Saturday, June 13, 2015

Root Beer Review process

For the first round, I purchased 49 different root beers and then found 45 more, for a total of 94 bottles of root beer in the closet! Before I end, I hope to have over 100 reviews.  

But first, I will describe the critique criteria used. This will provide an understanding of how I formulated my opinion. Recall that my reviews are my opinion, and I am sure many will not agree.   

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.  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 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: Proper spices and carbonation make a great root beer. I love a smooth, spice-like zip as it passes through the taste buds. The carbonation, which 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 BY SCORE WITHOUT HEAD to emphasize my flavor-rated brews.

BRANDOverallFlavorHeadZipPost
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla10.62.82.22.72.9
Wild Spur Sarsaparilla10.42.752.52.42.75
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS is - 0.59.92.5232.4
Lost Trail Sarsaparilla10.32.92.522.9
Dublin Texas10.22.82.42.52.5
NORKA10.252.752.52.52.5
Earp's Sarsaparilla8.752.2512.752.75
Hippo Size9.22.61.52.72.4
Fitz's Premium9.352.51.752.52.6
Dachshunds III10.32.52.82.52.5
Uncle Scott's  (#90)9.32.71.822.8
Briar's Premium92.51.52.52.5
Ozark Mountain9.32.422.52.4
Hosmer Mountain Sarsaparilla9.72.62.52.22.4
Saranac 188810.12.132.52.5
Point Premium- HFCS is -0.59.422.52.42.5
Bulldog   (#86)9.252.252.522.5
Jack Black's Dead Red  92.52.2522.25
Yacht Club8.252.251.52.52
Penny Frosted  7.752.2512.252.25
Fireman's Brew8.42.21.82.12.3
Kutztown Sarsaparilla8.12.21.52.22.2
Towne Club  82.21.42.12.3
Homer Soda Maple Syrup8.62.3222.3
Dog N Suds - HFCS is - 0.592.22.51.92.4
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry8.52222.5
Saint Arnold 8.252.251.7522.25
American Classics Ginseng  82.251.522.25
Barons7.92.41.51.752.25
Baumeister - HFCS is - 0.58.251.7522.252.25
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)7.7521.522.25
Crater Lake7.52.51.251.752
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS is - 0.58.72.22.522
Spring Grove - HFCS is - 0.58.522.522
Dead World Twilight Shuffler  7.521.522
Judge Wapner  82.2521.752
Foxon Park Draft Style7.52.251.51.752
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)7.521.522
Route 66 (Edited)72122
Natural Brew721.2521.75
Bedford's6.75211.752
Blumer's7.51.7521.752
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla6.51.751.251.751.75
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel6.251.5121.75
Empire Bottling Works  61.750.751.751.75
Thomas Kemper Small Batch7.822.81.51.5
Rocky Mountain  71.521.71.8
Ramblin  7.51.82.51.51.7
Dad's Old Fashioned  72212
Death Valley (#87)71.7521.51.75
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)6.751.751.751.51.75
Tyler the Kid6.751.751.751.51.75
Red Arrow6.51.51.51.751.75
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer (#89)7.251.52.51.751.5
Harmony Springs Sarsaparilla6.251.751.51.51.5
Fest Pecan  6.2521.51.51.25
Mom's5.251.50.51.51.75
Filberts Old Time (HFCS is - 0.5)71.52.41.41.7
Crim City Soda  6.51.521.51.5
Masons6.251.51.751.251.75
Dead World Slow Decay61.251.521.25
Dang5.51.511.51.5
Three Stooges Wise Guy  6.751.52.51.51.25
Joe's6.751.52.51.251.5
Red Ribbon Home Brewed6.251.521.51.25
Gale's  5.7511.51.751.5
The Pop Shop5.751.51.51.251.5
Rugged Mountain  5.251.2511.51.5
Root Jack Orange (HFCS is - 0.5)61.2521.51.25
Tree Fort5.751.51.751.251.25
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS is - 0.551.5111.5
Freaky Dog5111.51.5
Oogave51.2511.251.5
Sparky's  (#88)51121
Stubborn Classic4.51.50.51.251.25
Grown Up Soda (GUS)6.251.252.51.251.25
Myers Avenue Red (HFCS is - 0.5)5.751.252.251.251
Dr. Browns4.5111.51
Big Ben's  41.50.511
Golden Maple  3.81.30.511
Bawls5.51.252.2511
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float4.511.2511.25
Reading Draft  (#85)4.711.51.21
Boots Sarsaparilla41111
Tower3.50.50.51.251.25
Frostie Vanilla  31011
Sky Valley Organic3.25110.50.75
Cool Mountain2.750.750.510.5
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS is - 0.521001
Sassy Lil Lass1.5010.50

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