Thursday, April 18, 2024

Time to get back

Following several arduous years in a highly detrimental work environment, I have decided to retire. The transition from this challenging situation has been arduous, and it has taken nearly two months for me to regain a sense of well-being.


As a retiree, I now have the opportunity to engage in activities that bring me joy, such as reviewing my preferred beverage, root beer. I will continue to utilize the same criteria and synopsis data as outlined in the provided link (and below).


My criteria are as follows:

  1. Aroma and Flavor
  2. Head
  3. Zip
  4. Post Consumption Impression.  

Each variable will be assigned a score ranging from 0 to 3 mugs. A score of 0 should be avoided, even if it is complimentary. A score of 3 represents the highest quality. I will aggregate the ratings to determine a final score for the review. Consequently, 12 mugs of root beer meet my preferred taste and texture preferences.



Aroma and Flavor: Aroma and Flavor: The initial impression of a root beer is primarily derived from its aroma. An exceptional root beer possesses an aroma that heightens the anticipation of the first sip. This is followed by the sensation of taste and smoothness in the mouth. The flavor is the most commonly referenced aspect of a beverage or food. Personally, I prefer a thick and rich root beer with a subtle water-like texture. This preference implies a high sugar content.


I have a particular fondness for root beer with a hint of vanilla. I can often discern which root beers are flavored with honey, and I have even observed the use of maple syrup in some recipes. 


Head: While this factor may not be significant to me, it is of great importance to many individuals. This is the A/W mentality that my generation grew up experiencing. It was a psychological belief that larger foam heads equated to superior taste. Do manufacturers actually incorporate additives into the foam to enhance its flavor?


Furthermore, the foam's taste may contribute to this assessment. In certain instances, the foam may be flavorless.


Zip: The combination of proper spices and carbonation creates an exceptional root beer. I particularly appreciate the smooth, spice-like sensation it imparts as it traverses the taste buds. The subtle tingling sensation provided by the carbonation serves as an outstanding balance.

 
Post-consumption impression: It is important that the root beer intensifies my desire for something else. My post-consumption experience should be a highlight, a lasting impression. 


The following list will be updated with scores as the reviews are completed.  
SORTED WITHOUT HEAD to emphasize my taste-tested preferred brews.

BRANDOverallFlavorHeadZipPostW/O Head
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla10.62.82.22.72.98.4
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS docked 0.59.92.5232.47.9
Wild Spur Sarasparilla10.42.752.52.42.757.9
Lost Trail Sarasparilla10.32.92.522.97.8
Dublin Texas  10.22.82.42.52.57.8
NORKA10.252.752.52.52.57.75
Earp's Sarsparilla8.752.2512.752.757.75
Hippo Size9.22.61.52.72.47.7
Fitz's Premium9.352.51.752.52.67.6
Briar's Premium92.51.52.52.57.5
Dachshunds III10.32.52.82.52.57.5
Uncle Scott's9.32.71.822.87.5
Ozark Mountain9.32.422.52.47.3
Hosmer Mountain Sasparilla9.72.62.52.22.47.2
Point Premium- HFCS docked 0.59.72.32.52.42.57.2
Saranac 188810.12.132.52.57.1
Penny Frosted  7.752.2512.252.256.75
Dead World Twilight Shuffler  8.252.251.52.252.256.75
Yacht Club8.252.251.52.526.75
Jack Black's Dead Red  92.52.2522.256.75
Bulldog  9.252.252.522.56.75
Towne Club  82.21.42.12.36.6
Firemans Brew8.42.21.82.12.36.6
Kutztown Sarsaparilla8.12.21.52.22.26.6
Homer Soda Maple Syrup8.62.3222.36.6
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry8.52222.56.5
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS docked 0.592.22.522.36.5
Saint Arnold 8.252.251.7522.256.5
American Classics Ginseng  82.251.522.256.5
Dog N Suds - HFCS docked 0.592.22.51.92.46.5
Barons7.92.41.51.752.256.4
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)7.7521.522.256.25
Baumeister - HFCS docked 0.58.251.7522.252.256.25
Crater Lake7.52.51.251.7526.25
Judge Wapner  82.2521.7526
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)7.521.5226
Route 66   (Edited)721226
Foxon Park Draft Style7.52.251.51.7526
Spring Grove - HFCS docked 0.58.522.5226
Natural Brew721.2521.755.75
Bedfords6.75211.7525.75
Rocky Mountain  7.71.5222.25.7
Blummers7.51.7521.7525.5
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel6.251.5121.755.25
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla6.51.751.251.751.755.25
Empire Bottling Works  61.750.751.751.755.25
Dad's Old Fashioned  722125
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)6.751.751.751.51.755
Tyler the Kid6.751.751.751.51.755
Harmony Springs Sarsparilla6.51.751.51.51.755
Ramblin  7.51.82.51.51.75
Thomas Kemper Small Batch7.822.81.51.55
Red Arrow6.51.51.51.751.755
Death Valley71.7521.51.755
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer7.251.52.51.751.54.75
Mom's5.251.50.51.51.754.75
Fest Pecan  6.2521.51.51.254.75
Filberts Old Time - HFCS docked 0.571.52.41.41.74.6
Masons6.251.51.751.251.754.5
Crim City Soda  6.51.521.51.54.5
Dead World Slow Decay61.251.521.254.5
Dang5.51.511.51.54.5
Joe's  6.751.52.51.251.54.25
The Pop Shop5.751.51.51.251.54.25
Rugged Mountian  5.251.2511.51.54.25
Three Stooges Wise Guy  71.52.751.51.254.25
Gale's  5.7511.51.751.54.25
Red Ribbon Home Brewed6.251.521.51.254.25
Root Jack Orange  (HFCS Docked 0.5)61.2521.51.254
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS docked 0.551.5111.54
Oogave51.2511.251.54
Stubborn Classic4.51.50.51.251.254
Tree Fort5.751.51.751.251.254
Freaky Dog5111.51.54
Sparky's511214
Grown Up Soda (GUS)6.251.252.51.251.253.75
Big Ben's  41.50.5113.5
Myers Avenue Red - HFCS docked 0.55.751.252.251.2513.5
Dr. Browns4.5111.513.5
Golden Maple  3.81.30.5113.3
Bawls5.51.252.25113.25
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float4.511.2511.253.25
Reading Draft4.711.51.213.2
Tower3.50.50.51.251.253
Frostie Vanilla  310113
Boots Sarsparilla411113
Sky Valley Organic3.25110.50.752.25
Cool Mountain2.750.750.510.52.25
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS docked 0.5210012
Sassy Lil Lass1.5010.500.5