After being disappointed with Always Ask for Avery’s root beer (2 out of 12 mugs), I went for something a little closer to Minnesota. I selected Golden Maple Root Beer from the Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lakefront
Brewery is Milwaukee’s first brewery to grow from a microbrewery to Regional
Craft Brewery status, meaning 50% of its volume is malt beers or beers that use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor. The brewery is based in the Beerline B Neighborhood and was founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch. They routinely name beers after
neighborhoods.
The
brewery was the first in the U.S. to bottle fruit beer since prohibition was
repealed, starting in 1992 with the seasonal Lakefront Cherry Lager. The
brewery prefers only Wisconsin-grown ingredients. Then came Root Beer!
For starters, the ingredients include Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Pure Wisconsin Maple Syrup, Caramel Color, Natural Root Beer flavor, and Gum Acacia, with preservatives including sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate.
At first glance, I thought they mistakenly filled a bottle with one of
their beers. The color was just like a light beer, not the dark, bold root beer I come to enjoy! They made a root beer look like a premium pilsner and sweetened it with Wisconsin Maple Syrup.
Must there be a desire to use local ingredients? After my trip to Vermont last year, I realized it would be
better to use Vermont Maple Syrup. Why sweeten a root beer with maple syrup? I was hard-pressed to identify the root
beer extract amongst the very distinct flavor of maple syrup. This brew is also sweetened with cane sugar, so it has that double shot of sweetness.
Aroma and Flavor - 1.3 out of 3 mugs
It is smooth, foamy, and very very sweet. The light carbonation and the lack of traditional root beer flavor immediately appear. It does
have more of the maple syrup aroma.
The very light carbonation is not a favorite of mine, either. However, the pure cane sugar and Maple Syrup flavoring make for an unusually pleasing drink if you enjoy low carbonation. I don't know if I would drink this again, but many may like the unique blend of
sweetness. The maple flavor taste lingers way too long for my taste!
Head - 0.5 out of 3 mugs
There
was a medium head with low carbonation (I like the higher carbonation). The
head was not last at all.
Zip - 1 out of 3 mugs
There
is no carbonated zip from this beverage. It packs a powerful sweetness
with all maple syrup and no vanilla (my preferred blend) flavor. This is
not my preferred taste but has a memorable zip if flavor water,
Post Consumption Impression - 1 out of 3 mugs
The post-consumption feeling was one of excessive sweetness. I bet it would be the same if you drank several ounces of maple syrup. As far as sweetness, it took me back to the days of excessive sugar Kool-Aid. The high level of sweetness sticks with you long after it is finished.
Would I recommend this at 3.8 out of 12 mugs (3.3 out of 9 mugs without head)?
Sure, with hesitation. If you like a light carbonation and LOVE maple syrup, this will be a hit! If you prefer the dark, higher carbonated, hint of vanilla and medium sweetness like me, you may try another option. NOTE: I MAY NEED TO GET ANOTHER BOTTLE - THE TESTED BOTTLE MAY HAVE BEEN OLD OR HAD AN ISSUE BASED ON OTHER REVIEWS.
For my
older readers, Lenny and Squiggy must be proud! (If you know what I mean, leave a comment.)
Other Reviews
- Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3.5 of 5 barrels
- Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 95 out of 100
- Five Star Soda - 3 out of 5 stars
- Thirsty Dudes - 3 out of 5
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