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.  

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 docked 0.5	9.9	2.5	2	3	2.4	7.9
Wild Spur Sarasparilla	10.4	2.75	2.5	2.4	2.75	7.9
Lost Trail Sarasparilla	10.3	2.9	2.5	2	2.9	7.8
Dublin Texas	10.2	2.8	2.4	2.5	2.5	7.8
NORKA	10.25	2.75	2.5	2.5	2.5	7.75
Earp's Sarsparilla	8.75	2.25	1	2.75	2.75	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
Brair's Premium	9	2.5	1.5	2.5	2.5	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 Sasparilla	9.7	2.6	2.5	2.2	2.4	7.2
Point Premium- HFCS docked 0.5	9.7	2.3	2.5	2.4	2.5	7.2
Saranac 1888	10.1	2.1	3	2.5	2.5	7.1
Penny Frosted	7.75	2.25	1	2.25	2.25	6.75
Dead World Twilight Shuffler	8.25	2.25	1.5	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	9.25	2.25	2.5	2	2.5	6.75
Towne Club	8	2.2	1.4	2.1	2.3	6.6
Firemans Brew	8.4	2.2	1.8	2.1	2.3	6.6
Kutztown Sarsaparilla	8.1	2.2	1.5	2.2	2.2	6.6
Homer Soda Maple Syrup	8.6	2.3	2	2	2.3	6.6
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry	8.5	2	2	2	2.5	6.5
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS docked 0.5	9	2.2	2.5	2	2.3	6.5
Saint Arnold	8.25	2.25	1.75	2	2.25	6.5
American Classics Ginseng	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25	6.5
Dog N Suds - HFCS docked 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
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)	7.75	2	1.5	2	2.25	6.25
Baumeister - HFCS docked 0.5	8.25	1.75	2	2.25	2.25	6.25
Crater Lake	7.5	2.5	1.25	1.75	2	6.25
Judge Wapner	8	2.25	2	1.75	2	6
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)	7.5	2	1.5	2	2	6
Route 66   (Edited)	7	2	1	2	2	6
Foxon Park Draft Style	7.5	2.25	1.5	1.75	2	6
Natural Brew	7	2	1.25	2	1.75	5.75
Bedfords	6.75	2	1	1.75	2	5.75
Rocky Mountain	7.7	1.5	2	2	2.2	5.7
Blummers	7.5	1.75	2	1.75	2	5.5
Spring Grove - HFCS docked 0.5	8	2	2.5	2	1.5	5.5
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
Empire Bottling Works	6	1.75	0.75	1.75	1.75	5.25
Dad's Old Fashioned	7	2	2	1	2	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
Harmony Springs Sarsparilla	6.5	1.75	1.5	1.5	1.75	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
Red Arrow	6.5	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.75	5
Death Valley	7	1.75	2	1.5	1.75	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
Filberts Old Time - HFCS docked 0.5	7	1.5	2.4	1.4	1.7	4.6
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
Dead World Slow Decay	6	1.25	1.5	2	1.25	4.5
Dang	5.5	1.5	1	1.5	1.5	4.5
Joe's	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.25	1.5	4.25
The Pop Shop	5.75	1.5	1.5	1.25	1.5	4.25
Rugged Mountian	5.25	1.25	1	1.5	1.5	4.25
Three Stoges Wise Guy	7	1.5	2.75	1.5	1.25	4.25
Gale's	5.75	1	1.5	1.75	1.5	4.25
Red Ribbon Home Brewed	6.25	1.5	2	1.5	1.25	4.25
Root Jack Orange  (HFCS Docked 0.5)	6	1.25	2	1.5	1.25	4
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS docked 0.5	5	1.5	1	1	1.5	4
Oogave	5	1.25	1	1.25	1.5	4
Stubborn Clasic	4.5	1.5	0.5	1.25	1.25	4
Tree Fort	5.75	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.25	4
Freaky Dog	5	1	1	1.5	1.5	4
Sparky's	5	1	1	2	1	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
Myers Avenue Red - HFCS docked 0.5	5.75	1.25	2.25	1.25	1	3.5
Dr. Browns	4.5	1	1	1.5	1	3.5
Golden Maple	3.8	1.3	0.5	1	1	3.3
Bawls	5.5	1.25	2.25	1	1	3.25
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float	4.5	1	1.25	1	1.25	3.25
Reading Draft	4.7	1	1.5	1.2	1	3.2
Tower	3.5	0.5	0.5	1.25	1.25	3
Frostie Vanilla	3	1	0	1	1	3
Boots Sarsparilla	4	1	1	1	1	3
Sky Valley Organic	3.25	1	1	0.5	0.75	2.25
Cool Mountain	2.75	0.75	0.5	1	0.5	2.25
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS docked 0.5	2	1	0	0	1	2
Sassy Lil Lass	1.5	0	1	0.5	0	0.5
Buckin – Jackson Hole	0	0	0	0	0	0
Squamscot	0	0	0	0	0	0
A&W	0	0	0	0	0	0
Abita	0	0	0	0	0	0
AJ Stephans	0	0	0	0	0	0
Americana Vintage	0	0	0	0	0	0
Anchor Ginger	0	0	0	0	0	0
Barrel Brothers Creamy Vanilla	0	0	0	0	0	0
Berghoff	0	0	0	0	0	0
Brownie Carmel Cream	0	0	0	0	0	0
Bundaberg	0	0	0	0	0	0
Capt'n Eli's	0	0	0	0	0	0
Caruso's Legacy Robusto	0	0	0	0	0	0
Chicago	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cicero Beverage Co Chicago Style	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dad Gum It	0	0	0	0	0	0
Faygo Original	0	0	0	0	0	0
Foxon Park Iron Brew	0	0	0	0	0	0
Frostie	0	0	0	0	0	0
Grays	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hank's Genuine	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hosmer Mountain	0	0	0	0	0	0
Iron Horse	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jones	0	0	0	0	0	0
Killebrew	0	0	0	0	0	0
Kutztown Root Beer	0	0	0	0	0	0
Maine Root	0	0	0	0	0	0
Manhattan Special	0	0	0	0	0	0
Margo's Dark	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mill  Stream	0	0	0	0	0	0
North Star Craft	0	0	0	0	0	0
O-SO Butterscotch	0	0	0	0	0	0
Old Red Eye	0	0	0	0	0	0
Olde Brooklyn	0	0	0	0	0	0
Original Bull Dog	0	0	0	0	0	0
River City	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sioux City	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tommy Knockers	0	0	0	0	0	0
Triple XXX	0	0	0	0	0	0
Waialua	0	0	0	0	0	0
WBC	0	0	0	0	0	0