Reading Draft - #85, 4.7 out of 12

NOTE:  I would like to know if I had a bad bottle, as other reviews are high.

Reading Soda Works produces 13 soda flavors in glass bottles. They desire an authentic “old-fashioned” feel and a Pennsylvania Dutch taste. They have been making handcrafted soda since 1921 and have continued at their original location without interruption. They carbonate the soda in Grundy Tanks, which contain a carbonation stone that adds carbonation under low pressure. Besides cane sugar, some say they add Splenda.

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

Ingredients:

Triple filtered carbonated water, pure cane sugar, natural and/or artificial flavors, Carmel color, citric acid, sodium benzoate (preserves freshness)

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories

35 mg Sodium.

43 g (14 %) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

The brew has minimal aroma. After the first drink, there was an off aftertaste I could not place. The sugar level was balanced, yet my mouth was dry after the first sip. I do not like the overall taste; there must be more vanilla, caramel, or root flavor.

Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

There is a significant foamy head that dissipates quickly. 

Zip – 1.2 out of 3 mugs

This well-balanced carbonated beverage combines odd flavors, making it hard to call it a root beer. 

Post Consumption Impression – 1.0 out of 3 mugs

While I wanted this to be better, I preferred something else. It was almost over-fermented (if possible), and a bitter aftertaste was not pleasing.

Would I recommend this at 4.7 out of 12 mugs?

It is unique, and you should try the brew.  I could not finish the entire bottle, so I started cautiously.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 81 out of 100

Brad’s Brew Review – 7 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3 of 5 barrels

Reviews for the rest of us – A+

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 7 out of 10

Bedford’s - #84, 6.75 out of 12

B.R.P. Enterprises, d.b.a. Northwest Soda Works, often referred to currently as "Bedford's Sodas," was the brainchild of Ed Bedford in 1983. It took Ed a year to find a couple of investors and launch the first bottling in 1984. Steve Sourapas, then owner of the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company in the Georgetown area of Seattle, believed in marketing a premium crème soda, which Ed called Crème Beer! Crème Beer was a prevalent flavor during and following prohibition, and many small towns and larger brewers also went into the soda business when they could no longer produce beer.

Investors eventually decided to go other directions, and two-thirds of the company was sold to Unique Beverages of Everett, Washington. Unique marketed the product for about five years and decided to put it up for sale. At that time, Ed purchased the stock of Unique and became the sole owner of the brand. Ed changed all the formulas from corn syrup to pure cane sugar, producing only in glass. Working with Orca Beverage of Mukilteo Washington, the company has grown continually and added three new flavors. Today, you can find Crème Beer, Root Beer, Ginger Ale, Ginger Beer, and the latest Orange Crème offered through many grocery stores and restaurants throughout the United States.

Bedford, now semi-retired, has spent nearly 45 years in the beverage business. He enjoys his passion for soda, traveling just enough to watch the company grow again and teach his children about the industry.

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

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Caramel Color, Pure Cane Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Gum Arabic Qualia, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

40 mg Sodium.

44 g (15 %) of Daily Carbohydrates

 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2 out of 3 mugs

Before I start, this is another brew that has Quillaia. In the last few, I noted a similar strange, hard-to-place taste and thought it may be the Quillaia. 

The aroma is very vanilla with slight root beer undertones. The first sip was smooth and very strong in the caramel and vanilla flavor. This is a very unique soda. There is a cherry Dr. Pepper hint to the flavor. There was that aftertaste that I have found before in the Qualia beverages. I'm still figuring out if that is the odd taste. The aftertaste left me with a dry mouth.

Head – 1.0 out of 3 mugs  

The head was relatively small and short-lived.

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The zip is somewhat limited. While there is a unique flavor, the blend is limited to vanilla, caramel, and a slight cherry.   

Post Consumption Impression – 2 out of 3 mugs

I enjoyed the drink, but I did not like the dry mouth sensation after finishing the brew. I would not hesitate to try it again unless there was a favorite available as an alternative.

Would I recommend this at 6.75 out of 12 mugs?

This is the first time I see sugar listed as the third ingredient. The sugar and sodium content are higher than I prefer, yet that should not deter me from trying the beverage. The brew would have been a point higher without the cherry taste.

OTHER REVIEWS

Cosmo's Root Beer Review – 6 out of 10

Eric's Gourmet Root Beer – 3.5 of 5 barrels

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 8 out of 10

Steve's Root Beer – 7.5 out of 10

Handy Father – 2.75 of 5

Root Beer Review – 6 of 10

Fear No Root Beer – 3 of 5

Anthony's Root Beer Barrel – 90 out of 100

Root Beer Review – 7 of 10

Soda Pop Reviews – 6.5 of 10

Boston Tower (#83 - 3.5 out of 12)

This brew is from Boston, Massachusetts.  Prospect Hill Beverages, LLC reintroduced Tower Root Beer to the New England area using the original family recipe. Bottled initially and distributed by Prospect Hill Bottling and Soda Water Co., Tower Root Beer was first established in Somerville, MA 1914.  Dominick Cusolito, who immigrated to the United States from Salina, Italy, and settled in the Boston area, established Prospect Hill Bottling and Soda Water Co. with his brother Felix and cousin Joe. After World War II, Domenick's sons, Richard, Jack, and Paul, assumed responsibility for managing and operating the family business through the 1970s. After a 30-year absence from the market, Larry Cusolito is heading up a third generation of the family, reintroducing Tower Root Beer and other premium soft drinks to the New England region.  An interesting video about the company was supposedly shot in the 1940s.

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

Ingredients:

Pure carbonated water, 100% Cane Sugar, Natural and/or Artificial Flavor Extracts, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate (preservative)

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories

35 mg Sodium.

45 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 mg Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 0.5 out of 3 mugs

The aroma is sweet, but the taste is more of a mild sweat. Yes, it took a lot of work to enjoy the entire beverage. There were some really funky flavors I could not place and did not enjoy. I would compare it to a very sweet flat and soda.

Head – 0.5 out of 3 mugs

What head was gone as quickly as it appeared with very fine bubbles?

Zip – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

The highest score in this review was not because I liked the brew; instead, because it had such an odd flavor mix that it deserved a few extra nods.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

This could have been more enjoyable.  I have not completed a review and hoped for a smooth and flavorful beverage.  I did not find it in the Boston Tower Old Fashioned Root Beer.

Would I recommend this at 3.5 out of 12 mugs?

I would not take the time to try the brew if you desire a flavorful and satisfying brew. Other reviews found had this all over the place.  From a 0 out of 10 (called it an ashtray) to 91 out of 100.

OTHER REVIEWS

Cosmo's Root Beer Review – 6 out of 10

Soda Pop Reviews – 0 of 10

Saw-Whet Root Beer – 8 out of 10

Root Beer Reviews – C

Anthony's Root Beer Barrel – 91 out of 100

Derek Janiak – 8.8 out of 10