Friday, August 18, 2017

Death Valley - #87 - 7 out of 12

Death Valley Root Beer is brewed by Indian Wells Brewing Company, based in Inyokern, California, and is owned by Master Brewer Rick Lovett. The company and location have been in the same family for three generations, and this historic location of Indian Wells Spring has a rich history.

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.


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 simple, 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.  

Would 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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