Fitz's #66 - 8.75 out of 12

In 1993, Fitz’s opened in the Delmar Loop of University City, a suburb of St. Louis.  To assure authenticity, the call went out for a vintage bottling line.  A 1940s bottling line was found in an old barn in Shawano, Wisconsin.  It was refurbished and installed at the restaurant, visible from every table on the main floor.  Fully operational, the bottling line can turn out a bottle of root beer or other popular flavors, such as cream and orange, every second.


The building that houses Fitz’s was built in 1928.  It became the Delmar Bank in 1933 and was remodeled in 1944 when the attractive art deco façade was added. For a while, during the 1980s, it was a Chinese restaurant known as The Lantern House.  Today, Fitz’s sits in the heart of the Delmar Loop, a ten-block section of distinctive stores, shops, and even a renovated movie theater dating back to the 1930s.

Fitz’s Root Beer first appeared in St. Louis at a local drive-in restaurant back in 1947. Famous for its tasty draft root beer and hamburgers, Fitz’s quickly became a local tradition. After disappearing for several years, Fitz’s Root Beer was revived in 1993 when Fitz’s Bottling Company, America’s original soda microbrewery, opened in the historic and vibrant Delmar Loop.

Fitz’s is family-friendly, so families and large parties are always welcome! In addition to plenty of draft sodas and fantastic floats, we also offer a wide selection of local craft beers and signature adult beverages. In warm weather, outside seating is available on our large patio next to the newly constructed Chuck Berry Plaza!

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beer tested.

Ingredients: Filtered carbonated water, cane sugar, natural flavors, caramel color, vanilla, sodium benzoate (a preservative), and citric acid

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

45 mg Sodium.

40 g (13%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

Once I opened this brew, my anticipation grew immensely. The brew is packed with vanilla and pleasing. The overall flavor is smooth. While I enjoyed the beverage, the sweetness was high, yet there was no syrup sensation, as this is cane sugar. The vanilla could be more balanced. The more I sipped, the better it tasted.

Head –2.0 out of 3 mugs

While the head was small, it was very long-lasting. 

Zip – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

This is a solid blend of carbonation and flavors. As stated, it is strong vanilla, yet there is a subtle hint of winter green.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

I initially scored this at a 2.5, yet overall, it was sweeter than I preferred.  The vanilla, which I liked, was more than I preferred.  

 

Would I recommend this at 8.75 out of 12 mugs?

It depends on whether you like vanilla. If you do, it will be one I trust you will enjoy. As the carbonation is solid and the sweetening is a little higher, this would be best over a plentifully iced mug!

OTHER RATINGS

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 7 out of 10

Root Beer Reviews - A

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 4 of 5 barrels

Root Beer Rundown – 85 out of 100

Red Arrow (#65 Rated 6.5 of 12)

Red Arrow Root Beer is another retro root beer brand developed by Orca Beverage out of Mukilteo, WA.  They also have Brownie, Fristie, Dad’s, Earps, and others.

Although the beverage has been re-created by Orca, the original trademark for Red Arrow Root Beer originates in Michigan, with memorabilia that can still be found with notations of Red Arrow Bottling, Detroit, MI. Although it has yet to be known how the original name and concept were developed, based on the timing and logo reference, there is a strong assumption it is correlated to the Red Arrow Brigade formed in 1967. The Red Arrow infantry brigade is a part of the United States Army National Guard and consists of three battalions of light infantry as well as support and engineer units.

According to Orca Beverage President Mike Bourgeois, “The logo used on Red Arrow Root Beer is similar to the arrow tip on the original Red Arrow Brigade shoulder patch. The arrow has an elongated triangular tip with downward sloping outer tips.” He admits that the logo is not a definitive link but is interesting.

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

Ingredients: carbonated water, cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, phosphoric acid, extract of wintergreen and licorice, sodium benzoate (a preservative)

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

65 mg Sodium.

43 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The aroma was sweet, and the flavor was sweet, with wintergreen and a slight black licorice flavoring. While it was not terrible, it was average at best. There was a cream aftertaste that I typically enjoy, although the excessive sweetness minimized that enjoyment.

Head –1.5 out of 3 mugs

A strong head yet no-staying power.  Took less than 30 seconds with no remnant. 

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

It is watery and sweet with a mild, commercial-tasting root beer flavor. That means the taste I envision was created in a lab using chemicals, fabricated rather than real flavors. There is a slight anise flavor with a slight aftertaste I can’t place.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

I would like it if the sugar were cut in half.  I would purchase it again, although there are many I prefer over Red Arrow.

 

Would I recommend this at 6.5 out of 12 mugs?

If you like a sweet root beer with artificial flavor zip, try it.  Otherwise, look at another choice on the aisle.

OTHER RATINGS

  – 5.9 out of 10 

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 4 out of 10

Root Beer Respect – 8 out of 10

The Soda Fry – 8 out of 10

The Handy Father – 4.25 out of 5

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 2.5 of 5 barrels

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 93 out of 100

Dead World Zombie (#64 - Rated 6 out of 12)

This brew is from the Dead World Zombie Soda Company.  Dead World is the award-winning, long-running cult hit comic book. With over 1 million copies in print and over 100 comics and graphic novels released to date, Dead World is not your typical "zombie comic book or story."

Dead World Zombie Soda is a beverage line conceived, marketed, and sold by Caprice Brands LLC based in Livonia, Michigan. The bottled drinks are manufactured by Intrastate Distributors located in Detroit, Michigan. Intrastate Distributors is one of Michigan's most prominent beverage bottlers, with brands such as Frostie Root Beer and Towne Club.  Deadworld Zombie Soda beverages are available in 12 flavors.

 

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

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Citric Acid, and Natural Flavor.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

150 Calories

34 mg Sodium.

37 g (12%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

This is a solid sugar and vanilla aroma.  I love vanilla, but this was excessive, so it was more like a crème soda than a root beer.  The overall sweetness is way too much for my liking. 

Head –1.0 out of 3 mugs

The head is solid and thick.  While it was slow to dissipate, little or no head remained.

Zip – 0.5 out of 3 mugs

Slow Decay has a unique bite and crispiness but is not a root beer.

Post Consumption Impression – 0.75 out of 3 mugs

I generally liked the flavor mix, not as a root beer but as a cream soda. They could reduce the sugar and make this more enjoyable for my preferences.

Would I recommend this at 3.25 out of 12 mugs?

This root beer is excessively sweet for me. It has a solid flavor mix, yet it tastes more like a cream soda than a root beer.

OTHER RATINGS

Five Star Soda – 3 of 5 stars

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 4 of 5 barrels

Sew Whet Root Beer – 7 of 10

Steve’s Root Beer Journal – 6.5 out of 10

Kutztown Sarsaparilla (#63 - 8.1 out of 12)

The Kutztown Bottling Works, Inc., is located in Kutztown, PA. It is one of the City's oldest continually operated businesses.

In 1851, Ed Immel began bottling beverages from an excellent spring near Main St. & Constitution Boulevard. In 1888, he sold the business to Cyrus Rhode and his son John. The Rhodes built a bottling plant at the rear of their homes.  The plant was close to the Kutztown railroad terminal, where rail cars carrying beer in barrels from the defunct Barbey Brewing Co., of Reading, PA..  The barrels were unloaded and taken to the Rhodes bottling plant. This practice was continued from 1890-1905 by Harry B. Sharadin and from 1905-1920 by Joseph Dreibelbis. A

When prohibition was enacted on January 16,1920, following the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the constitution, Keodinger focused more on producing his soft drinks. He developed a well-liked list of 16 flavors, his most popular item being birch beer, his own recipe. After the repeal of prohibition at the end of 1933, the state assumed charge of liquor enforcement. Kiesinger applied to the state for a distributor license and was granted the 23rd license in the state. Soon after the repeal, production of soft drinks increased, and the building at Schley St. became too small.

In 1940, Keodinger purchased the Leibovitz Shirt Factory of New York, New York, located at 78-80 S. Whiteoak St., the current location. The factory was originally a two-room schoolhouse, with two additional rooms added later. The schoolhouse was then demolished, and the current building was erected on the site; the foundation of the school still remains intact.

After World War II, Keodinger's nephews, Donald "Barney" Bieber and his brother "Elly" Bieber, worked at the bottling works. In 1962, they purchased the business and property from their uncle, Percy Keodinger. The two brothers continued operations of the soft drink line. With the growth of Schmidt's Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA, distribution rights were acquired in 1954, allowing Kutztown Bottling Works Inc. to become a supplier of soft drinks and beer to a larger area of customers. In 1989, after many years in the business, Barney and Elly decided it was time to retire and sold the business to Barney's daughter, Audrey, and her husband, Donald "Spike" Miller.

In 2002, the Kutztown Soda Works was incorporated to focus on the Kutztown soda brands. The new corporation was spearheaded by Spike and Audrey’s son, Tom. In December 2007, both businesses were sold to Jeff and Dana Taylor, who continued the tradition.

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

Ingredients: Triple-Filtered Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Natural & Artificial Flavors, Acadia, and Yucca Extractives.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

150 Calories

25 mg Sodium.

36 g (13%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.2 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is solid root beer—a great beverage starter! At first sip, this is a root beer—not a commercial root beer, a home-brewed flavor. After more sips, the flavor becomes interesting and hard to place. It has a slight birch beer taste and a touch of Coke. The birch beer may be a holdover, as Kutztown has been known to produce one of the best birch beers.

Head –1.5 out of 3 mugs

This isn’t a trademark for this beverage. While it does have a head, it quickly dissipates with little remint.

Zip – 2.2 out of 3 mugs

This has a strong herbal root beer zip. It lacks the sarsaparilla dominance I would expect, but the blend is pleasing and unique. 

Post Consumption Impression – 2.2 out of 3 mugs

This is a unique beverage.  Searching other reviews, I found no review that hated the brew.  It was either loved or the middle of the road.  I would crave significantly if I was in the mood, yet I can’t get over the slight Coke taste.  

 

Would I recommend this at 8.1 out of 12 mugs?

This root beer is worth a try.  Again, it is a love / like beverage to me as opposed to some, which are love/hate.

OTHER RATINGS

Root Beer Respect – 6 out of 10

Thirsty Dudes – 5 out of 5 bottles

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 87 out of 100

Steve’s Root Beer Journal 5 out of 10

Boots Sarsaparilla (#62 Rated 4.0 out of 12)

NOTE:  I suspect I had an old spoiled (fermented) bottle and will try again as time permits.

I found less history about the brew than I thought would be available. The label says that at age 18, Ambrose Kristen voyaged from Germany to Galveston, Texas. His father perished on the journey. He was a wheelwright who cared for his family, eventually purchasing Bellville Bottling Works.

Boots Beverages was created by Mark Kristen’s father, Boots Kristen when Kristen Distributing was little more than a bottling company.  They bottled things like Dr. Pepper, Nesbitt, 7Up, and Frosty Root Beer. Boots Beverages featured seasonal flavors similar to craft beers today.  People didn’t have much in those days. Getting a Dreamlike or going to the Picture Show were highlights of your day, which you talked about for weeks. In honor of his father and the family's sacrifices to keep the family business afloat, Mark reintroduced the brand, featuring flavors popular during the 1940s and 1950s. A small way to remember the things that add the greatest flavor to our lives is often simple.

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

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Sugar, Natural Flavors, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Quillaja Extract, Sodium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Potassium Sorbate.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories

25 mg (1%) Sodium.

43 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

The aroma could have been more pleasing?  It was almost a bitter medicinal aroma.  I did not have a solid impression of the beverage.  The first sip could have been more eventful.  It took a lot of work to place what this was trying to be for a flavor.  There was no deep sarsaparilla flavor and very little bite.  It was almost like a bitter and flat mix of Coke with a little grape Neha mixed into the brew.  Just hard to place.  It earned 1.25, higher than my preference, but the oddity earned a few points.

I have wondered if soda gets old and if it goes bad.  This tasted fermented?

Head –1.0 out of 3 mugs  

The head is very light in build and color.  While smooth, it was minimal froth. Is it enhanced as a float?

Zip – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

There is nothing unique about this beverage. It is dry and has a slight aftertaste. I have had beverages with Quillaja in them before and thought they were dry as well. Could that be what I taste?

Post Consumption Impression – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

This was an odd soda.  One I would not venture to purchase for myself in the future.

Would I recommend this at 4.00 out of 12 mugs?

I am sure there are people who have acquired a taste for this beverage. I am not one of them. I love a smooth, rooty soda with vanilla and caramel, and this had none of those desired qualities.  

OTHER RATINGS

Saw-Whet Root Beers 8 out of 10

Brad’s Brew Reviews 9 out of 10

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 76 out of 100

The Root Beer Garden D+

Steve’s Root Beer Journal  3.5 out of 10