Feb 032021
 

Thunder Beast Texas Edition American Root Beer Bottle I like it when a root beer brewer makes more than one flavor. Thunder Beast has done two before, and now they’ve got a Texas Edition to add to their lineup. They’ve also added the tagline “Fight Monsters” which is related to the fact that Monster Energy is currently engaged in a trademark bullying campaign against them because Monster is in fact a known and despicable trademark bully. Seriously, I hate trademark bullies. A pox upon them! May all manner of misfortune befall all of the managers and lawyers at Monster for their crimes against root beer. Also Thunderbeast is donating a percentage of their profits to fight human trafficking and bullying, so they’re fighting monsters in another sense as well. Good on them. I don’t know why this particular brew is called Texas Edition. It says that Thunder Beast LLC is from Austin Texas when I was sure they were originally a DC company, so maybe that’s it? Their new recipe now that their HQ is in Texas? It doesn’t really say on their website. Anyhow how does it taste?

The Body has a distinct burned sugar taste, like the top of a crème brulée, which mingles with some honey and sassafras. It’s isn’t very sweet by root beer standards and there’s a fruity tinge. The Bite is harsh from the carbonation yet lacking in spice. The Head is good and tall but fizzes down quickly. The Aftertaste is that burnt sugar that ends on the fruity notes.

I really want to like this more, because I like the concept of Thunder Beast. That burned sugar is good and the root beer is unique, but it still needs a lot more to be better than just Drinkable. Oh well. See how it rates against other root beers.

Three kegs




Sep 282016
 

Thunder Beast Black Label Root Beer Bottle This the fanciest root beer that I’ve encountered so far. It comes in a wine bottle (rumored to be recycled) with a cork and a wire cage. Then it’s all wrapped in gold foil on the top. Talk about classy. This is the premium offering of the most metal root beer brewers, Thunder Beast. It makes me extremely happy to see the root beer world head in this direction, as it means that we are finally getting the respect we deserve. My lovely wife gave this to me on Valentine’s Day because what could be more romantic? Now the actual reviewing of this is problematic. Thunder Beast Black Label is a seasonal root beer, using seasonal ingredients. Which means that it could be different every time. I could probably buy several bottles over the course of several years and average them out, but that gets expensive. So I’m just going to review my gift and leave it at that with the caveat that it could be better or worse depending on when you buy it.

The Body has nice honey and maple flavors but is missing something in its core. The Bite is mild, it’s a very smooth brew. The Head is practically perfect. The Aftertaste is vanilla and maple.

I like this more than the regular Thunder Beast, but not a lot more. I really want to love this stuff since it’s so fancy, but it just doesn’t quite have all it needs in the Body and Bite departments. Add some more sassafras and some spices and then they’ll have a brew worthy of the container. As it, though, it’s still worth getting for a special occasion or to put in a gift basket. See how it rates against other root beers.

Three and a half kegs




Nov 122014
 

Thunder Beast Root Beer Bottle Prepare yourself for the most Metal root beer I’ve ever encountered. With a name that you’d expect to see for the opening band at a Slayer concert, Thunder Beast is hard core. The label is chalk full of lightning bolts, with one infernal crimson bolt breathing life into the demonic red-eyed bison though an explosion of electric fire. The fiery beast is charging towards the U.S. Capitol, unleashing his fury upon the denizens of the land. All while Abraham Lincoln approving watches from his shattered memorial with shades and a frosty mug of brew, pleased that the current incompetent law makers of this fine land are receiving their comeuppance. You want more Metal, then “Drink Thunder!” Need more, this is fire-brewed, no doubt in the very flames of Muspelheim, at a brewery that fanatically specializes in the arts of root beer.

The Body sports a maple butterscotch flavor on the initial contact which then reveals a rather light traditional root beer flavor. There’s also something else in there that’s a bit out of place. The Bite has kind of a sour acid burn but not much else. It’s not smooth either. The Head is medium-short but very foamy and it lasts as it should. The Aftertaste is light maple and butterscotch.

That is one of the most original tasting brews I’ve ever had. I really like butterscotch and maple and this the first time that I’ve ever had them paired. It could use a bit more depth in the Body and Bite department though. I like what these guys are doing over there in DC. They claim there’ll be other flavors down the line and I can’t wait. See how it rates against other root beers.

Three and a half kegs