This brew was gifted from Leslie and Taylor Guillory, who found it on
their honeymoon in Bar harbor. The Atlantic
Brewing Company in Bar Harbor Maine brews Old Soaker Root Beer. They initially were
the Acadia Brewing company in 1990 located inside the Lompoc Cafe in downtown
Bar Harbor. The
location only allowed them to brew one barrel at a time. A few years later the
demand forced two doors down from the restaurant and increased the capacity to
seven-barrel batches. In 1998, they outgrew
that facility and moved to where they are today, 27 years after starting the
business. They occupy a 19th century
Maine farmstead, that employs native vegetation and local stonework.
The company, which claims their root beer is a “Bar
Harbor favorite and cult classic,” uses an old-fashioned root beer recipe made
with natural quillaja extract from the bark of the yucca plant. In the past, I
found quillaja to have foam, but also an aftertaste I did not enjoy.
So, it is time for 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, Pure Cane Sugar, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate as a
Preservative
Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the
bottle)
NONE FOUND ON THE BOTTLE OR WEB
Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs
There was very little aroma from the bottle. I was not sure what to expect. The first drink was not one I expected. While this is a root beer, there was a
sensation that I was drinking a mix of Cherry Dr. Pepper and root beer. This is a very sweet and creamy beverage with
noted caramel and vanilla. There was
just an odd taste which I attribute to the quillaja
Head – 2.5 out of 3 mugs
The head is well
above average which dissipated slowly and left slight ring after several minutes.
Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs
There is a slight zip and a slight spiciness to the finish
Post
Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs
Overall, I enjoyed the beverage,
yet would not seek it out like some others.
I am sure it is the quillaja aftertaste.
My mouth was left dry after each drink.
Would I recommend this at 7.25 out of 12
mugs?
OTHER REVIEWS
NO OTHER REVIEWS FOUND