Old Dominion Brewing Company – Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer Blog

Chowning’s Tavern Root Beer

Jun 242015

Chowning's Tavern Root Beer Bottle I know what you’re thinking. “Eric, Chowning’s Tavern is just Dominion Root Beer with a different label.” Yes, this is true. This is just a relabled Dominion. However, way back in 1998 when I tried Dominion root beer it had significantly different ingredients. And in between then and now, they had changed their recipe as well. So this is the third iteration of Dominion and Chowning’s Tavern Root Beer where they’ve kept their name the same. It really bugs me when companies doe that since I don’t like going back and changing reviews. Therefore I’m just filing this under Chowning’s Tavern. It’s a stretch by my standards, I know, but it’s a new root beer with a “new” name. This is only served in Colonial Williamsburg Taverns. I’m not sure if the strange colonial looking man on the label is mister Chowning but he looks like a Chowning.

The Body is nice with a prominent sassafras flavor accented by honey and spice. It’s quite a standard root beer flavor, but executed superbly. The Bite is spicy and solid but it ends smooth. The Head is tall and lasts throughout the entire drinking experience. The Aftertaste is also very nice; vanilla with a hint of wintergreen.

This hits the spot. It’s not as good as the original Dominion Root Beer of yore, but it’s definitely a delicious well balanced brew in every department. I’d drink this again and again, if it were available around here. See how it rates against other root beers.

Dominion Root Beer

Bottled Root Beers 2 Responses »

Jun 032015

Dominion Root Beer Bottle The third root beer from the mini mart across the street from Safeco Field in 1998 that doesn’t actually exist anymore sadly. This was made by the Old Dominion Brewing Company, before it was bought and its original location was torn down. So it’s from the old Old Dominion Brewing Company. This is made with Virginia honey which must be better than regular honey or they wouldn’t make such a point about it. I love a root beer with honey. Sadly the label doesn’t give me much to go on about. It’s got some lines going out like a fan, and it’s got its name. No conundrums or cliches or ridiculousness. Just plain classy gourmet root beer. No real special story about how I found it either, you’ve heard that before. So I guess on to the review I wrote 17 years ago.

Very nice Body. Head is good but it could use more. The Bite is nice but not too much and the Aftertaste is pleasant.

Alright, I’ll admit I needed to write more back then. It’s a shame I didn’t but I’ll tell you this is a solid and delicious root beer. You know those honey brews always do it for me. Especially when they’ve got maltodextrin in them. It makes them feel so good in your mouth. At the time I originally reviewed it, it was the first solid four kegs I’d ever given. See how it rates against other root beers.