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