Death Valley Root Beer is brewed by Indian Wells Brewing Company, headquartered in Inyokern, California, and owned by Master Brewer Rick Lovett. The company and its location have been in the same family for three generations, and the historic Indian Wells Spring holds a rich history.
Initially established as a U.S. Army Cavalry outpost in the 1860s, the site later served as a freight and stagecoach station until the turn of the 20th century. From 1900 to 1920, it served as a healing water resort, a base for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Women’s Voluntary Service (WWSS) in the 1930s, and a doctor’s office in the 1950s. In 1960, it became a restaurant called Indian Wells Lodge.
The Indian Wells Lodge Restaurant has gradually expanded from its modest 1,000-square-foot building to its current 6,500-square-foot location. In 1995, Indian Wells Brewing Co. was established within one of the restaurant’s rooms. By 1997, the company’s beverages had gained popularity, necessitating expansion into the 10,000-square-foot building.
All sodas produced by Indian Wells are crafted using pure artisan spring water sourced from the historic Indian Wells Spring (California Historical Marker #457). The brewery takes pride in stating that the artisanal spring water imparts a clean, pure taste to their sodas. An artisan spring is characterized by water that naturally flows and bubbles to the surface. The company has access to a spring originating in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Geologists posit that melted water from Mount Whitney snowpacks flows through an underground river and emerges at Indian Wells Spring. At Indian Wells Brewing, the water is captured below the surface and, due to its altitude, is gravity-fed to the brewery. No man-made power is used to transport the water.
The beverage exudes a medicinal aroma, characterized by a prominent licorice scent and a subtle hint of wintergreen. Upon initial consumption, the licorice flavor intensified. A distinct, earthy aftertaste remains, which I am unable to identify. Despite the ingredient listing “Real Vanilla,” I detected minimal or no vanilla flavor.
In contrast, the flavors are straightforward, and the medium carbonation made it difficult to rate this category. It possesses a complex yet simple nature. Consequently, I am inclined to assign a rating of 1.5.
This beverage presents an intriguing and enjoyable experience. Its flavor profile is reminiscent of traditional root beer candy, with a peculiar, slightly bitter aftertaste. This duality of taste, encompassing both positive and negative aspects, adds to its unique appeal.
This beverage presents a paradoxical experience. While the initial sip is enjoyable, the subsequent aftertaste is unpleasant. I recommend sampling a single bottle before committing to a six-pack purchase.
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