Mom & Pop Soda Shoppe Chocolate Root Beer - #96, 6.25 out of 12 mugs

It appears Mom & Pop Soda Shoppe is mainly a soda distributor that bottles some craft sodas with their own label. Assume it is similar to Costco and the Kirkland products—brand name without the name? The only information I could find was on realsodamidwest.com. 

The website reads”

In an age of automation and impersonality, we are proudly going against the grain. We believe in a handcrafted approach, not just in our sodas but also in our relationships. Our customer service is crafted specifically for your business, your customers, and your success. 

I think the distributor is much like RocketFiz, makers of unique soda flavors for a select market.

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Pure Cane, Natural and Artificial Flavors,  Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Caffeine, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 

150 Calories

40 mg Sodium.

41 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

No Caffeine listed on Nutrition, but in ingredients 

 

I think proofreading at this company is an issue?

Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beers tested or to be tested.

Aroma and Flavor – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

This has an aroma of root beer and a hint of vinegar. A mild apple cider vinegar is the best description I could give. It is a unique combination that I assume will receive love-hate reviews. I found it intriguing, yet once would be enough.

Head – 2.25 out of 3 mugs  

 

The head was very full and dissipated slowly. It has tiny bubbles and is very dense.  

 

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

The chocolate or vinegar taste is such that it definitely has a flavor mix with the strong rooty taste. 

Post Consumption Impression – 1.25 out of 3 mugs  

This is not a root beer I would turn down if it were the best available. Still, it's a brew I wouldn't seek out as a beverage of choice.

Would I recommend this at 6.25 out of 12 mugs (4 out of 9 mugs without head)?

This was a gallant effort to create an odd flavor.  I believe this will be a cult like root beer for those who love it.  It wasn't for me, but like some others, I managed to finish the bottle.

 

OTHER REVIEWS

I couldn't find any other reviews for the brew!

Rev'd Up Sprecher - #95. 6.5 out of 12 mugs

Sprecher Brewing Co. is stated to be the oldest Craft Brewery in Milwaukee. Randy Sprecher had the idea.  Randy’s love affair with brewing began in Europe. He was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War, but due to color blindness, he was sent to work for a general in Augsburg, Germany. There, Randy fell in love with German beers. After his time in Augsburg, he returned to California, where he grew up, and began brewing German beers at home. In 1972, Randy decided to take his hobby to the next level and applied to study fermentation science at UC-Davis. Then, he perplexed the State of California by establishing a microbrewery—a concept that the state did not understand. Down but not out, Randy secured a post as Supervisor of Brewing Operations at Pabst’s Milwaukee brewery. He packed up everything he owned into a VW Van and moved to Milwaukee.

Sprecher continues to fire-brew delicious craft sodas and beers in the Milwaukee area.  

Click here for rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beers reviewed.

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Glucose Syrup, Maltodextrin, Raw WI Honey, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate (As a Preservative), Phosphoric Acid, Quillaia/Yucca Extract, Sodium Chloride, Caramel Color, Caffeine.

 

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 

260 Calories

75 mg Sodium.

55 g (24%) of Daily Carbohydrates

93 mg Caffeine

 

Aroma and Flavor – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

 

The aroma is easily identifiable; this is a root beer.  At first sip, a rich whole body that’s sweet with honey flavors. The Maltodextrin is noted for its strong sugar taste and a flavor I couldn't determine, but it may have been masked by the caffeine.

 

Head – 1.75 out of 3 mugs  

 

The head was medium, which is odd as the original speaker has a very full head when poured.   It slowly dissipated.

 

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

 

The carbonation is on the lower side.  The flavor mix compensates for the lower carbonation, resulting in a zip score of 1.5.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

 

I would not seek this out as a beverage of choice, but would consume it if this were the only option.   The sodium content is in the top ten for sodium per ounce.   

Would I recommend this at 6.5 out of 12 mugs (4.75 out of 9 mugs without head)

 

Personally, I prefer this root beer, which I would not eliminate from my purchases, although the high level of caffeine is not an option for me.  

 

OTHER REVIEWS

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer –  4 out of 5 barrels 

Root Beer Safari - Lower end rated due to caffeine