Saranac 1888 Root Beer (#55 rated - 10.1 out of 12)

This brew is from the Matt Brewing Company. Its origins are German ancestry, and it was migrated to the United States in 1880. Francis Xavier Matt, I worked for Charles Bier Bauer Brewing before reorganizing it into The West End Brewery. Like so many others, soft drinks became the way to keep the factory operational during prohibition.

The information found boasts, “Since 1888, we have honored our great-grandfather's commitment to tradition and quality.” That is right, as the sweater is Made from High-Fructose Corn Syrup. This is a way to keep tradition and quality in check (sarcasm intended). They say their family-owned brewery (New York state's oldest, located in Utica) has a long tradition of taking pride in what they create.

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

Ingredients: Filtered Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Aspartame, Citric Acid, Gum Arabic, and Modified Food Starch.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

55 mg Sodium.

46 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.1 out of 3 mugs

There was a hint of root beer aroma upon opening, yet the licorice was stronger. The first drink was enjoyable but not outstanding. I could not sense any vanilla, and the carbonation was like that of a highly commercial beer rather than a craft brew. I noted the high sodium count, which is not needed. Overall, this solid drink was docked 0.5 for HFCS use.

Head –3 out of 3 mugs

Now this is a head!  One of the best is being very foamy without dissipating quickly.  After a few minutes, it had not entirely dissipated. 

Zip – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

Solid carbonation and good flavor use gave this some zip. It was high on the carbonation scale for me.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

Overall, it was a very enjoyable beverage.  The HFCS and sodium content make it less desirable, although very satisfying!

Would I recommend this at 10.1 out of 12 mugs?

Do you like Henry Weinhards? You would like this beverage. The score and enjoyment factor were the same. Add this to the list if you prefer to commercialize Barq’s, A&W, or Dad’s.

OTHER RATINGS

The Soda Jerks - A

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 8 out of 10

Root Beer Respect – 9 out of 10

Pragmatic Hepatic – 5.1 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 4.5 of 5 barrels

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 94 out of 100
Fear No Root Beer - 5 of 5

Derek Janiak – 5.1 out of 10 

Mom’s Root Beer (#54 tested - rated 5.25 out of 10)

They use a cute gimmick on the bottle.  They refer to Dad’s root beer as “The Better Half.”  I tried to find information on the brew.  The bottle states to go to www.momsrootbeer.com, but that comes up as “404 (page not found) Error”.  It also said, “Distributed by Core Beverage, Minneapolis, MN,” but that company has no website or information.  So, I do not have much background on this beverage.  That is too bad, as I like knowing how it originated and evolved. 

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

Ingredients: Purified carbonated water, pure cane sugar, caramel color, sodium benzoate, natural and artificial flavor, citric acid

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

45 mg Sodium.

43 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is a little medical.  Almost like there is mint mixed with slight vanilla.  The first drink was very watered down, although the flavor grew with the second drink.  Unfortunately, this is not the better half in my opinion.  Both the aroma and flavor are average at best. 

Head –0.5 out of 3 mugs

The head was almost non-existent.  Some people prefer little or no head to the beverage.  I prefer a medium head with a larger foam bubble.  This could have been better.

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

While the first drink had little or no zip, that was just a sip.  If you take a larger drink, the carbonation provides a little sensation, but the flavor mix does little in this category.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

I scored this brew higher than it deserves, as the beverage was better than the 3.5 in the first three categories.  However, I could not score it higher as the post-consumption impression was average, at best.

 

Would I recommend this at 5.25 out of 12 mugs?

While this is not a terrible brew, and I would not turn it down if offered, I would not seek out the beverage.  That is unfortunate, as the play with the name is the bed part of the beverage.

OTHER RATINGS

Brads Brew Review – 6.5 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 3.5 of 5 barrels

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 65 out of 100

Root beer reviews by ZP – 10 out of 10

Steve’s Root Beer Journal – 3.5 out of 10

Saw-Whet Root Beers – 7 out of 10

Sky Valley Organic Root Beer (#53, rated 3.25 out of 12)

So they use organic ingredients, including Apple Cider Vinegar. They also have 170 mg of sodium—really that much sodium, even as organic. That’s what they do to fat-free foods to make them taste good!

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

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Caramel Color, Organic Vanilla Extract, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Citric Acid.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

110 Calories

170 mg Sodium.

26 g (9%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

The aroma from the start was suspect as there was no root beer aroma.  I could tell there was vanilla and slight licorice.  There was something strange as well. 

At the first drink, I knew this would be a difficult review to write, as I try to find something that makes root beer enjoyable. This was more like tonic water with a combination of fruit and vinegar. This brew has a sodium content twice that I have ever seen, at 170 mg. Does it need salt to lessen the vinegar taste?

Head –1.0 out of 3 mugs

The head was fine bubbles that did not have the sense of the real froth I typically see on a root beer. This was rather disappointing.

Zip – 0.5 out of 3 mugs

I want to give it a higher score, but the only zip I get is from the vinegar and sodium. Nothing is unique about this, and it is hard to say this is a root beer. In fact, when I have mineral water with stevia drops, it is more enjoyable overall.

Post Consumption Impression – 0.75 out of 3 mugs

The more I sipped, the less I liked it.  Although it has a hint of vanilla, which I like, that is all.  Nothing else resembled a root beer.

 

Would I recommend this at 3.25 out of 12 mugs? 

I would shy away from this if you are looking for a root beer.

OTHER RATINGS

Brads Brew Review – 4.5 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 2 of 5 barrels

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 42 out of 100

Steve’s Root Beer Journal 1.5 out of 10

Stobborn Root Beer (#52 tested rated 4.5 out of 12)

This brew is a craft beverage from Pepsi Co., and my first thought was overcommercialized processing. It was introduced in late 2015, so there are very few reviews on it. 

To spread its tagline, "IT'S GOOD TO BE STUBBORN™," the brand has partnered with Robert Kirkman, the creator and executive producer of "The Walking Dead," "Outcast," and Skybound Entertainment to bring a new campaign to life.

STUBBORN root beer is made with Fair Trade Certified Cane Sugar and Stevia. Therefore, it is a lower-calorie beverage at 100 calories. It is made with natural flavors and without High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), artificial sweeteners, or Azo Dyes.

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

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Caramel Color, Natural Flavor, Sodium Benzoate (Preserves Freshness), Phosphoric Acid, Purified Stevia Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Calcium Disodium Edta (To Protect Flavor)

Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

100 Calories

85 mg Sodium.

27 g (9%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

My first impression was that HOLY COW has 85 mg of sodium.  This would not surprise me, coming from Pepsi.  Anything to increase cravings to drink more. 

The opening was a pleasure.  It had an authentic rooty aroma, actually really pronounced.  At first drink, I understood why.  For some reason, birch beer has a stronger aroma.  This has more characteristics of a birch beer than root beer.  Typically, Birch beer is made from oil distilled from the sap of birch trees, making for a dry taste.

The first drink solidified my thoughts of mild carbonation, dryness, and a low sweetener flavor. It left my mouth quite dry, possibly from the higher amount of sodium or some other ingredient. The more I consumed the beverage, the more my mouth grew increasingly dry. This scored slightly higher than it would deserve, but it is a blend in the middle of the road.

Head – 0.5 out of 3 mugs

What, there is foam here?  Sorry, I blinked, so I tried a second time.  There it was, but like magic, it was gone.      

Zip – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

This was rather dry and uneventful.  I could taste the stevia, which I am familiar with as I occasionally use stevia in mineral water.  This is close to that taste if the carbonation was lower.  This beverage is on the lower side of carbonation.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

This is worth a try if you like a dry, lower-calorie beverage with stevia.  This is not overall to my liking.  I would not turn it down for a free bottle, but I would spend money for so many other brews.

 

Would I recommend this at 4.5 out of 12 mugs?

May, at best.  If you like a dry beverage that is more like a birch beer, give it a try.

Other Reviews

• SodaFry 
• Cosmo's Root Beer - 4 out of 10 
• Eric's Gourmet - 1 out of 5 barrels
• Kyle's Root Beer Galacticus - C-

Blummers (#51 - Rated 7.5 out of 12)

The bottle states “Est 1845,” meaning it has been around for almost 171 years. The bottler has the history; I am not so sure the root beer shares that history.  

What is known is that the Monroe Brewing Company was started by Mr. Bissinger in 1845. He operated it for three years before John Knipschlidt took over for nine years. The operation changed hands regularly until Adam Blumer Sr. took over in 1892. In 1906, the name was changed to Blumer Brewing Company. In 1938, production was significantly reduced, and the brewery was primarily used for cheese storage. Figures, it is Wisconsin.

In 1947, the business was sold to Joseph Huber, who renamed it Joseph Huber Brewing Company. He leased the facility until 1967 when he purchased the site. In 1985, Bill Smith and Craig Werle took over the brewery and reached peak capacity. Here, they originated Mike’s Hard Lemonade, which was later sold to Stroh Brewing Company, which later merged with Pabst Brewing Company. 

Fred Huber purchased the brew back in 1989.  Other changes happened, the final change being that the Minhas family purchased the brewery on October 3, 2006, and changed the name. 

The funny thing is, with all the history I have found, I have yet to learn when root beer originated. They make a point to say it is “Certified Kosher.”  

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

Ingredients: Carbonated water, sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (to preserve freshness)

Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

177 Calories

13.7 mg Sodium.

43.1g (13%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is rather minimal. There was nothing good or bad, yet the wintergreen was noted. I am not a huge Wintergreen fan, as evidenced by the first drink. There is also a vanilla and creaminess that goes down well. I even taste a small amount of butterscotch. This is not overpowering, yet there is no wow factor either.

Head – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

The head is medium but short-lived. When I poured the beverage, I immediately thought it may be a great root beer float head.      

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The flavor mix is too much for me.  It is an interesting blend of flavors.  Besides getting wintergreen, vanilla, and butterscotch, I also get a sense of Juicy Fruit gum.    The carbonation is low.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

This was an odd experience. I would take a drink and really like it, then take another drink and think I am finished. The cycle continued. Overall, I found more enjoyment than dislike. It shows that I have rated 51 root beers to date, and this ranks 26^th.

 

Would I recommend this at 7.5 out of 12 mugs?

My girlfriend loved this while I was indifferent. Try it.  I find it hard to believe you would not find it at least average.

OTHER RATINGS

Cosmo’s Root Beer Reviews – 6 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 2 out of 5 barrels

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 89 out of 100

Vermont Sweetwater Rugged Mountain Root Beer (#50 - Rated 5.25 out of 12)

There is a beverage from the Vermont Sweetwater Company. Vermont Sweetwater Bottling Company is a small family-owned and operated company producing all-natural beverages. Their website states, “made with the finest ingredients.” Yes, that is right from the website. They use ingredients, not ingredients like most others. It may be a Vermont thing? 

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

Ingredients: carbonated water, evaporated cane juice, natural flavors, spices, and citric acid

Nutrition 12 oz serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

7.5 mg Sodium.

42g (13%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

My first thought was, this is almost clear, how can it be root beer.  It is also sweetened with evaporated cane juice.  What is that?

It looks more like a Sprite or ginger ale.  Upon opening, it smelled like Sprite.  The first drink was different from what I expected.  It is overly sweet and was like a hint of sassafras and extra wintergreen in low-carbonated Sprite.  This is not a root beer by any means.  Could it be a wintergreen/honey crisp apple ginger ale or cream soda?

Head –1.0 out of 3 mugs

The head was rather small and quickly dissipated without a trace.      

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The zip has the highest rating of all three categories. When I drink the beverage, I don't feel carbonation or a punch, but more of a “what is this” thought. I can’t place it anywhere, and it is intriguing.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

While this is rated low, it is not the worst beverage.  In fact, if it resembled root beer, it may be the middle of the pack, and I would try it again.  Only when I want something good, with a flavor other than root beer.

 

Would I recommend this at 5.25 out of 12 mugs?

The rating is low and maybe a little harsh. I like root beer. This is far from root beer, yet it could still be an enjoyable beverage for certain occasions. I actually like it enough to buy it again, but if I crave a good root beer, I would prefer something else.

OTHER RATINGS

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer 1.5 out of 5 barrels

Root Beer Reviews Grade F

Eat like no one else 2 out of 5

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel 82 out of 100