Ramblin Root Beer (#23 - Rated 7.5 out of 12)

According to my research, this is a major commercial root beer created in 1979 by Coca-Cola.  I though, why introduce a root beer when there was Hire's, A&W, Mug, Dad's, Barq's, Shasta, Faygo, Nesbitt's and various store brand knock-offs available.  I assume it was market share grab Coca-Cola already had Dad’s.  It was a memorable advertisement from my younger days with a young Sarah Jessica Parker.  I am not sure I ever consumed it, but must have, as I always loved Root Beer.

It was limited production after Coca-Cola purchased Barq’s Root Beer in 1995 with some saying it was out of production for over a decade and was recently reintroduced into the market (this year – 2015).    

One thing I noted is it has Quillaia Extract in the ingredients.  What is Quillaia Extract?  After significant reading, it is a foaming agent!  An artificial ingredient to make foam in a drink.  I thought that was reserved for detergents?

Now for the official root beer review.  (Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beer tested or to be tested.)

Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, caramel color, Potassium benzoate, natural and artificial flavors, gum Acacia, Quillaia Extract, and Phosphoric Acid

Nutrition (from the bottle)

160 Calories 

0 mg Sodium

39g Sugar (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.8 out of 3 mugs

Upon the twist of the cap, it was just a root beer aroma.  At the first taste, I knew I was drinking root beer, although it had a slight medicine taste.   There was no vanilla.  It seems to have a slight sarsaparilla taste, yet it was very artificial taste. 

Head – 2.5 out of 3 mugs  

This was so foamy, it was past ridiculous.  You need to be cautious when pouring!  It was the most significant I have ever seen, but it was foam, not bubble style foam, but thick foam, like the thickest Afro one could imagine.  I guess I should not be surprised as it has Quillaia Extract, which is intended to create foam!  It received a lower score as the foam impacted the enjoyment.  If I did like the advertisement and guzzled this, it may not matter!

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

The beverage is uneventful.  Then I found nothing that gave me a solid sensation of enjoyment yet nothing to stop me from wanting another sip.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.7 out of 3 mugs  

This was an odd review to complete as I could see loving this like no other or hating it like no other.  It really depends on how I drink the beverage.

Would I recommend this at 7.5 out of 12 mugs?

I am not sure what the huge push to bring the beverage back was, unless it was to guzzle and move on to the next task at hand.   I would love this is I was really thirsty and wanted a quick sugar drink.  I think in the middle of an ultra-marathon it would do the trick.  Otherwise, I would look for another option, yet would not turn this beverage down.

Brad’s Brew Review scored 8/10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer Review 3.5 of 5 barrels