In 1935, during the Great Depression, the Janik brothers (Stephen, Walter, and John) founded the Johnnie Ryan Bottling Company in Niagara Falls, New York. At first, they bottled water under the name Keystone Water Company in five-gallon containers for nearby plants and offices at a time when Niagara Falls was a thriving electrochemical industrial complex.
One of the brothers, Walter, was
a delivery truck driver for Coca-Cola.
In 1935, the Coca-Cola Company discontinued its line of multi-flavor drinks to concentrate on the cola business. This brought the Janiks into bottle-flavored soda for the
local market.
As a marketing tool, the brothers
sold their soda in ten-ounce bottles rather than seven-ounce bottles. They named the company Extra Bottling Company. Later, John Janik decided to give the company an Irish name to attract more business. After brainstorming several name variations, he chose “Johnnie Ryan,” which included both of his oldest sons’ names.
The ownership was passed to a
second generation, consisting of a second John Janik (who died in 1994), Ron
Janik, and their brother Paul, the father of the current owners.
Production is done entirely
on-site in Niagara Falls. The workforce at Johnnie Ryan consists of Paul, John, and just two other employees. John makes the syrup mixtures and oversees
warehouse and production operations, while Paul handles sales, product
development, and vendor relations.
Taking pride in their soft drinks and only
using the finest ingredients available quickly made Johnnie Ryan beverages a
hometown "family favorite."
According to the website, Johnnie Ryan root beer is still made of the
finest extracts and flavorings available and still sweetened with 100% pure cane sugar. Also, the text on the bottle is in
French and English.
Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Natural and Artificial Flavor, and Caramel Color
Nutrition (from the bottle):
180 Calories 11.5 oz
50 mg Sodium.
45g (14 %) of
Daily Carbohydrates
45g Sugar
Aroma and Flavor –
2 out of 3 mugs
The syrup smelled strong from the bottle and was a little bitter. The immediate smell soon wanes, and a licorice and wintergreen aroma takes over.
The most dominant flavors are honey and
vanilla. There is a definite medicinal element. The traditional wintergreen and
licorice flavors are strong, yet I get a slight taste of honey and vanilla. This is a pure cane sugar-made soda, and it
is definitely evident. It is sweet with a wide variety of flavors. I scored this 1.5 because I prefer less wintergreen and complex flavorings.
Head – 1.5 out of 3
mugs
When poured into my
tall, frosty mug, a tall head dissipates quickly within seconds.
Zip -- 2 out of 3 mugs
Medium-low level of carbonation provides a
nice mix of smoothness and bite. A
wide variety of flavors give it a unique sensation. For my taste, a little less wintergreen would have made this
a better beverage.
Post Consumption
Impression -- 2 out of 3 mugs
At first, I anticipated a medicinal horror.
However, the odd smell resulted in a tasty yet odd root beer. I enjoy the smoothness, yet it has a strong medicinal taste. It may perfectly balance honey and vanilla with the wintergreen and licorice. This is one for you if you like smooth root beers with various flavor blends.
Would I recommend
this at 7.5 out of 12 mugs?
This is one for you if you like smooth root beers with various flavor blends. It was too medicinal. I would purchase it again over most commercial
brands like Barq’s, A&W, or Dad’s.
Please comment if you believe this beverage is better or worse
than mine.
Other Reviews:
Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 77 out of 100
Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 2 out of 10
Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3.5 of 5 barrels
Root Beer Respect – 8 out of 10
Reviews for the rest of us – B-
Steve’s Root Beer – 6.56 out of 10
Thirsty Dudes – 3 out of 5
