It began as a U.S. Army Cavalry outpost in the 1860s. Then, it became a
freight and stage station until the turn of the last century. From 1900 to 1920, it was a healing water
resort, a base for the CCC and WWW in the 1930s, and a doctor's
office in the 1950s. In 1960, it became a restaurant: Indian Wells Lodge.
The Indian Wells Lodge Restaurant has slowly expanded from its small 1,000-square-foot building to its current 6,500-square-foot location. In 1995,
Indian Wells Brewing Co. was born in one of the restaurant's rooms. By
1997, the company's beverages had gained popularity, requiring expansion into
the 10,000-square-foot building.
All sodas at Indian Wells are produced using pure artisan spring water
from the historic Indian Wells Spring (California Historical marker #457), and the
brewery is proud to say the artisan spring water gives their sodas a
clean--pure taste. An artisan spring contains water that naturally flows and
bubbles to the surface. The company has access to a spring originating in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Geologists believe that melted
waters from Mount Whitney snow packs journey by an underground river and follow
through a fissure to form Indian Wells Spring. For Indian Wells Brewing, the
water is captured below the surface and, because of its altitude, can
flow to their brewing operation via gravity. No man-made power is used to
transport the water.
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:
Indian Wells Artisan
Spring Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Real
Vanilla, and Citric Acid.
Nutrition 12
oz. serving (from the bottle)
180
Calories
25 mg Sodium.
45 g (15%) of Daily
Carbohydrates
0 mg Caffeine
Aroma and Flavor – 1.75 out
of 3 mugs
The aroma is medicinal, with dominant licorice and a hint of wintergreen. At first sip, the licorice intensified. There is a rooty aftertaste I can't place. Even though it read "Real Vanilla" on the ingredients, I found little or no vanilla flavor.
Head – 2.0 out of 3 mugs
The head is frothy yet not overly foamy. It took minutes to dissipate.
Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs
The odd situation is that the flavors are not complex, and the medium carbonation made it difficult for me to determine the rating for this category. It is complex yet simple. I could debate each way, so it is 1.5.
Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3
mugs
This is an odd but pleasing beverage. I compare it to sucking on the old-fashioned root beer candy with a strange, bitter aftertaste. Yes, that means good and bad at the same time.
I recommend this at 7 out of 12 mugs.
This brew is a love-hate brew. The trouble is, I love the sip and hate the aftertaste. Try the brew, but only one bottle, before purchasing a six-pack.
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