Wehrloom Honey Root Beer - #105, 7.25 out of 12 mugs

Aron and Jessica Wehr, a husband-and-wife team, moved from Pennsylvania to Robbinsville in 2010 with their two daughters. During their first Christmas in North Carolina, Jessica asked for beehives as a gift. Aron bought them, expecting it to be a hobby, but it quickly became an obsession. As their honey sales increased, the Wehrs decided to start their company in 2013, naming it Wehrloom Honey. With a USDA loan, they purchased more hives and equipment to become genuine bee farmers.

They drove to farmers’ markets to sell their raw honey, becoming busy like worker bees. By 2015, they were on the road so often that they decided to open their own store. What started with two beehives has grown into hundreds of colonies and over 30 million bees. The hives are spread throughout Graham County, with about 30 on the hill behind the Wehrs’ farm store. During summer, wildflowers cover the mountains, and bees swarm the boxes as they fill them with honey.

Bees gather nectar from flowers and trees, storing it in their stomachs. When full, they return to the hive, where they build hexagonal wax cells in frames. Worker bees transfer the nectar to other bees, who deposit it into the honeycomb and fan it until most of the liquid evaporates. Beeswax seals the cells, keeping the honey clean for beekeepers like Aron and Jessica to harvest. (Bees also eat the honey.)

Honey varies in color and flavor depending on the bloom. While plain honey is tasty, the Wehrs make honey root beer and unique honey flavors, such as cinnamon, vanilla, chamomile, and hot peppers. They also harvest hive wax to produce candles and soap.

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Organic Sugar, Natural, Raw Honey, Caramel Color, and Natural Flavorings

Nutrition 12 oz. serving (from the bottle)

144 Calories

45 mg Sodium

39 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 – 2.75 out of 3 mugs

The first aroma is that of a rooty beverage. The honey is a key part of the flavor profile, creating a pleasant blend of root beer and honey. I believe there are hints of vanilla, licorice, and ginger, although they are not listed as ingredients. I can only assume they are natural flavors.

Head – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

The head was average and disappeared quickly.  There was no taste in the head.

Zip – 1.5 out of 3 mugs

It has lower to middle carbonation and is smooth to drink. There is nothing particularly unique, except for the honey. However, sugar is still listed before honey in the ingredients.

Post Consumption Impression – 2.0 out of 3 mugs

The brew has a notable honey flavor, and the sweetness is not overpowering. Some may find this less complex than other root beers.

Would I recommend this at 7.25 out of 12 mugs (5.75 out of 9 mugs without the head)?

This is a well-balanced brew that is worth trying. It is not one of my highest-rated beers, yet I would not hesitate to enjoy it again.

OTHER REVIEWS

Anthony’s Root Beer Barrel – 85 out of 100