Judge Wapner (#20 - Rated 8.0 out of 12)

Rocket Fizz manufactures this and other sodas.  I have Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float and reviewed Gene Aurty’s Root Beer.  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 that they have made over 500 varieties of soda throughout their history, not all directly under the Rocket Fizz parent company.  They even make 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, Citric Acid, Natural and Artificial flavors, and Sodium Benzoate to preserve freshness.

Nutrition (from the bottle)

Calories 

65 mg Sodium.

40 g sugar (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.25 out of 3 mugs

Upon opening, the beverage emitted a refreshing minty root beer aroma. The initial sip revealed a light and mild flavor profile. Subsequently, a subtle hint of vanilla emerged, accompanied by a pronounced wintergreen undertone. The overall taste is characterized by its smoothness and sweetness. Additionally, there are faint traces of cinnamon, which dissipate quickly. While the flavor combination is satisfactory, the minty element is excessively dominant for my personal preference. Furthermore, the absence of sarsaparilla, caramel, and vanilla, which I find more appealing, is a notable drawback. Despite these shortcomings, I would rate this beverage highly as it offers a solid and smooth drinking experience for individuals who appreciate the minty flavor.

Head – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

The Head of the root beer is of medium height and frothy. The foam is smaller in size compared to what I typically observe for a root beer, but it surprisingly maintains its volume for an extended period.

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs  (Docked 0.5 for excessive sodium)

 The carbonation level is moderate, providing a subtle fizz, but the overpowering mint flavor is difficult to ignore. I am curious if the 65 mg of sodium is the reason I mistakenly referred to it as Zip. This is nearly double the sodium content of any other root beer I have reviewed. 

Post Consumption Impression – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

 This is smooth yet has an odd, sticky, minty aftertaste. I think I recently brushed my teeth. 

Would I recommend this at 8 out of 12 mugs?

In my opinion, I would not recommend the root beer. While it possesses some exceptional qualities for individuals seeking a refreshing mint beverage with a hint of traditional root beer, it does not utilize High Fructose Corn Syrup. Although this is not my personal preference, the beverage’s rating is lower compared to other reviewers who may have a different opinion. Nevertheless, among the minty root beers I have sampled, this one stands out as one of the most enjoyable.

OTHER REVIEWS 

Eric's 2 of 5 barrels
Anthony's 84 out of 100
Rob's 7 out of 10
Steve's 6.5 out of 10
Cosmo's 8 out of 10 IBCs