Pop Shoppe (#31 - Rated 5.75 out of 12)

The Pop Shoppe originated in 1969 in Canada, London, Ontario to be more precise.  The goal was not to be overly commercializes and enter the retail market in non-traditional ways.  Eventually, the demand was such, Pop Shoppe was selling 30 different flavors throughout North America. 

By 1980, sales were weakened from off brand competition and closed in 1983.   Since that time some small soft drink bottlers in the U.S. have sold pop using some of the millions of bottles and cases left abandoned by the closure

By 2004, many of the original flavors returned.  In 2012, The Pop Shoppe announced that they were replacing corn syrup with cane sugar in all of their beverages.  This is a plus for me!   The bottle I consumed stated it was bottles in Las Angeles, California.

See more information at http://www.thepopshoppe.com/about/.

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: water, cane sugar, caramel color, Citric Acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), propylene glycol, natural and artificial flavor, and phosphoric acid.

Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

20 mg Sodium.

46g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The aroma was a mix of unidentifiable scents.  At first drink, there is a creamy sensation with a slight fruity taste.  Not as strong as Juicy Fruit gum, but that kid of flavor.  It was not really what I would call a root beer.  It was a cross between a stale barq’s and Dr. Pepper.  While there is a faint overall root beer taste, the aftertaste is more of a bad Coke. 

Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

The head is frothy with very fine bubbles.  It reduced quickly to a small amount around the rim which stayed for a long time.  Based on my follow-up (Web search), I think the propylene glycol may be the difference?

Zip – 1.25 out of 3 mugs  

Zip is very minimal as I can’t determine what the flavor mix is for this beverage?  The odd after taste was a real deterrent.   It almost has a chemical taste with lower carbonation.    

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

This is a soda.  Not sure how to really say what kind as it is as a variety of flavors I found no common root, vanilla or even caramel flavor. 

Would I recommend this at 5.75 out of 12 mugs?

It is worth a try, but I will pass on it unless there are few options available.

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3.5 of 5

Root Beer Reviews  B-
Alliray Review 2.5 out of 5