Pop Shoppe (#31 - Rated 5.75 out of 12)

The Pop Shoppe originated in 1969 in Canada, London, Ontario, to be more precise. The goal was not to be overly commercial and to enter the retail market in non-traditional ways. Eventually, the demand was such that Pop Shoppe sold 30 different flavors throughout North America. 

By 1980, sales were weakened from off-brand competition and closed in 1983.   Since that time, some small soft drink bottlers in the U.S. have sold pop using some of the millions of bottles and cases left abandoned by the closure

By 2004, many of the original flavors returned.  In 2012, The Pop Shoppe announced they replaced corn syrup with cane sugar in all their beverages.  This is a plus for me!   The bottle I consumed stated it was bottled in Las Angeles, California.

See more information at http://www.thepopshoppe.com/about/.

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

Ingredients: Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Propylene Glycol, Natural and Artificial Flavor, and Phosphoric Acid.

Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

20 mg Sodium.

46g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The aroma was a mix of unidentifiable scents.  At first drink, there is a creamy sensation with a slight fruity taste. Juicy Fruit gum is more potent than that kind of flavor.  It was not really what I would call a root beer.  It was a cross between a stale barq’s and Dr. Pepper.  While there is a faint overall root beer taste, the aftertaste is more of a bad Coke. 

Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The head is frothy with very fine bubbles.  It reduced quickly to a small amount around the rim, which stayed long.  Based on my follow-up (Web search), is the propylene glycol the difference?

Zip – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

Zip is very minimal, as I can’t determine what the flavor mix is for this beverage. The odd aftertaste was a real deterrent. It almost has a chemical taste with lower carbonation.    

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

This is a soda. I don't know what kind it is, but as a variety of flavors, I found no common root, vanilla, or caramel flavor.  

Would I recommend this at 5.75 out of 12 mugs?

It is worth a try, but I will pass on it unless there are a few options.

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