Saturday, June 13, 2015

Root Beer Review process

I have purchased 49 different root beers for the first round then found 45 more to end at 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 the understanding of how I formulated my opinion.  Recall, 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.  A great 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 to people enjoying a beverage, or even food.  I prefer a thick and rich, with little water like texture, for my root beer.  I understand that means the sugar count is high.

A Root Beer with a hint of vanilla is a preference.  I often can tell immediately those that are flavored with honey.  I even noted some use maple syrup. 

Head: While this is not a major factor for me, it is important to many.  I think this is the A/W mentality my generation grew up experiencing.  It was a psychological belief that big foam mean big taste.  I often wonder if some actually put additives 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:  I believe the zip from proper spices and carbonation is what makes a great root beer. I love a smooth, spice like zip at it passes through the taste buds.  The carbonation that provides a slight tongue tingle is a great balance.

Post consumption impression: The way the root beer intensifies my desire for another important. My post consumption experience should be a highlight, a lasting impression. 


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

BRANDOverallFlavorHeadZipPostW/O Head
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla10.62.82.22.72.98.4
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS docked 0.59.92.5232.47.9
Wild Spur Sarasparilla10.42.752.52.42.757.9
Lost Trail Sarasparilla10.32.92.522.97.8
Dublin Texas  10.22.82.42.52.57.8
NORKA10.252.752.52.52.57.75
Earp's Sarsparilla8.752.2512.752.757.75
Hippo Size9.22.61.52.72.47.7
Fitz's Premium9.352.51.752.52.67.6
Brair's Premium92.51.52.52.57.5
Dachshunds III10.32.52.82.52.57.5
Uncle Scott's9.32.71.822.87.5
Ozark Mountain9.32.422.52.47.3
Hosmer Mountain Sasparilla9.72.62.52.22.47.2
Point Premium- HFCS docked 0.59.72.32.52.42.57.2
Saranac 188810.12.132.52.57.1
Penny Frosted  7.752.2512.252.256.75
Dead World Twilight Shuffler  8.252.251.52.252.256.75
Yacht Club8.252.251.52.526.75
Jack Black's Dead Red  92.52.2522.256.75
Bulldog  9.252.252.522.56.75
Towne Club  82.21.42.12.36.6
Firemans Brew8.42.21.82.12.36.6
Kutztown Sarsaparilla8.12.21.52.22.26.6
Homer Soda Maple Syrup8.62.3222.36.6
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry8.52222.56.5
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS docked 0.592.22.522.36.5
Saint Arnold 8.252.251.7522.256.5
American Classics Ginseng  82.251.522.256.5
Dog N Suds - HFCS docked 0.592.22.51.92.46.5
Barons7.92.41.51.752.256.4
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)7.7521.522.256.25
Baumeister - HFCS docked 0.58.251.7522.252.256.25
Crater Lake7.52.51.251.7526.25
Judge Wapner  82.2521.7526
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)7.521.5226
Route 66   (Edited)721226
Foxon Park Draft Style7.52.251.51.7526
Spring Grove - HFCS docked 0.58.522.5226
Natural Brew721.2521.755.75
Bedfords6.75211.7525.75
Rocky Mountain  7.71.5222.25.7
Blummers7.51.7521.7525.5
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel6.251.5121.755.25
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla6.51.751.251.751.755.25
Empire Bottling Works  61.750.751.751.755.25
Dad's Old Fashioned  722125
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)6.751.751.751.51.755
Tyler the Kid6.751.751.751.51.755
Harmony Springs Sarsparilla6.51.751.51.51.755
Ramblin  7.51.82.51.51.75
Thomas Kemper Small Batch7.822.81.51.55
Red Arrow6.51.51.51.751.755
Death Valley71.7521.51.755
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer7.251.52.51.751.54.75
Mom's5.251.50.51.51.754.75
Fest Pecan  6.2521.51.51.254.75
Filberts Old Time - HFCS docked 0.571.52.41.41.74.6
Masons6.251.51.751.251.754.5
Crim City Soda  6.51.521.51.54.5
Dead World Slow Decay61.251.521.254.5
Dang5.51.511.51.54.5
Joe's  6.751.52.51.251.54.25
The Pop Shop5.751.51.51.251.54.25
Rugged Mountian  5.251.2511.51.54.25
Three Stoges Wise Guy  71.52.751.51.254.25
Gale's  5.7511.51.751.54.25
Red Ribbon Home Brewed6.251.521.51.254.25
Root Jack Orange  (HFCS Docked 0.5)61.2521.51.254
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS docked 0.551.5111.54
Oogave51.2511.251.54
Stubborn Clasic4.51.50.51.251.254
Tree Fort5.751.51.751.251.254
Freaky Dog5111.51.54
Sparky's511214
Grown Up Soda (GUS)6.251.252.51.251.253.75
Big Ben's  41.50.5113.5
Myers Avenue Red - HFCS docked 0.55.751.252.251.2513.5
Dr. Browns4.5111.513.5
Golden Maple  3.81.30.5113.3
Bawls5.51.252.25113.25
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float4.511.2511.253.25
Reading Draft4.711.51.213.2
Tower3.50.50.51.251.253
Frostie Vanilla  310113
Boots Sarsparilla411113
Sky Valley Organic3.25110.50.752.25
Cool Mountain2.750.750.510.52.25
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS docked 0.5210012
Sassy Lil Lass1.5010.500.5

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