Gene Autry (#15 - Rated 8.5 out of 12)

I have been very busy and have yet to have time to do a review. While listening to a City Council meeting tonight, I decided to work on one. I went for Gene Autry because it was the perfect way to get back in the saddle!

Rocket Fizz is the maker of this and a variety of other sodas. I have Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float and Judge Wopner’s Root Beer in my “to be reviewed” stock. Rocket Fizz is predominately known for its diverse candy line (some say over 4,000 varieties), but unique sodas are also a niche. A web search found they have made over 500 varieties of soda over their history, not all directly under the Rocket Fizz parent company. 

For example, they have Lester’s Fixins soda, which makes Bacon Soda, Buffalo Wings Soda, Sweet Corn Soda, Coffee Soda, and Ranch Dressing Soda. They also have Melba’s Fixings, which include Key Lime Pie Soda, Apple Pie Soda, Sweet Tea Soda, Peaches and Cream Soda, and Strawberries and Cream Soda. They even made a Sugar Ray Leonard Root Beer!

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beers tested.

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Natural Flavor, Real Vanilla and Citric Acid.  (What is Natural Flavor?)

Nutrition (from the 12 oz bottle)

 180 Calories

 25 mg Sodium.

 45 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

 45 g Sugar

 0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor -- 2 out of  3 mugs

Before I opened the bottle, I had high hopes that no HFCS was used!  It is sweetened with cane sugar, and the flavor profile is built using natural flavors and real vanilla. They just had a Caramel Color and appeared to lack caramel flavor. What are natural flavors?  When not, be more open with the details.  

As soon as I opened the bottle, the vanilla and wintergreen surfaced immediately. The aroma was much more significant than the flavor. The wintergreen was harsh, and the citric acid resulted in a slightly unpleasant feel in the mouth. The Body is very light and mild. 

Head – 2 out of 3 mugs

This root beer was not overly foamy, yet it disappeared pretty quickly. It is quite unique, and this might be more of a by-product of the citric acid than many who use benzoates.   

Zip -- 2 out of 3 mugs

The bite from the wintergreen, very deep licorice, and herbs is excellent if you like that type of bite. I prefer a better balance with a little more sweetness and vanilla. It is definitely above average, yet I scored it a little lower for my taste. 

Post Consumption Impression – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

The Aftertaste is wintergreen and a splash of vanilla that lasts a long time.  It is actually a better drink a little faster than sip.  If you sip the beverage, the overall taste and feel are different from drinking it, not guzzling or sipping.  I score this higher as it has that unique taste with a long-lasting impression, which I am mixed about, but again, if you love wintergreen and licorice, this is the drink for you.

Would I recommend this at 8.5 out of 12 mugs?

I write this blog and love root beer, as I truly believe Root beer is the original All American beverage, not beer! Now Gene Autry is singing “Back in the Saddle Again,” and drinking root beer just has a strong American feel! Even better, the ingredient list is simple and pure, so even though it is not to my highest liking, it is worth the try, and I will purchase it again!