Sunday, March 26, 2017

Dang! - #78, 5.5 out of 12

This brew is from Imperial Flavors, a family owned and operated business out if Milwaukee, WI since 1964.  The business started with Jack Pettigrew in 1964.  They primarily make juice concentrates to be sold to bars and restaurants and soda.  The information I found stated Pettigrew had an A&W-like root beer formula and made tweaks.  At one point he exclaimed “Dang! That’s good.”  So we have this brew.  The most successful is their butterscotch root beer.  Read a nice article from the Milwaukee Journal.


Ingredients:
Carbonated water, sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, citric acid and sodium benzoate (a preservative)



Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

120 Calories
40 mg Sodium.
32 g (11%) of Daily Carbohydrates
0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

Very rich and sweet aroma with a vanilla hint.  The first sip found a smooth yet very sweet brew with a commercial root beer flavor.  To me, that is high sodium or sugar.  It is a plain low carbonated beverage with a slight syrup sensation.

Head – 1 out of 3 mugs  

The head was below average with little remnant. 

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

The brew is on the lower side of carbonation.  The flavors mix well yet leave me with the sense I am drinking sugar mildly blended with other flavors.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

I found it hard to drink the whole bottle as it is excessively sweet based on my preferences.

Would I recommend this at 5.5 out of 12 mugs?

It is a middle of the road brew I find most will enjoy and few will hate.  Give it a try.

OTHER REVIEWS


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Earp’s Sarsaparilla - #77, 8.75 out of 12

This is a Washington State brew from orca Beverages.  The bottle depicts the representation of the gunfighter with a smoking gun drawn. He looks slight over his left shoulder with a villain like stare.  Sets the tone for a serious brew?  The bottle reads “After a hard day of gun fight’n, noting beats a real sarsaparilla”. 

The company website states:

“The ultimate retro-soda and right out of the “Old West”. If you listen just close enough to the fizz of an open Earp’s Sarsaparilla, you might be able to hear the clanking of spurs, hissing of a rattlesnake and perhaps even the sound of a stagecoach; all from a time lost to legend and folklore.  One thing that has not been lost is the Original Earp’s Sarsaparilla. Full of bite and brass, just like in the days of the Wild West, nothing quenches a dry mouth like the rich velvety taste of this true American Classic. To this day, Earp’s Sarsaparilla had no equal. And, you can get some for your own saddle bag, shipped direct to your front door.”

Ingredients:

Carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, phosphoric acid, caramel color, sodium benzoate (a preservative).



Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories
50 mg Sodium.
42 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates
0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.25 out of 3 mugs

Immediately upon opening, there was a real earthy aroma with a hint of licorice and mint.  At first it was odd then pleasing.  The first sip found a smooth creamy beverage that had a slight mint aftertaste that lingers.  Not unpleasant, but nice taste that almost has a touch of smoke, if that makes sense.

Head –1 out of 3 mugs  

This is a very limited head. 

Zip – 2.75 out of 3 mugs  

This has great zip with a unique blend of spices and a strong earthy taste.  Near perfect yet the sodium is high and notable.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.5 out of 3 mugs  

I liked the brew, yet a little heavy on the sodium.  May be why I felt thirsty after enjoying the brew?

Would I recommend this at 8.75 out of 12 mugs?

The score is deceiving.  The head brings this down.  It is in ranked 7th out of 77 brews based on taste only.  I would suggest you give it a try, unless you do not like the earthy tones in your beverage.

OTHER REVIEWS