Apple Valley Mountain Village - #104, 6.25 out of 12 mugs

Apple Valley Mountain Village in Townsend, Tennessee, is a popular destination near the Smoky Mountains. It is known for its café, ice cream, and general store, which offers a craft root beer called Apple Valley Mountain Village root beer.

Reading Soda Works in Reading, Pennsylvania, produces this brew. The soda is a specialty flavor from Reading Soda Works, a company based in Reading, Pennsylvania, that has been making small-batch, old-fashioned sodas with pure cane sugar since 1921. 

The company makes Reading Draft root beer, which scored 4.7 out of 12 in my review. Yet I suspected I had an old bottle that had gone bad. I have a note to retest at some point in the future.

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Sugar, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative, Citric Acid, Yucca and Quillaia Extracts, natural and Artificial Flavors, and Gum Acacia

This is the fifth of 104 brews that list Yucca Extract as an ingredient. Yucca is said to add a smooth, creamy flavor. It also lists Quillaia. This is the sixth of 103 brews tested that contain that ingredient. Research states this serves as a foaming agent.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

170 Calories

30 mg Sodium

43 g (?%) 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

Upon opening the bottle, there is a slight mint aroma. It has a faint aftertaste and a slightly dry finish. The flavor is basic, with a hint of caramel, but it lacks any root-like taste.

Head – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

The head is large and dissipated slowly. It has both large and small bubbles.

Zip – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

The brew is straightforward. It doesn't have anything to catch your eye, but there's nothing to keep you from finishing the bottle—a very simple blend with moderate carbonation.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

This is a brew that would be at the bottom of my list, and I might even choose another cola over this one. It's not bad, but it's nothing that makes you remember the aroma or the sensation of drinking a high-quality brew.

Would I recommend this at 6.25 out of 12 mugs (4.25 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

This is one you should try. For me, it was worth a shot, but it wouldn't be on my go-to list.

OTHER REVIEWS

No reviews found.

A-Treat Sarsparilla - #103, 8 out of 12 mugs

A-Treat Beverage Company was founded by James J. Munjone in the family home on the 600 block of Front Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Later, he built a small manufacturing facility behind the house. Upon James's death, ownership was transferred to his sister, Vincenza Munjone, who was married to Gioacchino Egizio. The Egizio family assumed ownership of the business from the Munjones. 

The Egizio brothers moved their business to Union Boulevard in East Allentown, where it still operates. Joseph C. Egizio served as the chairman of the board for A-Treat Bottling Co. until his retirement in 1989. He passed away in 2000 at age 96. John L. Egizio, who began working at the company at age 13 by delivering sodas on his bicycle, served as vice president and co-owner until he died in 1990.

In 1991, the company received regional news coverage after a smear campaign was launched against A-Treat while it was trying to sell its sodas in New York City. The campaign, which targeted African Americans, claimed that certain brands of carbonated beverages, including those made by A-Treat, were actually produced by the Ku Klux Klan and contained stimulants that would "sterilize the black man". 
On July 21, 2015, it was announced that the Jaindl Companies had acquired the A-Treat brand, including its name, trademarks, formulas, and related intellectual property. A co-packing agreement was established with The Coca-Cola Company to keep production in the Lehigh Valley, with plans to resume production in August 2015. 

A poll was held on July 27, 2015, to determine which flavors A-Treat would release to store shelves. In an unexpected twist, Orange Cream won with 17% of the votes, and it was later revealed that the poll had been manipulated by one individual using multiple Google Chrome logins to cast over 10,000 votes. Black Cherry finished second with 8% of the votes, and production of these two flavors began immediately, alongside the eight flavors previously announced: Birch Beer, Cream, Big Blue, Ginger Ale, Sarsaparilla, Orange, Root Beer, Grapefruit, and Diet Cream. A-Treat Grapefruit, another flavor with a loyal following, was the first soda to roll off the line when A-Treat returned in 2015.

Ingredients

Filtered Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Caramel Color, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative, Natural Flavors, and Citric Acid.

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

160 Calories

25 mg Sodium

42 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 – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

The immediate sensation is a syrupy root. The sweetness exceeds my preferred level. The brew aligns more closely with most commercial root beers, with a stronger vanilla note. Nothing special so far, but nothing that makes it a low-rated beverage.

Head – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

The head is significant but disperses in less than 10 seconds. Once dissolved, there are no remnants of any head at all.

Zip – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

There is a mix of vanilla and root flavors, but the sweetness is honey-like. Nothing is enticing about the brew. It is overly sweet and has a basic zip, in my opinion.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

This is an average brew that is best enjoyed with a meal rather than on its own.

Would I recommend this at 8 out of 12 mugs (6 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

There are many other options I would choose over this beverage, but if you prefer a sweeter drink, this might be more enjoyable for you than my experience.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 86 out of 100

Natural State Beverage Co Root Beer - #102, 9.8 out of 12 mugs

Krista and Ty Cloud started a beverage business with a passion for brewing kombucha and craft soda at home. They love the outdoors and were hosting a grassroots biking event when they realized that their homemade drinks were very popular and could be more than just a hobby. 

Wanting a low-sugar but tasty drink for their kids, they started experimenting with flavors and sharing them with friends in their home kitchen. They soon realized this unique drink should be shared with the community. They launched their first products in fall 2021 at the Bentonville Farmers Market and other local breweries and shops. A year later, they moved into their own production facility in the heart of historic downtown Rogers, Arkansas. 

From raw ingredients to packaging and distribution, the owners oversee every step. Each flavor is carefully crafted with real ingredients, aiming to become your new favorite local craft soda and/or kombucha. They also brew tea and make simple syrups.

Ingredients

Carbonated Water, Cane Sugar, Brown Sugar, Molasses, Wild Cherry Bark, Dried Licorice Root, Cinnamon, Ginger, Dandelion Root, Cloves, and Botanical Extracts (Vanilla and Sassafras Sarsaparilla)

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 

140 Calories

5 mg Sodium

36 g (13%) of Daily Carbohydrates

No Caffeine

Iron (0.5 mg)

Calcium (40 mg)

Potassium (110 mg)

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

Aroma and Flavor – 2.9 out of 3 mugs

Upon opening, the cinnamon, cloves, and licorice are noted. A very distinctive taste. The color is pale, almost like a cream soda. The flavor blends could be overpowering, but they created a VERY smooth and enjoyable beverage!

Head – 1.25 out of 3 mugs

The head is almost non-existent. I have found the head is typically created by a manufactured ingredient. 

Zip – 2.75 out of 3 mugs

The mix of flavors is tantalizing from the first taste. The carbonation is low, yet the combination gives a sense of higher carbonation. I never envisioned that a hint of cloves would create a memorable taste in a root beer.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.9 out of 3 mugs

This is a first for me. I have never found a soda that doesn’t contain preservatives or Natural and Artificial Flavors. Check out the ingredients! I’ve never seen Iron, Potassium, or Calcium on a nutrition facts label for a root beer before!

Would I recommend this at 9.8 out of 12 mugs (8.55 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

This was highly enjoyable. It reminds me of the root beer I had from homebrew farms near my grandparents, rather than a commercial brew. The ingredients are the highest quality mix of natural ingredients I have ever experienced. My highest-rated root beer to date, excluding the head.

OTHER REVIEWS

No other review found

Sno Cap - #101, 8 out of 12 mugs

Titletown Brewing Company, a Green Bay, Wisconsin Craft Brewery, was founded in 1996 by a group of beer-loving locals. They prepared the old-fashioned root beer right here using Grandma Gladys' original recipe. Her business, called Sno-Cap Drive In, was located on Velp Avenue on Green Bay's West Side. Glasses of root beer sold for 5 and 10 cents, and gallon jugs could be purchased for 75 cents (with a 10-cent deposit on the bottle). The drive-in closed in 1984.

The founders of Titletown Brewing Co. are the grandchildren of Grandma Gladys. The Sno-Cap root beer served in the restaurant is mixed up fresh daily with the same syrup (along with some special ingredients). It is sold by the mug, by the growler (a 1/2-gallon jug), or by the bottle.

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Granulated Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Corn Syrup, Gum Arabic, Propylene Glycol, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, and Yucca Extract.

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

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

148 Calories

15 mg Sodium.

40 g (12%) of Daily Carbohydrates

0 Caffeine

Aroma and Flavor – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

This aroma is a heavy vanilla scent. It is smooth with a solid cream flavor. Vanilla is the most prominent flavor, with notable caramel notes.

Head – 2.5 out of 3 mugs  

 

The head is substantial, with fine bubbles that slowly disappear.

 

Zip – 1.75 out of 3 mugs  

The brew is not a tantalizing mix of spices.  There is a basic root beer with strong vanilla and caramel notes. The carbonation is on the lower side. The syrup is easily identifiable.

Post Consumption Impression – 1.75 out of 3 mugs (0.5 deducted)

I deducted 0.5 for the high fructose corn syrup. What is odd is that the label lists Corn Syrup and High Fructose Corn Syrup!  At best for me, this is a solid middle-of-the-pack brew.

Would I recommend this at 8 out of 12 mugs (5.5 out of 9 mugs without a head)?

This is a beverage I would only enjoy with a meal. Standalone, I would pass unless it was the only option. The sweetness and caramel are above my threshold of enjoyment. I prefer a little more carbonation as well.

 

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 82 out of 100

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3.5 of 5 barrels 

Root Beer Rundown - 87 out of 100

Steve’s Root Beer – 8 out of 10 

Thirsty Dudes – 3 out of 5 

Black Bear Root Beer - #100, 7 out of 12 mugs

This is another brew by Sprecher Brewing Company. Black Bear is a root beer brand that was acquired by Sprecher Brewery in 2021. Sprecher now produces Black Bear Root Beer using its signature fire-brewing process, which involves using real Wisconsin honey and natural ingredients to create a rich flavor. The brand is presented with a "legend" of a black bear and is available alongside other Sprecher sodas. 

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Glucose Syrup, Natural and Artificial Flavors,  Caramel Color, Gum Arabic, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative, Phosphoric Acid, Yucca Extract, and Propylene Glycol Alginate

Glucose Syrup, an ingredient I had never encountered before, is made from potatoes, wheat, barley, rice, and cassava.  Industrial fermentation uses glucose syrup containing over 90% glucose, while confectionery syrups vary in their glucose, maltose, and oligosaccharide content, typically ranging from 10% to 43%.  Its primary uses in food include sweetening, softening texture, and adding volume.

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

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

 

140 Calories

30 mg Sodium.

35 g (13%) of Daily Carbohydrates

Aroma and Flavor – 2.25 out of 3 mugs

Upon opening, a rich aroma of root, vanilla, and sweetness fills the air. This delightful blend of ingredients evokes the taste of a low-carbonated Sprecher Root Beer. However, there’s a subtle hint of wintergreen and a touch of licorice that distinguishes it from Sprecher. It was enjoyable, yet for my preference a little low on carbonation.

Head – 2.0 out of 3 mugs  

 

The head is small yet dissipated slowly.  Remnants around the ice cubes remained after a few minutes.

 

Zip – 2.25 out of 3 mugs  

There is no significant zip, yet a tantalizing blend of ingredients yields a higher score.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.5 out of 3 mugs  

I enjoyed the brew.  Yet it is not ranked the highest; it is one I would enjoy anytime.

Would I recommend this at 7.0 out of 12 mugs (5 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

This brew can be enjoyed on its own or with a meal. The low carbonation and type of sweetness blend into a smooth beverage.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 50 out of 100  

Cosmo’s Root Beer Review – 7 out of 10 

Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer – 3 of 5 barrels 

Soda Jerk