Root Beer Review process

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

I will first outline the criteria employed for critique. This will provide insight into the reasoning behind my opinions. My reviews are based on my personal perspective, and many readers may hold differing viewpoints.    

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 a score of 0 to 3.  A “0” should be avoided, even if it is free of charge.  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: Upon opening the bottle, the initial aroma sets the tone. An exceptional root beer possesses an aroma that heightens the anticipation of the first sip. Subsequently, a sensation of taste or smoothness is experienced in the mouth. Flavor is the most prevalent reference point for individuals who consume beverages or culinary delights. I favor a robust and indulgent root beer with a subtle water-like texture. This preference implies a high sugar content.


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 factor may not be significant to me, it is of great importance to many. This is the A/W mentality that my generation grew up experiencing. It was a psychological belief that larger foam meant superior taste. Do some manufacturers actually add additives to create the head?

Additionally, the foam's taste may contribute to this score. In some instances, it can be tasteless.   



Zip: Proper spices and carbonation are essential ingredients for crafting an exceptional root beer. The smooth, spice-like sensation that the beverage imparts upon the taste buds is particularly enjoyable. The carbonation provides a subtle tingling sensation on the tongue, creating a harmonious balance between the flavors.


Post-consumption impression: The root beer must intensify 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	W/O Head
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla	10.6	2.8	2.2	2.7	2.9	8.4
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS is - 0.5	9.9	2.5	2	3	2.4	7.9
Maine Root Sarsparilla	9.9	2.8	2	2.4	2.7	7.9
Wild Spur Sarsaparilla	10.4	2.75	2.5	2.4	2.75	7.9
Dublin Texas	10.2	2.8	2.4	2.5	2.5	7.8
Lost Trail Sarsaparilla	10.3	2.9	2.5	2	2.9	7.8
Earp's Sarsaparilla	8.75	2.25	1	2.75	2.75	7.75
NORKA	10.25	2.75	2.5	2.5	2.5	7.75
Hippo Size	9.2	2.6	1.5	2.7	2.4	7.7
Fitz's Premium	9.35	2.5	1.75	2.5	2.6	7.6
Briar's Premium	9	2.5	1.5	2.5	2.5	7.5
Uncle Scott's  (#90)	9.3	2.7	1.8	2	2.8	7.5
Dachshunds III	10.3	2.5	2.8	2.5	2.5	7.5
Ozark Mountain	9.3	2.4	2	2.5	2.4	7.3
Hosmer Mountain Sarsaparilla	9.7	2.6	2.5	2.2	2.4	7.2
WIld Bill’s (Northwoods Soda)	9.8	2.4	2.6	2.55	2.25	7.2
Saranac 1888	10.1	2.1	3	2.5	2.5	7.1
Black Bear Root Beer by Sprecher	9	2.25	2	2.25	2.5	7
Point Premium- HFCS is -0.5	9.4	2	2.5	2.4	2.5	6.9
Penny Frosted	7.75	2.25	1	2.25	2.25	6.75
Yacht Club	8.25	2.25	1.5	2.5	2	6.75
Jack Black's Dead Red	9	2.5	2.25	2	2.25	6.75
Bulldog   (#86)	9.25	2.25	2.5	2	2.5	6.75
Towne Club	8	2.2	1.4	2.1	2.3	6.6
Kutztown Sarsaparilla	8.1	2.2	1.5	2.2	2.2	6.6
Fireman's Brew	8.4	2.2	1.8	2.1	2.3	6.6
Homer Soda Maple Syrup	8.6	2.3	2	2	2.3	6.6
American Classics Ginseng	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25	6.5
Zuberfizz Creamy Root Beer	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25	6.5
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry	8.5	2	2	2	2.5	6.5
Dog N Suds - HFCS is - 0.5	9	2.2	2.5	1.9	2.4	6.5
Barons	7.9	2.4	1.5	1.75	2.25	6.4
Crater Lake	7.5	2.5	1.25	1.75	2	6.25
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)	7.75	2	1.5	2	2.25	6.25
Saint Arnold	8.0	2.25	1.75	2	2.0	6.25
Baumeister - HFCS is - 0.5	8.25	1.75	2	2.25	2.25	6.25
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS is - 0.5	8.7	2.2	2.5	2	2	6.2
Route 66 (Edited)	7	2	1	2	2	6
Dead World Twilight Shuffler	7.5	2	1.5	2	2	6
Foxon Park Draft Style	7.5	2.25	1.5	1.75	2	6
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)	7.5	2	1.5	2	2	6
Judge Wapner	8	2.25	2	1.75	2	6
Spring Grove - HFCS is - 0.5	8.5	2	2.5	2	2	6
Bedford's	6.75	2	1	1.75	2	5.75
Natural Brew	7	2	1.25	2	1.75	5.75
Blumer's	7.5	1.75	2	1.75	2	5.5
Sno Cap Root Beer (HFCS -0.5)	8	2	2.5	1.75	1.75	5.5
Empire Bottling Works	6	1.75	0.75	1.75	1.75	5.25
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel	6.25	1.5	1	2	1.75	5.25
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla	6.5	1.75	1.25	1.75	1.75	5.25
Red Arrow	6.5	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.75	5
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75	5
Tyler the Kid	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75	5
Dad's Old Fashioned	7	2	2	1	2	5
Death Valley (#87)	7	1.75	2	1.5	1.75	5
Rocky Mountain	7	1.5	2	1.7	1.8	5
Ramblin	7.5	1.8	2.5	1.5	1.7	5
Thomas Kemper Small Batch	7.8	2	2.8	1.5	1.5	5
Mom's	5.25	1.5	0.5	1.5	1.75	4.75
Fest Pecan	6.25	2	1.5	1.5	1.25	4.75
Harmony Springs Sarsaparilla	6.25	1.75	1.5	1.5	1.5	4.75
Pearson Bros 1896	6.25	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.5	4.75
Sprecher Rev’d Up	6.5	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.5	4.75
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer (#89)	7.25	1.5	2.5	1.75	1.5	4.75
Filberts Old Time (HFCS is - 0.5)	7	1.5	2.4	1.4	1.7	4.6
Dang	5.5	1.5	1	1.5	1.5	4.5
Chicago Draft Style (Cold Mountain)	5.75	1.5	1.25	1.5	1.5	4.5
Dead World Slow Decay	6	1.25	1.5	2	1.25	4.5
Masons	6.25	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.75	4.5
Crim City Soda	6.5	1.5	2	1.5	1.5	4.5
Rugged Mountain	5.25	1.25	1	1.5	1.5	4.25
Gale's	5.75	1	1.5	1.75	1.5	4.25
The Pop Shop	5.75	1.5	1.5	1.25	1.5	4.25
Red Ribbon Home Brewed	6.25	1.5	2	1.5	1.25	4.25
Joe's	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.25	1.5	4.25
Three Stooges Wise Guy	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.5	1.25	4.25
Stubborn Classic	4.5	1.5	0.5	1.25	1.25	4
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS is - 0.5	5	1.5	1	1	1.5	4
Freaky Dog	5	1	1	1.5	1.5	4
Oogave	5	1.25	1	1.25	1.5	4
Sparky's  (#88)	5	1	1	2	1	4
Tree Fort	5.75	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.25	4
Root Jack Orange (HFCS is - 0.5)	6	1.25	2	1.5	1.25	4
Mom & Pop Chocolate Root Beer	6.25	1.25	2.25	1.5	1.25	4
Grown Up Soda (GUS)	6.25	1.25	2.5	1.25	1.25	3.75
Big Ben's	4	1.5	0.5	1	1	3.5
Dr. Browns	4.5	1	1	1.5	1	3.5
Myers Avenue Red (HFCS is - 0.5)	5.75	1.25	2.25	1.25	1	3.5
Golden Maple	3.8	1.3	0.5	1	1	3.3
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float	4.5	1	1.25	1	1.25	3.25
Bawls	5.5	1.25	2.25	1	1	3.25
Reading Draft  (#85)	4.7	1	1.5	1.2	1	3.2
Frostie Vanilla	3	1	0	1	1	3
Tower	3.5	0.5	0.5	1.25	1.25	3
Boots Sarsaparilla	4	1	1	1	1	3
Serenity Brothers Root Beer/Vanilla	2.5	1	0	1	0.5	2.5
Cool Mountain	2.75	0.75	0.5	1	0.5	2.25
Sky Valley Organic	3.25	1	1	0.5	0.75	2.25
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS is - 0.5	2	1	0	0	1	2
Sassy Lil Lass	1.5	0	1	0.5	0	0.5