Root Beer Review process

For the first round, I purchased 49 different root beers and then found 45 more, bringing the total to 94 bottles in the closet! Before I end, I hope to have over 100 reviews.  

I will first outline the criteria employed for critique. This will provide insight into the reasoning behind my opinions. My reviews are based on my personal perspective, and many readers may hold differing viewpoints.    

I will rate each root beer using four variables: 

1. Aroma and Flavor
2. Head
3. Zip
4. Post-Consumption Impression.  

Each variable will be scored on a scale of 0 to 3.  A “0” should be avoided, even if it is free of charge.  A “3” is top of the line.  I will total the ratings and have a final number for the review. Therefore, 12 is a root beer made in heaven, based on my preferred taste and texture.


Aroma and Flavor: Upon opening the bottle, the initial aroma sets the tone. An exceptional root beer possesses an aroma that heightens the anticipation of the first sip. Subsequently, a sensation of taste or smoothness is experienced in the mouth. Flavor is the most prevalent reference point for individuals who consume beverages or culinary delights. I favor a robust, indulgent root beer with a subtle, watery texture. This preference implies a high sugar content.


I prefer root Beer with a hint of vanilla. I can often tell immediately which are flavored with honey. I even noted that some use maple syrup.  


Head: While this factor may not be significant to me, it is of great importance to many. This is the A/W mentality that my generation grew up experiencing. It was a psychological belief that larger foam meant superior taste. Do some manufacturers actually add additives to create the head?

Additionally, the foam's taste may contribute to this score. In some instances, it can be tasteless.   



Zip: Proper spices and carbonation are essential ingredients for crafting an exceptional root beer. The smooth, spicy sensation the beverage imparts to the taste buds is particularly enjoyable. The carbonation provides a subtle tingling sensation on the tongue, creating a harmonious balance between the flavors.


Post-consumption impression: The root beer must intensify my desire for something else. My post-consumption experience should be a highlight, a lasting impression. 

The following list will be updated with scores as the reviews are completed.  

SORTED BY SCORE WITHOUT HEAD to emphasize my flavor-rated brews.

BRAND	W/O Head	Overall Incl Head	Flavor	Head	Zip	Post
Natural State Beverage Co Root Beer	8.55	9.8	2.9	1.25	2.75	2.9
Columbia Soda Works Sarsaparilla	8.4	10.6	2.8	2.2	2.7	2.9
Druthers Black Cow - HFCS is - 0.5	7.9	9.9	2.5	2	3	2.4
Wild Spur Sarsaparilla	7.9	10.4	2.75	2.5	2.4	2.75
Maine Root Sarsparilla	7.9	9.9	2.8	2	2.4	2.7
Dublin Texas	7.8	10.2	2.8	2.4	2.5	2.5
Lost Trail Sarsaparilla	7.8	10.3	2.9	2.5	2	2.9
NORKA	7.75	10.25	2.75	2.5	2.5	2.5
Earp's Sarsaparilla	7.75	8.75	2.25	1	2.75	2.75
Hippo Size	7.7	9.2	2.6	1.5	2.7	2.4
Fitz's Premium	7.6	9.35	2.5	1.75	2.5	2.6
Dachshunds III	7.5	10.3	2.5	2.8	2.5	2.5
Old Keg	7.5	10.25	2.5	2.75	2.5	2.5
Briar's Premium	7.5	9	2.5	1.5	2.5	2.5
Uncle Scotts	7.5	9.3	2.7	1.8	2	2.8
Ozark Mountain	7.3	9.3	2.4	2	2.5	2.4
Hosmer Mountain Sarsaparilla	7.2	9.7	2.6	2.5	2.2	2.4
WIld Bill’s (Northwoods Soda)	7.2	9.8	2.4	2.6	2.55	2.25
Saranac 1888	7.1	10.1	2.1	3	2.5	2.5
Black Bear Root Beer by Sprecher	7	9	2.25	2	2.25	2.5
Point Premium- HFCS is -0.5	6.9	9.4	2	2.5	2.4	2.5
Penny Frosted	6.75	7.75	2.25	1	2.25	2.25
Bulldog	6.75	9.25	2.25	2.5	2	2.5
Yacht Club	6.75	8.25	2.25	1.5	2.5	2
Jack Black's Dead Red	6.75	9	2.5	2.25	2	2.25
Towne Club	6.6	8	2.2	1.4	2.1	2.3
Fireman's Brew	6.6	8.4	2.2	1.8	2.1	2.3
Kutztown Sarsaparilla	6.6	8.1	2.2	1.5	2.2	2.2
Homer Soda Maple Syrup	6.6	8.6	2.3	2	2	2.3
Rocket Fizz Gene Autry	6.5	8.5	2	2	2	2.5
Zuberfizz Creamy Root Beer	6.5	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25
American Classics Ginseng	6.5	8	2.25	1.5	2	2.25
Dog N Suds - HFCS is - 0.5	6.5	9	2.2	2.5	1.9	2.4
Barons	6.4	7.9	2.4	1.5	1.75	2.25
Baumeister - HFCS is - 0.5	6.25	8.25	1.75	2	2.25	2.25
Saint Arnold	6.25	8.0	2.25	1.75	2	2.0
Crater Lake	6.25	7.5	2.5	1.25	1.75	2
Capone  (6 drink fast / 10 drink slow)	6.25	7.75	2	1.5	2	2.25
Henry Weinhard's- HFCS is - 0.5	6.2	8.7	2.2	2.5	2	2
Racinette (Johnnie Ryan)	6	7.5	2	1.5	2	2
Spring Grove - HFCS is - 0.5	6	8.5	2	2.5	2	2
A-Treat Sarsaparilla	6	8	2	2	2	2
Judge Wapner	6	8	2.25	2	1.75	2
Dead World Twilight Shuffler	6	7.5	2	1.5	2	2
Foxon Park Draft Style	6	7.5	2.25	1.5	1.75	2
Route 66 (Edited)	6	7	2	1	2	2
Bedford's	5.75	6.75	2	1	1.75	2
Natural Brew	5.75	7	2	1.25	2	1.75
Wehrloom Honey Root Beer	5.75	7.25	2.25	1.5	1.5	2
Blumer's	5.5	7.5	1.75	2	1.75	2
Sno Cap Root Beer (HFCS -0.5)	5.5	8	2	2.5	1.75	1.75
Sunset Sarsaparilla (Jones Soda Co.)	5.5	7.5	2	2	1.5	2
Empire Bottling Works	5.25	6	1.75	0.75	1.75	1.75
Cicero Beverage Co Salted Caramel	5.25	6.25	1.5	1	2	1.75
Caamano Bros High Noon Sarsaparilla	5.25	6.5	1.75	1.25	1.75	1.75
Empire Bottling Works Sarsaparilla	5.25	5.75	1.5	0.5	1.75	2
Naturally Crafted (US Foods)	5	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75
Tyler the Kid	5	6.75	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.75
Death Valley	5	7	1.75	2	1.5	1.75
Thomas Kemper Small Batch	5	7.8	2	2.8	1.5	1.5
Ramblin	5	7.5	1.8	2.5	1.5	1.7
Rocky Mountain	5	7	1.5	2	1.7	1.8
Dad's Old Fashioned	5	7	2	2	1	2
Red Arrow	5	6.5	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.75
Brigham’s Brew	5	7	1.5	2	1.5	2
Sprecher Rev’d Up	4.75	6.5	1.75	1.75	1.5	1.5
Harmony Springs Sarsaparilla	4.75	6.25	1.75	1.5	1.5	1.5
Mom's	4.75	5.25	1.5	0.5	1.5	1.75
Pearson Bros 1896	4.75	6.25	1.5	1.5	1.75	1.5
Fest Pecan	4.75	6.25	2	1.5	1.5	1.25
Bar Harbor Old Soaker Root Beer	4.75	7.25	1.5	2.5	1.75	1.5
Filberts Old Time (HFCS is - 0.5)	4.6	7	1.5	2.4	1.4	1.7
Labrador Butterscotch Root Beer	4.5	6.25	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.75
Masons	4.5	6.25	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.75
Crim City Soda	4.5	6.5	1.5	2	1.5	1.5
Chicago Draft Style (Cold Mountain)	4.5	5.75	1.5	1.25	1.5	1.5
Dead World Slow Decay	4.5	6	1.25	1.5	2	1.25
Dang	4.5	5.5	1.5	1	1.5	1.5
Joe's	4.25	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.25	1.5
The Pop Shop	4.25	5.75	1.5	1.5	1.25	1.5
Three Stooges Wise Guy	4.25	6.75	1.5	2.5	1.5	1.25
Apple Valley Mountain Village	4.25	6.25	1.5	2	1.25	1.5
Rugged Mountain	4.25	5.25	1.25	1	1.5	1.5
Gale's	4.25	5.75	1	1.5	1.75	1.5
Red Ribbon Home Brewed	4.25	6.25	1.5	2	1.5	1.25
Freaky Dog	4	5	1	1	1.5	1.5
Dorothy's Isle of Pines - HFCS is - 0.5	4	5	1.5	1	1	1.5
Sparky's	4	5	1	1	2	1
Mom & Pop Chocolate Root Beer	4	6.25	1.25	2.25	1.5	1.25
Stubborn Classic	4	4.5	1.5	0.5	1.25	1.25
Oogave	4	5	1.25	1	1.25	1.5
Root Jack Orange (HFCS is - 0.5)	4	6	1.25	2	1.5	1.25
Tree Fort	4	5.75	1.5	1.75	1.25	1.25
Grown Up Soda (GUS)	3.75	6.25	1.25	2.5	1.25	1.25
Myers Avenue Red (HFCS is - 0.5)	3.5	5.75	1.25	2.25	1.25	1
Big Ben's	3.5	4	1.5	0.5	1	1
Dr. Browns	3.5	4.5	1	1	1.5	1
Golden Maple	3.3	3.8	1.3	0.5	1	1
Bawls	3.25	5.5	1.25	2.25	1	1
Rocket Fizz Root Beer Float	3.25	4.5	1	1.25	1	1.25
Reading Draft	3.2	4.7	1	1.5	1.2	1
Frostie Vanilla	3	3	1	0	1	1
Boston Tower	3	3.5	0.5	0.5	1.25	1.25
Boots Sarsaparilla	3	4	1	1	1	1
Serenity Brothers Root Beer/Vanilla	2.5	2.5	1	0	1	0.5
Sky Valley Organic	2.25	3.25	1	1	0.5	0.75
Cool Mountain	2.25	2.75	0.75	0.5	1	0.5
Always Ask for Avery's - HFCS is - 0.5	2	2	1	0	0	1
Sassy Lil Lass	0.5	1.5	0	1	0.5	0