Hosmer Mountain Sarsaparilla (#5 reviewed - Rated 9.9 of 12)

Hosmer Mountain Sarsaparilla Root Beer is produced in Easter Connecticut.  Homer Mountain Bottling Company was founded in 1912 specializing in water.  In 1958, it was purchased by Arthur J. Potvin, who tested many flavors through trial and error.  Unlike many, this is not a beer company that dabbles in soda, but all soda.  Hosmer Mountain produces over 30 flavors of soda. 

It is important to note that they make more than one root beer. They even make an energy drink called Red Lightning! This is a very diverse brand. Again, this is not a root beer. This is a sarsaparilla root beer.

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

Ingredients: Carbonated non-chlorinated water, sugar, brown sugar, caramel color, natural and artificial flavor, citric acid, potassium benzoate, and extract of sarsaparilla root.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories

7.5 mg Sodium.

43.5 g Sugar

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor - 2.6 of 3 mugs

When you open the bottle, the aroma is not overly strong.  It has a slight caramel popcorn smell.  At first drink, I can taste the brown sugar.  It is a unique way of adding sweetness to the beverage.  While it had a little syrup-like texture that was small compared to others?  Certainly not watery!  It is creamy, VERY creamy.  The unique flavor is enjoyable, although the sweetness is a little higher than I prefer. 

Head - 2.5 out of 3 mugs

This is the largest head I have seen.  Of course, this is only my fifth review, but it is very frothy.  It is not a long-lasting head, which is a preference for me.  This scores the highest to date, as it is exactly the level of head I desire in a solid pour.

Zip - 2.2 out of 3 mugs

Carbonization is low to moderate, which may be when the creamy feely intensifies. I like moderate to high carbonization. One disappointment is how quickly the beverage started to go flat. This is not a beverage you want to savor for an hour, but within 30 minutes, it is hard to beat.

Post Consumption Impression - 2.6 out of 3 mugs

Unlike many beverages, this beverage was very fulfilling and did not leave me longing for a second.  There is a hint of wintergreen and vanilla that is noted more afterward than during consumption.  I am mixed as the post-consumption will cease the desire to over-consume, but then again, it did not leave me longing for another.

Would I recommend this at 9.9 out of 12 mugs (7.4 out of 9 mugs without head)?

While this is not the first soda I would reach for, it is certainly in the top 10. I would not enjoy it regularly, but occasionally, it will fill a specific void in overall quality.

Other reviews:

Eric's - 4 of 5
Rob's - 9 of 10
Soda Jerks - A