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 

Zuberfizz Creamy Root Beer - #94 - 8.5 out of 12 mugs

In 2002, Durango Soda Company, Inc. was founded by Banden Zuber (hence Zuberfizz) and Dan Aggeler.  They were roommates at Colorado State University who brewed their own beverages.  They state that the most essential ingredient used in our sodas is pure cane sugar. Large companies have abandoned pure cane sugar to cut costs by using high-fructose corn syrup. Zuberfizz Creamy Root Beer is handcrafted with fresh triple-filtered Rocky Mountain water.  

The environment is essential to Durango Soda Company, which uses only glass bottles.  They employ environmentally friendly best practices during commercial production and packaging.  

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

Ingredients:

Triple Filtered Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caramel Color, Gum Arabic, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative

 

What is Gum Arabic?  This is the first time I've seen this ingredient (at least I don't recall it before).

I found Arabic Gum is primarily used as an emulsifier and stabilizer. It reduces the surface tension between oil and water, allowing them to mix and form a stable emulsion, and maintains the emulsion stability, preventing it from breaking down or separating over time.  In some beverages, gum arabic can also contribute to a smoother and creamier mouthfeel.  Gum arabic can help stabilize the foam, preventing it from dissipating quickly. 

 

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 

159 Calories

30 mg Sodium.

43 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

 

Aroma and Flavor – 2.25 out of 3 mugs

 

The aroma is delightful.  At first sip, a prominent vanilla and caramel flavor is noticeable.  If you like a hint of mint, this may not be the beverage for you.  It would be strong, but adding a slight amount of water makes it more pleasant to my taste. 

 

Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

 

 The head was small yet slowly dissipated.  There was some slight foam residue minutes after the pour.

 

Zip – 2 out of 3 mugs  

 

While the zip score is two, that is because the carbonation and flavors blend well to give a pleasant taste.  There is nothing that grips you, as it is a smooth, flavorful beverage.  It lacks the root and mint flavor that many appreciate, which would earn a higher score in this category.

 

Post Consumption Impression – 2.25 out of 3 mugs  

 

Since I love the vanilla flavor, I find this enjoyable and would drink it again.  It's an enjoyable and straightforward root beer, but not one that leaves a lasting impression to make me choose it as my first selection when a few others are available.   

Would I recommend this at 8.5 out of 12 mugs (6.5 out of 9 mugs without head)?

 

I recommend this brew if you're looking for a simple yet pleasing beverage.  The flavor score (excludes the head score) places this as #31 in the 94 brews reviewed to date.  

 

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 77 out of 100

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review –  5 out of 10 caps 

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

Root Beer Respect –  7 out of 10

Reviews for the rest of us –  Rated B+ 

Soda Fry - 8.3 out of 10 CLICK HERE FOR REVIEW 

Soda Jerks - Grade A CLICK HERE FOR REVIEW

Steve’s Root Beer – 8.5 out of 10 

Kyle’s Root Beer Galacticus - Score C

The root beer person - Scores 2 out of 5

Serenity Brothers Root Beer Vanilla Bean #93 - 2.5 out of 12

There must be more information about the history, yet I need help finding something. It looks like it was created by Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN. I assume that Blue Son was created by Mark Lazarchic, who also created the flavors.

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

Ingredients:

Filtered Carbonated Water, Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Bicarbonate and Citric Acid

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

90 mg Sodium.

43 g ( %) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1 out of 3 mugs

Once opened, there is no doubt this is a vanilla bean beverage. There is minimal root beer aroma. At first drink, the sweetness and vanilla overwhelm the drink to a point where it is better enjoyed with small sips. This may be a better option for a float, provided there is more ice cream than a beverage.  I would have scored lower, but the vanilla was flavorful.

Head – 0 out of 3 mugs  

The head was non-extent.  There was no indication of any foam when poured.

Zip – 1 out of 3 mugs  

The only zip is vanilla bean and only a little else.  

Post Consumption Impression – 0.5 out of 3 mugs  

I would not choose this as a beverage over most of the beverages I tested. 

Would I recommend this at 2.5 out of 12 mugs (2.5 out of 9 mugs without head)?

This is only sugar and vanilla; I could recommend it if that makes a beverage your favorite.  The beverage has the third-highest sodium content of the root beers I have tested.  Only Sky Valky Organic and Cicero Salted Caramel had higher sodium content.

OTHER REVIEWS

Soda Guide Review

Root Beer Journal –  8.5 out of 10

Maine Root Sarsaparilla - #92, 9.9 out of 12

 Maine Root company started when Mark Seiler’s younger brother, Matt, graduated from the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design in Kennebunk, Maine.  Working as a boat builder and former fishing guide, Mark helped a friend, Bobby Morgan, build the oven at Flatbread Pizza Company, a wood-fired organic pizza restaurant in Portland, Maine. The menu featured natural and organic ingredients but had no natural beverages to match.  The Seiler’s set to work using my home brewing equipment and developed some recipes for a root beer.  They sold more root beer than Coke at the restaurant that first summer.  Praises and orders flowed, and soon, Mark quit his software sales job to expand their distribution.

Distribution started in Scarborough, Maine, in a surfer shack in Higgins Beach Brewing Company in a lobster pot, delivering hand-packed cases from a VW Jetta converted to run-on used vegetable oil.  All bottled products are made in the brewery in Portland, Maine, but the Kegs are made in Austin.  Austin also houses the soda fountain syrup operation in Austin.  

 

Main Root uses Fair Trade Certified Organic Evaporated Cane Juice to sweeten the sodas.  Sweetness is made by passing the whole sugar cane through a set of rollers and then drying the extract into crystals with no extra processing or additives. Organic Evaporated Cane Juice sweeteners are derived from the first carbohydrate of photosynthesis, sucrose. The bottom line, so they say, is it tastes better.  Since it is Organic, it should be better for you, the farmers, and the ecosystem. 

 

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

 

Ingredients: Carbonated pure water, organic fair trade–certified cane juice, and spices.

 

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 

145 Calories

35 mg Sodium.
35g (11%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

 

Aroma and Flavor – 2.8 out of 3 mugs 

 

When opening the bottle, I noticed a solid root beer aroma.  No other aromas, like cloves, wintergreen, or licorice notes in other brews, are found.  While I have not reviewed Maine Root Beer yet, it has been one of my all-time favorites.  The brews emphasize the ingredients, including FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED ORGANIC SUGAR, to allow the flavor of each of these extracts to come through.

 

Surprisingly, even with the definite root beer smell, it is a color between 7-UP and Ginger Ale—almost clear. It is smooth and has little to no creamy taste. There is a slight ginger aftertaste. However, I love ginger, so it was pleasing to me.     

 

Head – 2 out of 3 mugs

 

The head was full and dissipated to a small head, which stayed for another few minutes.  The glass had foam remnants on the side after several sipes. 

 

Zip – 2.4 out of 3 mugs

 

This is not the multiple-flavor bold brew that would be commercially sold.  It is smooth without being creamy.  I prefer my beverage to have a low sweetness level.  This is well-balanced, yet less sugar would suit me fine.

 

Post Consumption Impression – 2.7 out of 3 mugs

 

This may not be for you if you thrive on complex recipes with higher carbonation. It has the fewest ingredients of anything I have reviewed to date and is very smooth. It is enjoyable as a beverage, yet perfect for a meal!

  

Would I recommend this at 9.9 out of 12 mugs?

 

If you look at my ratings, I enjoy Sarsaparilla Brews the best and would highly recommend a six-pack. However, this may not be for you if you like a heavier root taste with many other dominant flavors, such as wintergreen or anise! 

 

OTHER RATINGS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 89 out of 100

Rob’s Root Beer Reviews – 6 of 10

Soda Jerks - A

Thirsty Dudes – 5 out of 5     

Serenity Root Beet & Vanilla Bean - #91 , 5 out of 12 mugs

This is a series of sodas from Blue Sun Soda in Minnesota. Serenity Sodas come in your choice of 6 flavors, including Lime and coconut, Orange and cinnamon, Pineapple and cream, Raspberry and basil, Root Beer and vanilla Bean, and Strawberry and rhubarb. The website claims each bottle is handcrafted with a harmonious blend of flavors and real sugar to perfect everything. With each sip, you will feel yourself shedding the stresses of daily life and entering a state of pure serenity.

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

Ingredients:

 

Filtered Carbonated Water, Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Artificial Color, Sodium Benzoate and Citric Acid 

 

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 

 Calories 180

 90 mg Sodium.

 43g ( 16%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

 

Aroma and Flavor – 1.25 out of 3 mugs 

 

From the start, this is a cream soda. The aroma and flavor have little, if any, root beer characteristics. This brew has the third highest sodium contact of the 91 root beers I tested.

 

Head – 0.75 out of 3 mugs   

 

The head was nearly non-existent.  Within seconds, there was no remnant to see.   

 

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs   

 

 The carbonation is low, and the vanilla and sugar are high.  

 

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

This is a very sweet and vanilla beverage. I found no sense in traditional root beer. I love vanilla cream, yet the sweetness and sodium were too much for my taste. The high sodium, at 90 mg, is evident.

Would I recommend this at 5 out of 12 mugs (4.25 out of 9 mugs without head)?

 

If you love sweet vanilla cream soda, I highly suggest this for your inventory. If you are looking for a vanilla and root beer combination, maybe mix it with your favorite strong root beer to make a well-balanced beverage. 

 

OTHER REVIEWS

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 6 out of 10

Steve’s Root Beer – 8.5 out of 10 

Time to get back

After several challenging years in a highly toxic work environment, I retired. It has taken almost two months to breathe again after escaping the hell I was experiencing. The good part is that as a retiree, I now have time to do things I enjoy, like reviewing my favorite beverage—root beer. I will continue to use the same criteria and synopsis data at this link (and below).  Here are my criteria.

I will rate each root beer using four variables: 

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

Each variable will be awarded with a score of 0 to 3 mugs.  A "0" should be avoided, even if it is free.  A "3" is top of the line.  I will total the ratings and have a final number for the review. Therefore, 12 mugs is a root beer made in heaven, based on my preferred taste and texture.



Aroma and Flavor: First, the aroma when you open the bottle is the first impression. An excellent root beer has an aroma that enhances the anticipation of the first drink.  This is followed by taste or smoothness in my mouth.  The flavor is the most common reference for people enjoying a beverage or food.  I prefer a thick and rich, with a little water-like texture, for my root beer.  I understand that means the sugar count is high.



I prefer root Beer with a hint of vanilla. I can often tell immediately which are flavored with honey. I even noted that some use maple syrup.  



Head: While this is not a significant factor for me, it is essential to many. This is the A/W mentality my generation grew up experiencing.  It was a psychological belief that big foam meant big taste. Do some actually put additives in place to create the head?
  In addition, the taste of all that delightful foam may add to this score.  In some cases, it's tasteless.  



Zip: The zip from proper spices and carbonation makes a great root beer. I love a smooth, spice-like zip as it passes through the taste buds. The carbonation that provides a slight tongue tingle is 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.

BRAND	Overall	Flavor	Head	Zip	Post	W/O Head
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla	10.6	2.8	2.2	2.7	2.9	8.4
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS docked 0.5	9.9	2.5	2	3	2.4	7.9
Wild Spur Sarasparilla	10.4	2.75	2.5	2.4	2.75	7.9
Lost Trail Sarasparilla	10.3	2.9	2.5	2	2.9	7.8
Dublin Texas	10.2	2.8	2.4	2.5	2.5	7.8
NORKA	10.25	2.75	2.5	2.5	2.5	7.75
Earp's Sarsparilla	8.75	2.25	1	2.75	2.75	7.75
Hippo Size	9.2	2.6	1.5	2.7	2.4	7.7
Fitz's Premium	9.35	2.5	1.75	2.5	2.6	7.6
Briar's Premium	9	2.5	1.5	2.5	2.5	7.5
Dachshunds III	10.3	2.5	2.8	2.5	2.5	7.5
Uncle Scott's	9.3	2.7	1.8	2	2.8	7.5
Ozark Mountain	9.3	2.4	2	2.5	2.4	7.3
Hosmer Mountain Sasparilla	9.7	2.6	2.5	2.2	2.4	7.2
Point Premium- HFCS docked 0.5	9.7	2.3	2.5	2.4	2.5	7.2
Saranac 1888	10.1	2.1	3	2.5	2.5	7.1
Penny Frosted	7.75	2.25	1	2.25	2.25	6.75
Dead World Twilight Shuffler	8.25	2.25	1.5	2.25	2.25	6.75
Yacht Club	8.25	2.25	1.5	2.5	2	6.75
Jack Black's Dead Red	9	2.5	2.25	2	2.25	6.75
Bulldog	9.25	2.25	2.5	2	2.5	6.75
Towne Club	8	2.2	1.4	2.1	2.3	6.6
Firemans Brew	8.4	2.2	1.8	2.1	2.3	6.6
Kutztown Sarsaparilla	8.1	2.2	1.5	2.2	2.2	6.6
Homer Soda Maple Syrup	8.6	2.3	2	2	2.3	6.6
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry	8.5	2	2	2	2.5	6.5
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS docked 0.5	9	2.2	2.5	2	2.3	6.5
Saint Arnold	8.25	2.25	1.75	2	2.25	6.5
American Classics Ginseng	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25	6.5
Dog N Suds - HFCS docked 0.5	9	2.2	2.5	1.9	2.4	6.5
Barons	7.9	2.4	1.5	1.75	2.25	6.4
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)	7.75	2	1.5	2	2.25	6.25
Baumeister - HFCS docked 0.5	8.25	1.75	2	2.25	2.25	6.25
Crater Lake	7.5	2.5	1.25	1.75	2	6.25
Judge Wapner	8	2.25	2	1.75	2	6
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)	7.5	2	1.5	2	2	6
Route 66   (Edited)	7	2	1	2	2	6
Foxon Park Draft Style	7.5	2.25	1.5	1.75	2	6
Spring Grove - HFCS docked 0.5	8.5	2	2.5	2	2	6
Natural Brew	7	2	1.25	2	1.75	5.75
Bedfords	6.75	2	1	1.75	2	5.75
Rocky Mountain	7.7	1.5	2	2	2.2	5.7
Blummers	7.5	1.75	2	1.75	2	5.5
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel	6.25	1.5	1	2	1.75	5.25
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla	6.5	1.75	1.25	1.75	1.75	5.25
Empire Bottling Works	6	1.75	0.75	1.75	1.75	5.25
Dad's Old Fashioned	7	2	2	1	2	5
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75	5
Tyler the Kid	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75	5
Harmony Springs Sarsparilla	6.5	1.75	1.5	1.5	1.75	5
Ramblin	7.5	1.8	2.5	1.5	1.7	5
Thomas Kemper Small Batch	7.8	2	2.8	1.5	1.5	5
Red Arrow	6.5	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.75	5
Death Valley	7	1.75	2	1.5	1.75	5
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer	7.25	1.5	2.5	1.75	1.5	4.75
Mom's	5.25	1.5	0.5	1.5	1.75	4.75
Fest Pecan	6.25	2	1.5	1.5	1.25	4.75
Filberts Old Time - HFCS docked 0.5	7	1.5	2.4	1.4	1.7	4.6
Masons	6.25	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.75	4.5
Crim City Soda	6.5	1.5	2	1.5	1.5	4.5
Dead World Slow Decay	6	1.25	1.5	2	1.25	4.5
Dang	5.5	1.5	1	1.5	1.5	4.5
Joe's	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.25	1.5	4.25
The Pop Shop	5.75	1.5	1.5	1.25	1.5	4.25
Rugged Mountian	5.25	1.25	1	1.5	1.5	4.25
Three Stooges Wise Guy	7	1.5	2.75	1.5	1.25	4.25
Gale's	5.75	1	1.5	1.75	1.5	4.25
Red Ribbon Home Brewed	6.25	1.5	2	1.5	1.25	4.25
Root Jack Orange  (HFCS Docked 0.5)	6	1.25	2	1.5	1.25	4
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS docked 0.5	5	1.5	1	1	1.5	4
Oogave	5	1.25	1	1.25	1.5	4
Stubborn Classic	4.5	1.5	0.5	1.25	1.25	4
Tree Fort	5.75	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.25	4
Freaky Dog	5	1	1	1.5	1.5	4
Sparky's	5	1	1	2	1	4
Grown Up Soda (GUS)	6.25	1.25	2.5	1.25	1.25	3.75
Big Ben's	4	1.5	0.5	1	1	3.5
Myers Avenue Red - HFCS docked 0.5	5.75	1.25	2.25	1.25	1	3.5
Dr. Browns	4.5	1	1	1.5	1	3.5
Golden Maple	3.8	1.3	0.5	1	1	3.3
Bawls	5.5	1.25	2.25	1	1	3.25
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float	4.5	1	1.25	1	1.25	3.25
Reading Draft	4.7	1	1.5	1.2	1	3.2
Tower	3.5	0.5	0.5	1.25	1.25	3
Frostie Vanilla	3	1	0	1	1	3
Boots Sarsparilla	4	1	1	1	1	3
Sky Valley Organic	3.25	1	1	0.5	0.75	2.25
Cool Mountain	2.75	0.75	0.5	1	0.5	2.25
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS docked 0.5	2	1	0	0	1	2
Sassy Lil Lass	1.5	0	1	0.5	0	0.5