Dog n Suds (#12 - Rated 9.0 out of 12)

This root beer originated from an in-car (A&W style) drive-in restaurant. The first Dog n Suds was opened in 1953 in Champaign, Illinois. Two University of Illinois music teachers, James Griggs and Don Hamacher, started the chain. The chain grew, and a training center was established in Champaign, named "Rover College" after the dog on the restaurant sign. At its peak, there were over 500 restaurants.

The franchise was sold in the early 1970s, and the franchise business was abandoned.  About a dozen Dog n Suds restaurants remain in Illinois/Ohio.  The Dog n Suds brand of root beer was sold to a private bottler.  It is currently bottled by Clover Club Bottling Corporation in Illinois.

Click here for a list of all root beers tested and rating criteria.)

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (as a preservative), Natural and Artificial Color

Nutrition information from the label (Per 8 0z):

• 110 Calories  (13.75 per oz)
• 30mg Sodium.  (3.75 mg per oz)
• 30g sugar  (10%) of Daily Carbohydrates (3.75 g per oz)

Aroma and Flavor -- 2.2 out of 3

The use of high fructose corn syrup caused me to lower the score by 0.5. (So, it's really a 2.7 because I did not like the HFCS use.)

Upon opening the bottle, it immediately smells like solid root beer.  However, to my disappointment, there is no notable vanilla scent.  At the first drink, I found it to be rich and creamy.  There is a subtle vanilla flavor with a stronger caramel flavor.  The flavor is nothing special, being comparable to many mass-produced root beers.  Although the lighter carbonation is near the top of the HFCS mass-produced root beers, which are normally way over-carbonated,  It is easy to note the syrup texture, which tends to linger long after consumption. 

  

Head -- 2.5 out of 3

The head is what I would expect from a drive-in root beer, which is very high with suds.  However, the carbonation balance impacts the experience, which I like from the head of the root beer.

Zip -- 1.9 out of 3

The beverage lacks in this category. The carbonation is slightly higher, but we must offset the creative flavor's lack. It's a hard balance to find, and it could be better based on my preferences.

Post Consumption Impression -- 2.4 out of 3

This beverage would be great with a hot dog. I'm not saying that because of the name, but it is just the chilidog with a solid root beer experience. It did not satisfy my thirst. In fact, the syrup aftertaste made my mouth dry. I would not turn away from the beverage if available, but there are others that are clearly my personal favorites.

Would I recommend this at 9 out of 12 mugs?

The Aftertaste also has the right stuff. This root beer is just plain good but could be better. Assume it significantly differed from the commercial brand I experienced today when it was originally produced.

Other Reviews - One hated it

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• Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 5 out of 10       
• Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer –  4 of 5 barrels 
• Handy Father -  2.75 of 5      
• Root Beer Respect – 4 out of 10     
• Rob’s Root Beer Reviews – 5 out of 10
• SodePop reviews - 7 out of 10
• Soda Jerks - A
• Steve’s Root Beer – 7 out of 10       
• Kyle’s Root Beer Galacticus - F