Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Baumeister (#40 - rated 8.5 out of 12)

The story goes that this brew originated in 1907.  The web site quote “It is still made today with that same local tradition and care”.   Only it originated with artesian water and I bet it did not use High Fructose Corn Syrup.  So they may make it similar, but the ingredients changed, I would think.


Ingredients: carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar, caramel color, artificial and natural flavors, citric acid and gum acacia, preserved with sodium benzoate



Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories
45 mg Sodium.
43g (19%) of Daily Carbohydrates
0 mg Caffeine
5% Iron

Aroma and Flavor – 1.75 out of 3 mugs (Docked 0.5 for HFCS use)

The initial opening aroma is ordinary.   It almost has a cinnamon aroma with a slight hint of wintergreen.  The first sip verified my thoughts.  I sensed cinnamon, wintergreen and a little licorice.  There was no noted vanilla flavor, which I enjoy!  It did have a nice overall flavor that was mixed well.  There is a slight aftertaste I cannot place, but it is not pleasing to me.
Head – 2.2 out of 3 mugs  

The head was very nice and frothy, although it dissipated fully within 30 seconds. 

Zip – 2.25 out of 3 mugs  

The brew has a slightly above medium level of carbonation.  I wonder if the high sodium content provides the sensation of more bite than the beverage deserves.    This is a solid balance between carbonation and flavor

Post Consumption Impression – 2.25 out of 3 mugs  

This is interesting.  For that reason it scores slightly higher than I would normally provide for the brew.  It is unique and I think there is enough variety in the flavor mix to leave most with a good impression.  I said good, not great!
 
Would I recommend this at 8.25 out of 12 mugs?

This is a brew that may be perfect for a hot summer BBQ gathering.  The strong mix of flavors makes this perfect with the right food.  Although, it is not a brew I would select for drinking without the meal.
OTHER RATINGS



Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Wild Spur Sarsaparilla (#39 - Rated 10.4 out of 12)

This is a first.  A beverage with no history or background on the web.  The bottle just mentions the distribution company out of Chicago.  In fact, I am not even sure where I bought it?  Could be from my girlfriends daughter as she purchased a sample pack from Christmas.  

In my search I only found nutritional information from “My Fitness Pal”.   It has higher sodium content and it also had 5 percent daily Iron.  That is a first.  With so little background, right to the 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, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate and Natural and Artificial flavors.



Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories
45 mg Sodium.
42g (19%) of Daily Carbohydrates
0 mg Caffeine
5% Iron

Aroma and Flavor – 2.75 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is root beer in its best.   The first sip did not disappoint.  A rich sarsaparilla flavor with noted caramel.  If you prefer little or no caramel, this is not for you.  The only thing that could make it better, for me, is a hint of vanilla.  There are absolutely no wintergreen or molasses flavors, which I do not mind, but this is better without those added flavors.

Head – 2.5 out of 3 mugs  

The head was fast but slow to dissipate.  They are really fine bubbles.  After 30 seconds a small amount of head remains.  .

Zip – 2.4 out of 3 mugs  

The beverage has a solid balance.  The carbonization is lower middle although I think the sodium provide a higher sense of zip.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.75 out of 3 mugs  

While I am sure there are many who will not enjoy this beverage, it is to my liking.  I like intense root beer with caramel and vanilla.  As previously stated, the vanilla is not noted, but still a great beverage!
 
Would I recommend this at 10.4 out of 12 mugs?


I suggest you give it a try.  It is smooth and refreshing.  One of a kind!  Only issue is, where can I purchase this beverage?  Please tell me if you find it!

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Empire (#38 - Rated 6.0 out of 12)

When I see the name "Empire" I think of flooring.  All those ridiculous commercials you can never forget.  The catch line "Call 800-588-2300, Empire Today".  But this is a soda, not flooring.

If this has been around since 1930, it still has not made it to mainstream media?  Nothing on the history of this maker could be found on the Internet.  They have a facebook page but really lacks in any information.  It says they are the exclusive distributor for the beverage, made on Rhode Island.  Beverages Direct reads “The Company has been family owned and run since its founding in 1930 and has endeared itself to several generations of Rhode Island residents”.


Ingredients: Natural Artesian Spring Water, Cane Sugar, Natural and Artificial flavors extracts, Citric Acid and Sodium Benzoate.



Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories
35 mg Sodium.
45g (19%) of Daily Carbohydrates
0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is nice, a little rooty.  This root beer has a very strong and dark flavor.  The Sassafras and licorice dominate with a slight hint of wintergreen.  There are no caramel overtones and some other spices I can’t identify.  The aftertaste is a sticky wintergreen and licorice flavor that lingers for quite some time.

Head – 0.75 out of 3 mugs  

The head was fast and small.  Not much more to say about nothing.

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs  

The beverage has very low carbonation.  This is consistent with the other beverages made from artesian spring water.  The mix of flavors is more odd than pleasing

Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs  

While it is not the worse root beer I have enjoyed (trying to be nice), it is far from the best.  .   
 
Would I recommend this at 6.0 out of 12 mugs?

I would not recommend this root beer to anyone who likes heavy carbonation, vanilla or caramel, as it will be to flat and flavor that are not to you liking.  If you like a woody taste and a slight sense of high quality dirt, this may be for you.


Sunday, June 5, 2016

Penny Frosted - cute marketing (#37 - Rated 8.0 out of 12)

Penny Cola Company originated in 2013 in California.  The website has a short history statement.  It is “Penny Cola was created in 2013 by some of us who were tired of drinking corn.  Enough Said.”  Short and tow the point, I guess.  Unlike others, they have a funky you tube video.



Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate and natural flavors.

Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

150 Calories
45 mg Sodium.
45g (19%) of Daily Carbohydrates
0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.25 out of 3 mugs

Upon reading the label, I saw a relatively high sodium count.  I was expecting a sharp taste that comes from sodium.  The first aroma sensation I had was a little medicinal.  So I had less than high hopes.  Then I took my first sip.  It was nothing like I expected.  It has a nice array of flavors blended to confuse me as to what I was really drinking.  There was a clear sassafras and sodium aftertaste, almost a little much.

Head – 1.0 out of 3 mugs  

The head rated at 1.00 is almost excessive.  It had large foam yet it took less then 10 seconds to totally disappear from sight.

Zip – 2.25 out of 3 mugs  

There is a tantalizing mix of flavors.  Unfortunately it is clear that the sodium content is higher than many I have tasted.  There are hints of wintergreen and vanilla with a strong sassafras aftertaste.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.25 out of 3 mugs  

This was well rounded.  Not the best but I assume it will finish in the top 25 once I finish he 100 root beers in the pile.   
 
Would I recommend this at 8.0 out of 12 mugs?

It is worth a try as there is nothing outstanding yet nothing terrible.