beer in the closet! Before I end, I hope to have over 100 reviews.  

But first, I will describe the critique criteria used. This will provide an understanding of how I formulated my opinion. Recall that my reviews are my opinion, and I am sure many will not agree.   

I will rate each root beer using four variables: 

1. Aroma and Flavor
2. Head
3. Zip
4. Post Consumption Impression.  

Each variable will be awarded with a score of 0 to 3.  A “0” should be avoided, even if it is free.  A “3” is top of the line.  I will total the ratings and have a final number for the review. Therefore, 12 is a root beer made in heaven, based on my preferred taste and texture.



Aroma and Flavor: First, the aroma when you open the bottle is the first impression. An excellent root beer has an aroma that enhances the anticipation of the first drink.  This is followed by taste or smoothness in my mouth.  The flavor is the most common reference for people enjoying a beverage or food.  I prefer a thick and rich, with a little water-like texture, for my root beer.  I understand that means the sugar count is high.



I prefer root Beer with a hint of vanilla. I can often tell immediately which are flavored with honey. I even noted that some use maple syrup.  



Head: While this is not a significant factor for me, it is essential to many. This is the A/W mentality my generation grew up experiencing.  It was a psychological belief that big foam meant big taste. Do some actually put additives in place to create the head?
  In addition, the taste of all that delightful foam may add to this score.  In some cases, it’s tasteless.  



Zip: Proper spices and carbonation make a great root beer. I love a smooth, spice-like zip as it passes through the taste buds. The carbonation, which provides a slight tongue tingle, is an outstanding balance. 



Post-consumption impression: It is important that the root beer intensifies my desire for something else. My post-consumption experience should be a highlight, a lasting impression. 


The following list will be updated with scores as the reviews are completed.  

SORTED BY SCORE WITHOUT HEAD to emphasize my flavor-rated brews.

BRAND	Overall	Flavor	Head	Zip	Post
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla	10.6	2.8	2.2	2.7	2.9
Wild Spur Sarsaparilla	10.4	2.75	2.5	2.4	2.75
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS is - 0.5	9.9	2.5	2	3	2.4
Lost Trail Sarsaparilla	10.3	2.9	2.5	2	2.9
Dublin Texas	10.2	2.8	2.4	2.5	2.5
NORKA	10.25	2.75	2.5	2.5	2.5
Earp's Sarsaparilla	8.75	2.25	1	2.75	2.75
Hippo Size	9.2	2.6	1.5	2.7	2.4
Fitz's Premium	9.35	2.5	1.75	2.5	2.6
Dachshunds III	10.3	2.5	2.8	2.5	2.5
Uncle Scott's  (#90)	9.3	2.7	1.8	2	2.8
Briar's Premium	9	2.5	1.5	2.5	2.5
Ozark Mountain	9.3	2.4	2	2.5	2.4
Hosmer Mountain Sarsaparilla	9.7	2.6	2.5	2.2	2.4
Saranac 1888	10.1	2.1	3	2.5	2.5
Point Premium- HFCS is -0.5	9.4	2	2.5	2.4	2.5
Bulldog   (#86)	9.25	2.25	2.5	2	2.5
Jack Black's Dead Red	9	2.5	2.25	2	2.25
Yacht Club	8.25	2.25	1.5	2.5	2
Penny Frosted	7.75	2.25	1	2.25	2.25
Fireman's Brew	8.4	2.2	1.8	2.1	2.3
Kutztown Sarsaparilla	8.1	2.2	1.5	2.2	2.2
Towne Club	8	2.2	1.4	2.1	2.3
Homer Soda Maple Syrup	8.6	2.3	2	2	2.3
Dog N Suds - HFCS is - 0.5	9	2.2	2.5	1.9	2.4
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry	8.5	2	2	2	2.5
Saint Arnold	8.25	2.25	1.75	2	2.25
American Classics Ginseng	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25
Barons	7.9	2.4	1.5	1.75	2.25
Baumeister - HFCS is - 0.5	8.25	1.75	2	2.25	2.25
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)	7.75	2	1.5	2	2.25
Crater Lake	7.5	2.5	1.25	1.75	2
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS is - 0.5	8.7	2.2	2.5	2	2
Spring Grove - HFCS is - 0.5	8.5	2	2.5	2	2
Dead World Twilight Shuffler	7.5	2	1.5	2	2
Judge Wapner	8	2.25	2	1.75	2
Foxon Park Draft Style	7.5	2.25	1.5	1.75	2
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)	7.5	2	1.5	2	2
Route 66 (Edited)	7	2	1	2	2
Natural Brew	7	2	1.25	2	1.75
Bedford's	6.75	2	1	1.75	2
Blumer's	7.5	1.75	2	1.75	2
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla	6.5	1.75	1.25	1.75	1.75
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel	6.25	1.5	1	2	1.75
Empire Bottling Works	6	1.75	0.75	1.75	1.75
Thomas Kemper Small Batch	7.8	2	2.8	1.5	1.5
Rocky Mountain	7	1.5	2	1.7	1.8
Ramblin	7.5	1.8	2.5	1.5	1.7
Dad's Old Fashioned	7	2	2	1	2
Death Valley (#87)	7	1.75	2	1.5	1.75
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75
Tyler the Kid	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75
Red Arrow	6.5	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.75
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer (#89)	7.25	1.5	2.5	1.75	1.5
Harmony Springs Sarsaparilla	6.25	1.75	1.5	1.5	1.5
Fest Pecan	6.25	2	1.5	1.5	1.25
Mom's	5.25	1.5	0.5	1.5	1.75
Filberts Old Time (HFCS is - 0.5)	7	1.5	2.4	1.4	1.7
Crim City Soda	6.5	1.5	2	1.5	1.5
Masons	6.25	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.75
Dead World Slow Decay	6	1.25	1.5	2	1.25
Dang	5.5	1.5	1	1.5	1.5
Three Stooges Wise Guy	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.5	1.25
Joe's	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.25	1.5
Red Ribbon Home Brewed	6.25	1.5	2	1.5	1.25
Gale's	5.75	1	1.5	1.75	1.5
The Pop Shop	5.75	1.5	1.5	1.25	1.5
Rugged Mountain	5.25	1.25	1	1.5	1.5
Root Jack Orange (HFCS is - 0.5)	6	1.25	2	1.5	1.25
Tree Fort	5.75	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.25
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS is - 0.5	5	1.5	1	1	1.5
Freaky Dog	5	1	1	1.5	1.5
Oogave	5	1.25	1	1.25	1.5
Sparky's  (#88)	5	1	1	2	1
Stubborn Classic	4.5	1.5	0.5	1.25	1.25
Grown Up Soda (GUS)	6.25	1.25	2.5	1.25	1.25
Myers Avenue Red (HFCS is - 0.5)	5.75	1.25	2.25	1.25	1
Dr. Browns	4.5	1	1	1.5	1
Big Ben's	4	1.5	0.5	1	1
Golden Maple	3.8	1.3	0.5	1	1
Bawls	5.5	1.25	2.25	1	1
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float	4.5	1	1.25	1	1.25
Reading Draft  (#85)	4.7	1	1.5	1.2	1
Boots Sarsaparilla	4	1	1	1	1
Tower	3.5	0.5	0.5	1.25	1.25
Frostie Vanilla	3	1	0	1	1
Sky Valley Organic	3.25	1	1	0.5	0.75
Cool Mountain	2.75	0.75	0.5	1	0.5
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS is - 0.5	2	1	0	0	1
Sassy Lil Lass	1.5	0	1	0.5	0