Sunset Sarsaparilla - #110, 7.5 out of 12 mugs

Sunset Sarsaparilla is a fictional, popular western-themed soft drink brand from the Fallout video game series, founded in 1918, featuring its mascot Festus and competing with Nuka-Cola. 

Jones Soda Co. brought the fictional Fallout video game drink to life through an official partnership with Bethesda Softworks, launching a real-world Sunset Sarsaparilla craft soda in late 2025, followed by a major club-store 12-pack rollout in spring 2026.

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor, Caramel Color, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

15 mg Sodium

41 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 Caffeine

Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beers tested or to be tested.

Aroma and Flavor – 2 out of 3 mugs

The beverage is a rich, solid sarsaparilla with a basic flavor profile. It is a sweet, smooth, root beer-style sarsaparilla made with real cane sugar. Subtle notes of caramel can be detected, although the ingredients list only mentions caramel color, indicating a straightforward flavor profile.

Head – 2 out of 3 mugs

The head is very large and frothy, yet dissipates in less than 10 seconds.

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

There is nothing substantial about the brew. A solid, basic sarsaparilla and medium carbonation.

Post Consumption Impression – 2 out of 3 mugs

This is an average brew. I typically love sarsaparilla more than basic root beer, yet this does not provide the satisfaction for me.

Would I recommend this at 7.5 out of 12 mugs (5.5 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

The ingredients are listed as natural flavors, whereas most are natural and artificial flavors.

OTHER REVIEWS

This is a limited edition release, and I did not find any reviews.

Empire Sarsaparilla #109 - 5.75 out of 12 mugs

Just a little southeast of Providence in Rhode Island lies Bristol, a charming town often mistaken for the larger, more renowned Bristol in Connecticut. From this quaint locale comes Empire Bottling Works, a humble family-run business that has been crafting regional sodas since 1930. Despite its long history, Empire remains modest in size and presence, notably lacking a website. It was a lengthy process to get this information from the quiet company.

Ingredients:

Natural Artesian Spring Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Natural and Artificial Flavor Extracts, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories

35 mg Sodium

45 g (15%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 Caffeine

Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beers tested or to be tested.

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

Enjoy a first sip of light, earthy flavors accented by a hint of anise, resting on a rich sarsaparilla base. The aroma is subtly inviting, beautifully capturing the essence of sarsaparilla.

Head – 0.5 out of 3 mugs

There was some score for effort. But there was little or no head from this brew.

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The brew lacks the punch of commercially sold high-carbonated sugary drinks. It is very simple and straightforward. It’s a lightly carbonated beverage with a smooth taste. I prefer a bit more carbonation.

Post Consumption Impression – 2 out of 3 mugs

This is a root beer to sip on! I’d enjoy it in a social setting, though not necessarily with a meal. The flavor is so captivating that it makes you crave another sip just minutes later, and the delightful sensation lingers long after I’ve finished the brew.

Would I recommend this at 5.75 out of 12 mugs (5.25 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

This is a brew I would tend to as a smooth-sipping beverage around a fire.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 87 out of 100

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3 of 5 barrels

Brigham’s Brew Root Beer - #108, 6.5 out of 12 mugs

In 1986, Wasatch Brewery was established in Park City as Utah's first and only craft brewery. It ignited the craft beer movement that has since transformed the state's brewing scene. Like many pioneering breweries, they developed a distinctive root beer. Brigham's Brew is a Utah-based, handcrafted root beer produced by the Wasatch Brewery and named in honor of Brigham Young, the first governor of the Utah Territory.

Later, Squatters craft beers joined the scene. In 2002, Wasatch and Squatters became sister breweries through the formation of the Utah Brewers Cooperative, marking a significant chapter in Utah's brewing history. Wasatch and Squatters Beers closed on May 23, 2025. The parent company, Monster Brewing, moved production out of state as part of a corporate consolidation to grow distribution and relocate production to other facilities, specifically in Colorado.

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Maltodextrin, Honey, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Vanilla Extract, Yucca Extract, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative, Citric Acid, and Phosphoric Acid.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

180 Calories

40 mg Sodium

45 g (90%) of Daily Carbohydrates

Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beers tested or to be tested.

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

It is described as a dark, herbal root beer with a light, fruity finish, notes of vanilla, and a "draught-style" foam. Opening the bottle, I get the sense of vanilla and a subtle root-like aroma. This is the first brew I have encountered with maltodextrin, and only a few others contain yucca extract. Yucca is distinctive, and enthusiasts who appreciate its flavor will recognize it here.

Head – 2 out of 3 mugs

The head is full yet dissipates quickly. 

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The carbonation is on the lower end. What earned the higher score was the unique blend of flavors. I associate that with the significant use of sweeteners.

Post Consumption Impression – 2 out of 3 mugs

Maltodextrin has a high glycemic index (185), while cane sugar has a glycemic index of around 65. To top off that sugar load, they have honey. This has one of the highest sugar contents of any brew I reviewed.

Would I recommend this at 6.5 out of 12 mugs (5 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

I appreciate the overall flavor; however, the high sugar content might deter me from choosing this brew as I age. When I was younger, it likely had less impact. Consequently, it receives a slightly lower score, though it remains a mid-tier option.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 76 out of 100

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 8 out of 10

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 4.5 of 5 barrels

Root Beer Respect – 5 of 10

Kyle’s Root Beer Galacticus - C+

Labrador All natrual Butterscotch Root Beer - #107, 6.25 out of 12 mugs

Another Rocket Fizz distributed beverage. Like other Rocket Fizz brews, they feature a prominent figure on the brew label. A majestic-looking Black Labrador on the label in this case. I once read that Rocket Fizz bottles up to 1,000 sodas. 

I have tested a few, including:

• 
  Three Stooges root beer - rated 6.75 out of 12
• Tyler the Kid Sarsaparilla - rated 6.5 out of 12
• Judge Wapner's root beer - rated 8 out of 12
• Gene Autry root beer - rated 8.5 out of 12
• Rocket Fizz root beer float - rated 4.5 of 12

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Citric Acid, Caramel Color, and Natural Flavors

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

    170 Calories

    25 mg Sodium

    43 g (14%) of Daily Carbohydrates

    0 Caffeine

Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beers tested or to be tested.

Aroma and Flavor – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The bottle reads “Flash posturized for safety”. Not sure if that impacts the taste. Labrador All Natural Root Beer has a Rooty aroma. The first sip is very sweet, with a butterscotch flavor and a wintergreen finish. I typically love root beer, yet this high level of sweetness takes away the allure for me.

Head – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The head is of medium quality and leaves a ring at the outer part of the glass long after it dissipates.

Zip – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

It is quite sweet, but not overly syrupy, soda with middle-level carbonation.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs

The soda is a solid root beer, suitable as a classic, smooth, and all-natural beverage. The level of sweetness far exceeds my preference and, therefore, a lower score. 

Would I recommend this at 6.25 out of 12 mugs (4.5 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

This is like most Rocket Fizz root beers I have tasted: very high sweetness level and minimal complexity.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 84 out of 100 

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 4 out of 10

Steve’s Root Beer – 8 out of 10

Old Keg Craft Root Beer - #106, 10.25 out of 12 mugs

Old Keg root beer dates back to 1941. The Excelsior Bottling Company in Reading, PA, bottled beer, porter, brown stout, ginger ale, seltzer, and carbonated drinks. including root beers. The company was owned by T. J. Fessler and S. G. Dunkelberger. It is unknown when Orca Beverage acquired the brew.

Orca Beverage was born out of the passion and dedication of its founder, Mike Bourgeois, in the 1980s. Craft soda’s were a hobby at first. While studying the emerging 'New Age Beverage Category' at the Albers School of Business at Seattle University, Mike saw an opportunity to create a new and exciting extension of the larger Carbonated Soft Drink category. This category included products that were alternatives to the mainstream brands, sparking a revolution in the industry.

Orca Beverage continues to seize opportunities to expand its operations. Orca Bottling slowly learned the craft of artisan soda manufacturing. Realizing they needed their own bottling facility, the company bought the equipment from a Pepsi bottling plant that had been declared a total loss in a flood. Mike and his team spent two years rebuilding the equipment from the ground up. To their credit, the companies that had turned down his contract business came to the aid with additional equipment, parts, and expertise.

From its early strategic partnerships with other beverage companies, a move that allowed it to produce iconic, old-time brands like Dad’s Root Beer, Shirley Temple, and Moxie in glass bottles. These alliances marked a significant milestone in Orca Beverage's journey of growth and diversification, and still do. 

Ingredients:

Carbonated water, cane sugar, caramel color, brewed natural and artificial flavors, honey, phosphoric acid, and sodium benzoate as a preservative.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

    170 Calories

    45 mg Sodium

    43 g (16%) of Daily Carbohydrates

    0 Caffeine

Click here for information on the rating criteria and a table of all the root beers tested or to be tested.

Aroma and Flavor – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

The Old Keg aroma is very rewarding. The root beer has a smooth, creamy texture with a rich honey and vanilla complementing the rooty sassafras core.

Head – 2.75 out of 3 mugs

The Head is medium-tall and has large and small, foamy bubbles. The head dissipated slowly, and the larger bubbles remained more than a minute after the pour.

Zip – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

The brew has a moderate level of carbonation, a slight spice, and a smooth finish. The Aftertaste is a delicious honey sassafras with hints of vanilla.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.5 out of 3 mugs

This is an outstanding brew. If the sugar level were lower, it could be one of my top five favorites. There is a slight minty aftertaste that kept me wanting another sip.

Would I recommend this at 10.25 out of 12 mugs (7.5 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

This is a brew I would not hesitate to enjoy again. It’s smooth and flavorful!

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 62 out of 100

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 4 of 5 barrels

Steve’s Root Beer – 10 out of 10