Tyler the Kid Sarsaparilla - #68 rates 6.75 out of 12

Rocket Fizz is predominately known for its diverse candy line (some say over 4,000 varieties), but unique sodas are also a niche. A web search found that they have made over 500 varieties of soda over their history, not all directly under the Rocket Fizz parent company. 

Rocket Fizz makes this and a variety of other sodas. I have Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float and Judge Wepner’s Root Beer in my “to be reviewed” stock. I reviewed Gene Autry Root Beer. As I prepared for the review, I saw that everything about Tyler the Kid is the same as Gene Autry. I wonder if they bottle the same brew on various labels to attract a variety of connoisseurs. I will review and then look back at the differences I noted, if any.

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

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Natural Flavor, Real Vanilla and Citric Acid.  (What is Natural Flavor?)

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 180 Calories

 25 mg Sodium.

 45 g Sugar (15%)

 0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The aroma was wintergreen and anise, most notably.  I was disappointed that this was labeled a Sarsaparilla, yet I have no sense of any root.  It mainly was carbonation and flavors that did not taste natural.

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Head –1.75 out of 3 mugs

A very thick head that slowly dissipated.  After about a minute, a small foam ring remains.

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

This is not outstanding. It has a mix of flavors that have some meter, yet nothing unique. The carbonation is on the higher end of the spectrum, almost removing the flavor.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

I did not find anything I strongly disliked about this brew. It is a nice beverage with a not-so-strong root beer flavor.

 

Would I recommend this at 6.25 out of 12 mugs?

This is a middle-of-the-road brew at 6.75 out of 12. It's nothing spectacular, yet I would purchase it again over several others I had reviewed. It has been on my shelf for over a year, and I wonder if that impacts flavor.

OTHER RATINGS

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 7 out of 10

Reviews by ZP – 7 out of 10

Root Beer Respect – 6 out of 10

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel - 78 out of 100

Yacht Club - #67 rates 8.25 out of 12

Yacht Club is one of Rhode Island's beverage companies (and may well be one of its only companies, period), and they brew a wide variety of sodas, from birch beer to grape to peach seltzer.

Yacht Club originated in 1915 and was brought by the Sharp family from England to Providence, Rhode Island. It was a true blue-collar business. The company still uses its own water supply, which is supposedly artesian. The website states, “Its natural temperature is 45 degrees, which allows carbonation without the use of cooling towers that can be bad for the environment.”

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

Ingredients: Carbonated Natural Artesian Water, Pure Cane Sugar, natural and artificial root beer flavors, caramel color and citric acid

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

110 Calories

45 mg Sodium.

28 g (9%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.25 out of 3 mugs

The aroma was slightly wood with anise, which I also had from the first drink. There is a strong but not overpowering carbonation. There is a mild vanilla and caramel flavor.  The soda is dry with a slight creamy aftertaste. 

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Head –1.5 out of 3 mugs

The head is full yet dissipated quickly. 

Zip – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

The flavors are plentiful and complex and difficult to pick out individually. The carbonation is not bite-like but very smooth. I really like the overall flavor combination. Although it was dry, I longed for another sip, even after I finished the beverage.  

Post Consumption Impression – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

I really enjoyed the beverage.  It has a great mix of flavors and well-balanced carbonation. This is a very light root beer, in both colors and calories—almost 1/3rd less than most other 12 oz bottles I have reviewed.

 

Would I recommend this at 8.25 out of 12 mugs?

While this is not the best I enjoyed, it is certainly in the top 1/3rd, and I would not hesitate to drink it again. What I find interesting is that I have been home-brewing root beer, and my last batch was not far from this beverage. I added licorice, a hint of wintergreen, and some seeped roots.

OTHER RATINGS

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 7 out of 10

Root Beer Reviews - B

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 3 of 5 barrels

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 4 out of 10

Steve’s Roof Beer – 5 out of 10

Thirsty Dudes - 4 out of 5

Brad’s Brew Review – 7 out of 10

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 66 out of 100

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