Margo's Bark

With all the T.V. shows about dogs and cute animals these days, it was only a matter of time before the root beer world got sucked into the mix.  With the purchase of Margo's Bark root beer, a portion of the proceeds go to help shelter dogs, so you can feel socially responsible while enjoying your brew.  But does it taste good enough to help these dogs find forever homes, or will they languish in the clink while their root beer goes to the dogs?

John:  Good scent, rich and spicy.  On the tongue is vanilla, cinnamon, and hint of clove.  This is a root beer with spice.  Unfortunately any complexity this root beer might otherwise have had is lost under a wash of too-sugary sweetness. The syrupy aftertaste lingers and is unpleasant.  Not awful, but I wouldn't drink it a second time.  ** Sorry, Rover.

FRED: A GOOD ROOT BEER BUT A BIT TOO SWEET AND SPICY.  **

FrosTop

What better way to ring in the holidays than with a delicious dram of FrosTop root beer!  Since 1926 these toppers have been brewing their delicious beverage.  But can they top our list?

John:  Wow, this is a strong brew.  Very strong anise.  Very strong nutmeg--moreso than other root beers.  And VERY strong clove flavor to add a little spice.  This is a bold, sweet, spicy beer!  There is nothing shy about this root beer, so I'm not shy about decorating it with our very acclaimed **** four star ranking.  Try it.

FRED:  VERY GOOD ROOT BEER. TOO STRONG FOR MY TASTE. ***

Reading Draft

Another old timer graces our blog today: Pennsylvania's Reading Draft Root Beer, all the way from 1921!  As we know from our daily research, older is not necessarily always better...  Let's find out about this.

John:  Nice nose, but rather syrupy and quite tart, with a metallic-like zing on the tastebuds, as if from sour berries or sour grape soda.  Unusual, not bad, just kinda weird.  ***

FRED:  REFRESHING MILD OLD STYLE ROOT BEER. VERY SLIGHT HINT OF LEMON FLAVOR ****

Lion Brewery

Today's brew comes to us from Northeast Pennsylvania's Lion Brewery.  Someone once told me that a lion is the king of the jungle...is he also the king of root beers?

John: Crisp, refreshing, a little watery, and with a hint of a flavor I might describe as "mapleberry."  Totally inoffensive. ***

FRED:  VERY GOOD SIMPLE THRIST QUENCHING ROOT BEER.  NOT OVERPOWERING. ****1/2

Gale's Root Beer

I've been waiting, waiting so patiently for over a year to review Gale's Root Beer.  The label's homemade look, her story about creating this root beer in honor of her dog, and the featured ingredients of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, are just so intriguing.  I hope, hope it lives up to my expectations.

John:  A sweet and delicious root beer, the strong spices of cinnamon and clove are this brew's hallmark.  I hardly taste the vanilla, and not the ginger at all, so she can leave that out of future batches.  Strong, rich stuff like thick black Moraccan coffee.  ****

FRED:  GOOD FLAVOR.  A BIT TOO SWEET.  ***

Goose Island

Today we try another craft brew from the Chicago brewing powerhouse of Goose Island. This root beer's reputation precedes it, and it's been sitting in the refrigerator for a long time--about 9 months.  Now is the time to find out what all the honking is about.

John:  Good right off the bat.  Crisp, cool, refreshing, sweet and strong.  Fizzes like a cold root beer float and the zesty vanilla sizzles on your tongue.  Good to sip or gulp down.  A top notch brew, worth seeking out.  ****

FRED: GOOD ROOT BEER. LITTLE DIFFERENT TASTES  REFRESHING AND SATISFYING.  ****

Tommyknocker

Tommyknockers were mean little elves who harrassed workers in the gold mines, according to Colorado superstition. In 1859 they got into the Root Beer business and this brew was born! These elves do things a little differently, brewing with such exotica as pure maple syrup and Tahitian vanilla extract. Can these little half-pints measure up?

JOHN: A strong nose of maple syrup is immediately apparent, which also lands on the tastebuds. A tangy, slightly fruity flavor mixes with the maple, which is not altogether pleasing. Only a hint of the Tahitian vanilla extract, but a mother lode of maple syrup aftertaste. It might taste better on Pancakes. **

FRED: DOES NOT TASTE LIKE A ROOT BEER. TOO MUCH VANILLA AND MAPLE SUGAR TASTE. *

Avery's

Well, well, well, a Connecticut Root-Beer has found its way into our court. Avery's seems to go for the "less-is-more" approach in their label. I like the label; will I like the root beer??

JOHN: Not unlike the label, there's a lot missing here. Quite watery, not sweet, just a hint of anise. The taste is pure, but elusive. Not much there, but what is there, is not objectionable. **

FRED: GOOD ROOT BEER. EASY TO DRINK. TOUCH OF ANISE. WEAK BUT REFRESHING. THE AFTERTASTE LINGERS THOUGH. **