Dang! - #78, 5.5 out of 12

This brew is from Imperial Flavors, a family-owned and operated business out of Milwaukee, WI, since 1964.  The company started with Jack Pettigrew in 1964.  They primarily make juice concentrates to be sold to bars and restaurants, as well as soda.  The information I found stated Pettigrew had an A&W-like root beer formula and made tweaks.  At one point, he exclaimed, “Dang! That’s good.”  So we have this brew.  The most successful is their butterscotch root beer.  Read an excellent article from the Milwaukee Journal.

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, citric acid, and sodium benzoate (a preservative)

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

120 Calories

40 mg Sodium.

32 g (11%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

It has a very rich and sweet aroma with a vanilla hint. The first sip revealed a smooth yet very sweet brew with a commercial root beer flavor.  To me, that is high in sodium or sugar. It is a plain, low-carbonated beverage with a slight syrup sensation.

Head – 1 out of 3 mugs

The head was below average with little remnant. 

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The brew has a lower carbonation level. The flavors mix well, yet I am drinking sugar mildly blended with other flavors.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

I found it hard to drink the whole bottle as it is excessively sweet, based on my preferences.

Would I recommend this at 5.5 out of 12 mugs?

It is a middle-of-the-road brew that most will enjoy and few will hate. Give it a try.

OTHER REVIEWS

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 7 out of 10

Root Beer Reviews – C

Root Beer Rundown – 89 of 100

Root Beer Blog – 5 out of 10

The Soda Jerks - A

Earp’s Sarsaparilla - #77, 8.75 out of 12

This is a Washington State brew from Orca Beverages.  The bottle depicts the representation of the gunfighter with a smoking gun drawn. He looks slightly over his left shoulder with a villain-like stare.  Does it set the tone for a serious brew?  The bottle reads “After a hard day of gun fight’n, noting beats a real sarsaparilla”. 

The company website states:

“The ultimate retro-soda and right out of the “Old West.” If you listen just close enough to the fizz of an open Earp’s Sarsaparilla, you might be able to hear the clanking of spurs, hissing of a rattlesnake, and perhaps even the sound of a stagecoach, all from a time lost to legend, and folklore.  One thing that has not been lost is the Original Earp’s Sarsaparilla. Full of bite and brass, just like in the days of the Wild West, nothing quenches a dry mouth like the rich, velvety taste of this true American Classic. To this day, Earp’s Sarsaparilla had no equal. And, you can get some for your saddle bag, shipped directly to your front door.”

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

Ingredients:

Carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, phosphoric acid, caramel color, sodium benzoate (a preservative).

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

50 mg Sodium.

42 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.25 out of 3 mugs

Immediately upon opening, there was a real earthy aroma with a hint of licorice and mint. At first, it was odd, then pleasing. The first sip found a smooth, creamy beverage with a slight mint aftertaste that lingers. It's not unpleasant, but it has a nice taste that almost has a touch of smoke if that makes sense.

Head –1 out of 3 mugs  

This is a minimal head. 

Zip – 2.75 out of 3 mugs  

This has great zip, a unique blend of spices, and a strong earthy taste. It's near perfect, yet the sodium is high and notable.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.5 out of 3 mugs  

I liked the brew, but it was a little heavy on sodium. That may be why I felt thirsty after enjoying it.

Would I recommend this at 8.75 out of 12 mugs?

The score is deceiving. The head brings this down. Based on taste only, it is ranked 7th out of 77 brews. I suggest you try it unless you do not like the earthy tones in your beverage.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 81 out of 100

Root Beer Respect – 7 of 10

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 10 out of 10

Soda Jerks - A

Steve’s Root Beer – 6 out of 10

Thirsty Dudes – 3 out of 5

5 Star Soda – 3 stars

Natural Brew - #76 reviewed, 7 out of 12

Born in the summer of 1994, the brew was specially formulated to meet consumers' need for a quality-crafted carbonated beverage. It uses old-fashioned microbrewing techniques to bring out the robust flavor of all key ingredients. It is brewed in small batches, allowing the ingredients to blend together, forming a full, rich flavor free from any artificial additives or preservatives. The root beer is supposedly made from a rich mix of vanilla, anise, sarsaparilla, licorice root, birch, and other flavors.

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

Ingredients:

Sparkling filtered water, evaporated cane juice, natural flavors, bourbon vanilla extract, anise, sarsaparilla, licorice root, birch oil, wintergreen oil, caramel color, and phosphoric acid.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories

10 mg Sodium.

43 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is minimal, and the first sip impressed me. That slowly evolved into confusion. There was vanilla, licorice, wintergreen, possibly birch, and a little honey. It was hard to place this beverage into a root beer as it was not lime-flavored Coke. There is an earthy aftertaste.

Head – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

Average head that was slow to dissipate. 

Zip – 2 out of 3 mugs

This is a rich and full beverage.  The flavors are muted with the higher carbonation. 

Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

I liked it, but I did not love it.  The more I consumed, the less intrigued I became.  It really has wonderful flavors with what appears to be a Coke base.

Would I recommend this at 7 out of 12 mugs?

If you desire a full-bodied cola, this is very good. If you want a root beer, you may not like the brew. I would certainly purchase this again, but I am very selective when I consume the brew.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 68 out of 100

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 5 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 2 of 5 barrels

Handy Father - 3 of 5

Root Beer Blog – 2 of 10

Root Beer Review.com – 7.6 of 10

Reviews for the rest of us – D

Reviews by ZP – 5 of 10

Steve’s Root Beer – 3 out of 10

Thirsty Dudes – 4 out of 5