Root Beer Review process

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

I will first outline the criteria employed for critique. This will provide insight into the reasoning behind my opinions. My reviews are based on my personal perspective, and many readers may hold differing viewpoints.    

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 scored from 0 to 3.  A “0” should be avoided, even if it is free of charge.  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: Upon opening the bottle, the initial aroma sets the tone. An exceptional root beer possesses an aroma that heightens the anticipation of the first sip. Subsequently, a sensation of taste or smoothness is experienced in the mouth. Flavor is the most prevalent reference point for individuals who consume beverages or culinary delights. I favor a robust, indulgent root beer with a subtle, watery texture. This preference implies a high sugar content.


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 factor may not be significant to me, it is of great importance to many. This is the A/W mentality that my generation grew up experiencing. It was a psychological belief that larger foam meant superior taste. Do some manufacturers actually add additives to create the head?

Additionally, the foam's taste may contribute to this score. In some instances, it can be tasteless.   



Zip: Proper spices and carbonation are essential ingredients for crafting an exceptional root beer. The smooth, spicy sensation the beverage imparts to the taste buds is particularly enjoyable. The carbonation provides a subtle tingling sensation on the tongue, creating a harmonious balance between the flavors.


Post-consumption impression: The root beer must intensify 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.

BRAND	W/O Head	Overall Incl Head	Flavor	Head	Zip	Post
Natural State Beverage Co Root Beer	8.55	9.8	2.9	1.25	2.75	2.9
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla	8.4	10.6	2.8	2.2	2.7	2.9
Wild Spur Sarsaparilla	7.9	10.4	2.75	2.5	2.4	2.75
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS is - 0.5	7.9	9.9	2.5	2	3	2.4
Maine Root Sarsparilla	7.9	9.9	2.8	2	2.4	2.7
Lost Trail Sarsaparilla	7.8	10.3	2.9	2.5	2	2.9
Dublin Texas	7.8	10.2	2.8	2.4	2.5	2.5
NORKA	7.75	10.25	2.75	2.5	2.5	2.5
Earp's Sarsaparilla	7.75	8.75	2.25	1	2.75	2.75
Hippo Size	7.7	9.2	2.6	1.5	2.7	2.4
Fitz's Premium	7.6	9.35	2.5	1.75	2.5	2.6
Dachshunds III	7.5	10.3	2.5	2.8	2.5	2.5
Uncle Scott's  (#90)	7.5	9.3	2.7	1.8	2	2.8
Briar's Premium	7.5	9	2.5	1.5	2.5	2.5
Ozark Mountain	7.3	9.3	2.4	2	2.5	2.4
WIld Bill’s (Northwoods Soda)	7.2	9.8	2.4	2.6	2.55	2.25
Hosmer Mountain Sarsaparilla	7.2	9.7	2.6	2.5	2.2	2.4
Saranac 1888	7.1	10.1	2.1	3	2.5	2.5
Black Bear Root Beer by Sprecher	7	9	2.25	2	2.25	2.5
Point Premium- HFCS is -0.5	6.9	9.4	2	2.5	2.4	2.5
Bulldog   (#86)	6.75	9.25	2.25	2.5	2	2.5
Jack Black's Dead Red	6.75	9	2.5	2.25	2	2.25
Yacht Club	6.75	8.25	2.25	1.5	2.5	2
Penny Frosted	6.75	7.75	2.25	1	2.25	2.25
Homer Soda Maple Syrup	6.6	8.6	2.3	2	2	2.3
Fireman's Brew	6.6	8.4	2.2	1.8	2.1	2.3
Kutztown Sarsaparilla	6.6	8.1	2.2	1.5	2.2	2.2
Towne Club	6.6	8	2.2	1.4	2.1	2.3
Dog N Suds - HFCS is - 0.5	6.5	9	2.2	2.5	1.9	2.4
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry	6.5	8.5	2	2	2	2.5
American Classics Ginseng	6.5	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25
Zuberfizz Creamy Root Beer	6.5	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25
Barons	6.4	7.9	2.4	1.5	1.75	2.25
Baumeister - HFCS is - 0.5	6.25	8.25	1.75	2	2.25	2.25
Saint Arnold	6.25	8.0	2.25	1.75	2	2.0
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)	6.25	7.75	2	1.5	2	2.25
Crater Lake	6.25	7.5	2.5	1.25	1.75	2
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS is - 0.5	6.2	8.7	2.2	2.5	2	2
Spring Grove - HFCS is - 0.5	6	8.5	2	2.5	2	2
Judge Wapner	6	8	2.25	2	1.75	2
Dead World Twilight Shuffler	6	7.5	2	1.5	2	2
Foxon Park Draft Style	6	7.5	2.25	1.5	1.75	2
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)	6	7.5	2	1.5	2	2
Route 66 (Edited)	6	7	2	1	2	2
Natural Brew	5.75	7	2	1.25	2	1.75
Bedford's	5.75	6.75	2	1	1.75	2
Sno Cap Root Beer (HFCS -0.5)	5.5	8	2	2.5	1.75	1.75
Blumer's	5.5	7.5	1.75	2	1.75	2
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla	5.25	6.5	1.75	1.25	1.75	1.75
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel	5.25	6.25	1.5	1	2	1.75
Empire Bottling Works	5.25	6	1.75	0.75	1.75	1.75
Thomas Kemper Small Batch	5	7.8	2	2.8	1.5	1.5
Ramblin	5	7.5	1.8	2.5	1.5	1.7
Dad's Old Fashioned	5	7	2	2	1	2
Death Valley (#87)	5	7	1.75	2	1.5	1.75
Rocky Mountain	5	7	1.5	2	1.7	1.8
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)	5	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75
Tyler the Kid	5	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75
Red Arrow	5	6.5	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.75
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer (#89)	4.75	7.25	1.5	2.5	1.75	1.5
Sprecher Rev’d Up	4.75	6.5	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.5
Fest Pecan	4.75	6.25	2	1.5	1.5	1.25
Harmony Springs Sarsaparilla	4.75	6.25	1.75	1.5	1.5	1.5
Pearson Bros 1896	4.75	6.25	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.5
Mom's	4.75	5.25	1.5	0.5	1.5	1.75
Filberts Old Time (HFCS is - 0.5)	4.6	7	1.5	2.4	1.4	1.7
Crim City Soda	4.5	6.5	1.5	2	1.5	1.5
Masons	4.5	6.25	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.75
Dead World Slow Decay	4.5	6	1.25	1.5	2	1.25
Chicago Draft Style (Cold Mountain)	4.5	5.75	1.5	1.25	1.5	1.5
Dang	4.5	5.5	1.5	1	1.5	1.5
Joe's	4.25	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.25	1.5
Three Stooges Wise Guy	4.25	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.5	1.25
Red Ribbon Home Brewed	4.25	6.25	1.5	2	1.5	1.25
Gale's	4.25	5.75	1	1.5	1.75	1.5
The Pop Shop	4.25	5.75	1.5	1.5	1.25	1.5
Rugged Mountain	4.25	5.25	1.25	1	1.5	1.5
Mom & Pop Chocolate Root Beer	4	6.25	1.25	2.25	1.5	1.25
Root Jack Orange (HFCS is - 0.5)	4	6	1.25	2	1.5	1.25
Tree Fort	4	5.75	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.25
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS is - 0.5	4	5	1.5	1	1	1.5
Freaky Dog	4	5	1	1	1.5	1.5
Oogave	4	5	1.25	1	1.25	1.5
Sparky's  (#88)	4	5	1	1	2	1
Stubborn Classic	4	4.5	1.5	0.5	1.25	1.25
Grown Up Soda (GUS)	3.75	6.25	1.25	2.5	1.25	1.25
Myers Avenue Red (HFCS is - 0.5)	3.5	5.75	1.25	2.25	1.25	1
Dr. Browns	3.5	4.5	1	1	1.5	1
Big Ben's	3.5	4	1.5	0.5	1	1
Golden Maple	3.3	3.8	1.3	0.5	1	1
Bawls	3.25	5.5	1.25	2.25	1	1
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float	3.25	4.5	1	1.25	1	1.25
Reading Draft  (#85)	3.2	4.7	1	1.5	1.2	1
Boots Sarsaparilla	3	4	1	1	1	1
Tower	3	3.5	0.5	0.5	1.25	1.25
Frostie Vanilla	3	3	1	0	1	1
Serenity Brothers Root Beer/Vanilla	2.5	2.5	1	0	1	0.5
Sky Valley Organic	2.25	3.25	1	1	0.5	0.75
Cool Mountain	2.25	2.75	0.75	0.5	1	0.5
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS is - 0.5	2	2	1	0	0	1
Sassy Lil Lass	0.5	1.5	0	1	0.5	0