Cool Mountain Fountain Classic Root Beer (#61 rated 2.75)

This company was incorporated in 1997 in Des Plaines, Illinois.   More information about history needs to be available if 19 years has much of a history.  Even the blog has been updated over a year ago.

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beers tested.

Ingredients: filtered water, pure cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives)

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

15 mg Sodium.

40g (13%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

1g Protein

Aroma and Flavor – 0.75 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is a mix of flavors but not rooty. It actually had a sour aroma. I did not know what I had just consumed at the first drink. The flavor primarily had a less-than-desirable aftertaste. It reminded me of Sassy Lil' Lass, my lowest-rated root beer. 

I found it hard to find a root beer flavor.  Instead, it has a strong and very dominant medicinal flavor.

Head –0.5 out of 3 mugs

The head is missing.  Seriously, it came and went so fast that I had no idea there was one in the first place.

Zip – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

The beverage earned a 1 mug because it has a medicinal zip.  Its odd flavor resembles nothing like the true root beer flavors I have rated highly.

Post Consumption Impression – 0.5 out of 3 mugs

There are very few brews that I really did not look forward to finishing. Unfortunately, this was one of them. The odd thing is that it has 1g of protein.

 

Would I recommend this at 2.75 out of 12 mugs?

I will not purchase this root beer again. It is an odd beverage, and I assume it is either a love or hate brew.

OTHER RATINGS

Saw-Whet Root Beers 5 out of 10

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 3 out of 10

Root Beer Review – Grade F

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 3 of 5 barrels

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 67 out of 100

Tree Fort Soda (#60 – rated 5.75 out of 12)

Tree Fort Soda is a hometown brew.  Meaning in the metropolitan area where I live.  Eva and Sam Ducker stated they would spend time tasting sodas while the adults in the family tasted wine.  They wanted to “make something better,” Now they make four flavors: Root Beer, Juicy Orange, Ginger Ale, and Classic Cola.  The root beer is “wintergreen, anise, cinnamon, sarsaparilla, marigold, peppercorn, and real honey, for a subtle, rich brew great out of the bottle.” 

Eva Ducker, 17, brought Tree Fort Root Beer to market in 2015 after developing the brand for her senior project at Blake, a private school in Minneapolis, MN. Eva’s brother and sister-in-law, David and Lily Duckler, own a tea house and café in the Seward neighborhood and helped develop the brand by providing the know-how, ingredients, and facility to help the young entrepreneur with her ambition.

Duckler wanted to develop something creamy, sweet, all-natural, and different from traditional sodas like Coke and Pepsi that she deemed “kind of rough stuff.” According to Duckler, root beer is hand-brewed with herbs and flowers, including marigold and chicory, and vanilla and honey are added to the mix. She creates most flavors by “steeping out a bunch of herbs using water extraction.” Indeed, the soda is not in line with a traditional root beer flavor, but Duckler acknowledges this, adding that the soda is much more “layered and balanced.” She says, “It’s what I’d like to think root beer tasted like back at its origins in the 1800s when people were just drinking it made from roots!”

After 70 failed attempts and much trial and error, Duckler finalized the beverage she sought. 

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beers tested.

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Cane sugar, White Honey, Natural flavors, Caramel Color, Quillaja Extract, Malic Acid, Sunflower Oil, Phosphoric Acid, and Xanthan Gum.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

170 mg Sodium.

45 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is very medicinal and unlike the deep, dark root beer I prefer.  The color is almost Crème Soda/Ginger Ale tomes.

At first daring, this is not really a root beer.  It is closer to a root beer/ginger ale mix.  The honey is noted along with a light wintergreen or cinnamon taste.  I almost felt like I was drinking dandelion?

Head –1.75 out of 3 mugs

The head is average.  Quick dissipation with a slight remnant at the outer edge when fully dissipated. 

Zip – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

The zip is made of clove, ginger, and cinnamon.  It is light and dry.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

I do not know what to say?  It is a good soda, but not really a root beer.  It is unique and very dry.  My mouth felt dry after drinking the brew.  Oddly, I have the sensation of drinking carbonated tea with honey for a soft drink.

Would I recommend this at 5.75 out of 12 mugs?

I really like the story of the young entrepreneur breaking out with something different, yet as a root beer lover, I would look twice before making a purchase. However, if you want to try a dry beverage that would give you the sensation of drinking a solid tea with honey, try it!

OTHER RATINGS

Steve’s Root Beer Journal – 3 out of 10

Brad’s Brew Review – 7 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 2.5 out of 5

Briar’s (#59 - rated 9 out of 12)

Briars USA is a non-alcoholic distributor in the central New Jersey region. The company is a subsidiary of High-Grade Beverage (HGB), a franchised wholesale distributor of malt beverages, wine, spirits, and soft drinks. Briars USA has been in business since 1937. Briars USA currently distributes Monster, Vita Cocoa, Function Drinks, Cintron Beverages, Jones Soda and 24 C, Muscle Milk, Sunny Delight, Sweet Leaf Tea Redline Energy, and Welch's Juices.

Historically, Briar’s may be better known for its Birch Beer. Still, it has produced many popular flavors over time, including Black Cherry, Diet Black Cherry, Cream, Diet Cream Soda, Diet Root Beer, Lemon, Sarsaparilla, and Grape Soda.

High-Grade Beverage Company was initially founded by Nicholas DeMarco and Harry "Butch" Levine in 1940. This business was located on Redmond Street in New Brunswick and consisted of only six others - three delivery men, two salespeople, and one secretary.  Over the years, the company grew, bringing on the Briar's USA soft drink beverage bottler in 1986.

Click here for the rating criteria and a summary table of all the root beers tested.

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Invert Sugar, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Citric Acid, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Aspartame, and Yucca Extractives.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

168 Calories

15 mg Sodium.

42 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is commercialized.  Nothing unique, but it actually reminded me of Barq’s.  The first drink was enjoyable.  It's a good blend but has too much carbonation for me.  The sweetness level was a little higher than I prefer.  Could it be the “Invert Sugar” listed as the sugar?

Head –1.5 out of 3 mugs

The head was slightly below average, yet it would make a great root beer float.  Within 30 seconds, there was no sign of any head remaining.

Zip – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

This has a remarkable balance of caramel, vanilla, and carbonation flavors.  I really enjoyed the sensation from the first drink.  It was pleasing, although the carbonation was slightly higher than I would have desired.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

I was pleased and would look for the beverage again.  It is not my top-rated, but close to the top 10.  This is my nomination for a root beer float!  The more I consumed, the more it reminded me of my love for Taco Bell.  The first bite is SO good, by the third bite I realize I am eating something and by the fifth bite, same old crap I could get anywhere.

Would I recommend this at 9 out of 12 mugs?

It is worth a try. It is a little sweet and has higher carbonation than I prefer, which may make it a hit with those who love commercial mixtures such as A&W or Barq’s. I would buy this again.

OTHER RATINGS

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer - 2 of 5 barrels

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel - 84 out of 100

Cosmo’s Root Beer Reviews – 3 out of 10 IBC’s

Saw-Whet Root Beers – 7 out of 10