Another root beer from that wonderful package sent by The Soda Pop Bros. Hollis John’s is a Canadian brew from Prince Edward Island. This was formerly JJ Stewart’s Root Beer but has now become Hollis John’s. I’d like to think that JJ Stewart lost this root beer to Mr. John after losing a high stakes bet on a Yacht Race. Or, a fishing boat race. No yachts. Go dig up an old Photo of that JJ Stuart. He’s totally the sort that would wager his root beer on a yacht race. Anyways. I’d been wanting to try it for awhile so I’m once again indebted to those fine Bros of the Soda Pop variety.
The Body is mild with licorice and wintergreen and a bit of vanilla in an otherwise generic and unnoteworthy flavor. The Bite is prickly from carbonation yet light on spice, it isn’t smooth but not overly harsh. The Head is medium height and staying power, so not really bad but not great. The Aftertaste is light wintergreen with maybe a hint of sarsaparilla.
This is fine. I mean, it doesn’t really have anything bad about it but nothing great either. It’s good in a pinch but I doubt it’s anyone’s favorite. Still, making a passable brew is not to be disparaged yet, I think I see why ol’ JJ was willing to risk it. Since he wasn’t losing anything that replaceable. See how it rates against other root beers.
