Reading Draft - #85, 4.7 out of 12

Reading Soda Works produces 13 soda flavors in glass bottles. They desire a true “old-fashioned” feel combined with a Pennsylvania Dutch taste. They have been producing handcrafted soda since 1921 and have continued without interruption at their original location. 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.

So, it is time for the review. (Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beer tested or to be 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 very little aroma. At the first drink, there was an off aftertaste I could not place. The sugar level is balanced, yet my mouth was dry after the first sip. I am not a fan of the overall taste; there is very little vanilla, caramel, or root flavor.

Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs  

There is a full head that dissipates quickly. 

Zip – 1.2 out of 3 mugs  

There is a sensation of odd flavors in this well balanced carbonated beverage.  It is almost hard to call a root beer.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.0 out of 3 mugs  

While I wanted this to be better, it was just not to my liking. It was almost a little over fermented (if that is possible), and there was a bitter aftertaste that was not very pleasing.

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 the idea of 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 decided to change 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 is enjoying his passion for soda, traveling just enough to watch the company grow again and teach his children about the industry.

So, it is time for the review. (Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beer tested or to be 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 rather 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.

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