So my wonderful CFH friend (named Eric as well by the way) who found me the Joe’s discovered this brew for me on tap from a keg at a brewery/taphouse he often visits in Seattle called Naked City. It’s made by the Ellersick Brewing Company and isn’t bottled. I don’t usually go to Seattle any more but I told him the next time I was over there we’d have to try. I did finally make over on Thursday for a symposium at the University of Washington where I presented some wonderful electric vehicle research I’d done as well as performed some experiments on the company LEAF. After such a triumph, the only thing that could make it better would be to try a new root beer. I was running late when I got to the bar. I quickly ordered a glass, no ice, and poured to build the Head. The bar tender thought it was oddly specific until I explained who I was and what I was doing. To which she replied, “Ok, I still need your ID if you plan to sit at my bar.”
Despite my instructions, she didn’t build a very nice Head for me to evaluate, in part because she used a wet glass. However, my friend, who’d been there for about 10 minutes eating fries and sipping his own, vouched for the size of the Head on his. Mine was still very frothy though so I imagine it would be tall if done properly. The Body is very creamy, though not from vanilla, but it just feels creamy. It’s very sweet and tastes like a root beer barrel candy. Then comes the Bite, so much clove! Wintergreen too! Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever had a root beer with this much clove in it. There’s some other spice too, some cinnamon maybe. The net result is quite a Bite. The Aftertaste is sort of waxy wintergreen with hints of clove. The waxiness coats your mouth for quite a long time after drinking the brew.
Well, it’s decent, and very unique. Can’t say that I’d order it just to drink by itself, especially with that waxy Aftertaste, but the strong clove and wintergreen flavor would mix well with certain foods, and since they serve them there, it’s worth getting with your meal.
Where can I big Big E root beer in Pierce County (Puyallup, perhaps)? My buddy had it at Serious Pie but I am hoping to not have to drive to Seattle to try it.
~paul
I don’t know where you can get it in Puyallup, but I know that Powerhouse Brewery is in Puyallup and they have a Root Beer. I haven’t made it down there yet, sadly so I can’t vouch for it.
Big E’s is located in Lynnwood, WA; maybe they could tell you where it’s sold in your area. It’s not available in bottles (so they told me in July 2013). I had Big E’s at Serious Pie and then decided to visit the brewery, where it’s on tap.
You could also try the Root Beer Store, which I understand is opening a new location in Puyallup. When I visited them in Lynnwood, they were talking about selling Big E’s in growlers.
Ron, I’m so sorry but for some reason this comment was filtered into spam. My sincerest apologies. Thanks for the help.