Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Pearson Bros. 1896 Root Beer - #97, 6.25 out of 12 mugs

This is a first for me.  There is no background on this brew.  I searched for over an hour and found nothing.  Artificial Intelligence stated:

Pearson Bros. Root Beer is a vintage-style root beer sold in the US, most notably at Cracker Barrel stores, and it is believed to be the exact same beverage as the Bull's Head 1896 Root Beer Number Six sold in Canada. It is marketed with a unique, squat, vintage-style bottle and often receives mixed reviews, with some finding its flavor bitter or medicinal and others enjoying its sweet, creamy, and vanilla notes


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

Ingredients:

Spring Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor, Caramel Colour, Citric Acid, Carbon Dioxide

 




Nutrition 11 oz. Serving (from the bottle)

 

110 Calories

0 mg Sodium.

27 g (10%) of Daily Carbohydrates

 

Aroma and Flavor – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

 

This has a faint aroma of root beer with a touch of cinnamon. Maybe? It might contain a small amount of vinegar, although it is not listed as an ingredient on the label. It is a very dry root beer with a subtle creamy aftertaste. I can’t quite put my finger on the spice. 

 

Head – 1.75 out of 3 mugs  

 

The head was very minimal and dispersed quickly.  The bubbles were tiny yet dense.

 

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

 

This is a very dry or sharp taste with a unique blend of spices that I am unable to discern. I score it higher due to the distinctive flavor that leaves me wanting more.


Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

 

While this is a brew that ranks average at best, I can see how someone who enjoys bitters in their drinks would appreciate it, which is the best way to describe the brew.  


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

 

I would not turn down a Pearson 1896 Root Beer if offered, but it would not be one I would select over a significant number of others. Try the brew, as it is unique.

 

OTHER REVIEWS


Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – No Rating

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 3 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3.5 of 5 barrels

Steve’s Root Beer – 4.5 out of 10