Eric’s Gourmet Root Beer Blog – The blog of the gourmet root beer site.

Spinning J’s Root Beer

Old Fashioned Fountain Root Beers No Responses »

Nov 052025

Back in September I was in Chicago for work. I say Chicago but really I was in Oak Brook Terrace which is a western suburb of Chicago. You’d think what’s the difference and the main difference is if you find a place like Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain being actually in Chicago, there’s a bit more planning that goes into visiting due to Chicago’s horrendous traffic. Not helping in my quest to visit it was the fact that it’s open from 9 am to 3 pm only, which is too late for breakfast before work and too early for dinner after. Nevertheless, I was committed, since they have are an old fashioned soda fountain with a jerk and house made syrups made with spices, botanicals, and essential oils. Fortunately for me, on Friday we finished our work about 1 pm and my flight didn’t board till 5 so I had some time to drive down and give their root beer a try.

The Body is dark and complex with a solid sassafras root beer flavor accentuated with many herbs and spices such as ginger, clove, allspice, cinnamon to name a few. The licorice flavor is very light and there isn’t much wintergreen so it isn’t as dark of a flavor as you’d expect. It’s quite a unique mix yet a very familiar root beer flavor under it all. The flavors are intense and feel very fresh. The Bite is amazing. All of those fresh spices really make for one of the spiciest, boldest Bite I’ve ever had. Carbonation is on the light side, though, sadly. The Head is quite short, the biggest flaw in this soda, but it’s there when they’re making it, it just fizzes away. Much more than the old 2-Second Head, but still less that what I’d prefer. The aftertaste is an herbal clove flavor that is quite pleasant that finishes with a warm ginger burn that stays with you awhile.

Wow! That has got to be the most amazing and intense root beer Bite I’ve ever had. I love the freshness of the flavors too. I was raving about it with every drink, pointing out the ingredients I could taste. When I finished they asked if I wanted another, because I seemed to enjoy it so much, an offer I couldn’t help but take them up on. As I thought of where to rate it, the head was a little lighter then I wanted, but that warm ginger burn, several minutes after I’d finished, really Sealed the deal. If you’re ever in Chicago, this root beer is a must.

**Look at this beautiful, old-fashioned, soda fountain.**

Carl’s Drive In Homemade Root Beer

Root Beer Stand Root Beers No Responses »

Oct 012025

Last month I found myself in St. Louis, DERMSing again after a fun vacation. As it was my first time there my primary objective after work was done was finding a new root beer. Carl’s Drive-In has been in St. Louis for over 60 years, though it was in 1975 they aquired the formula for their homemade root beer. This place has atmosphere. Just two counters with a kitchen sandwiched in the middle. The staff making your food and pouring your brew. If it’s a nice day you can eat outside on some tables as well. It’s changed ownership a few times since the original Carl started it, but each time the new owner has the same committment to maintaining the classic tradition of the place. The root beer is made fresh every day, the burgers are smashed flat on the grill and spread out. This place oozes with the feeling it’s all gonna be amazing.

The Body is sweet and rich and full of vanilla with a classic flavor that’s clean and delicious. It really is just a perfect creamy root beer Body. The Bite is spicy with good carbonation fizz, giving complexity to the brew. The Head is nice and foamy, they generally try and pour it medium but it can build if you ask them. The Aftertaste is a strong creamy, spiced vanilla that lasts the perfect amount of time.

Wow! Just wow. This is hands down one of the best root beers I’ve ever had. It really blew me away. Which, after 500+, is nearly impossible. With my first sip I knew this was at least a 4.5 and as I drank more, and fully experienced all it had to offer I became more certain of it. It’s not quite perfect, nor is it quite the best, but it is clearly an Elixer of the Gods. They serve their brew from one of those old IBC Keg dispencers and claim it’s the “original IBC recipe.” I’ve drank a lot of IBC and it tastes nothing like this, so if what they say is true, IBC has changed a lot. The burgers were also top tier, some of the best I’ve ever had. I pray that work takes me back to St. Louis, soon and often.

*The amazing double cheese burger, onion rings, and root beer.*

Fuddy Duddy’s Root Beer

Bottled Root Beers No Responses »

Sep 032025

The final root beer from the batch trade with anthony. Fuddy Duddy’s is a confectionary in Owego, New York. It’s also a Soda Works. Should I call this Fuddy Duddy’s Confectionary Soda Works Root Beer? Seems really long. I’ll stick with just Fuddy Duddy’s. Fun fact, fuddy duddy is actually a slightly derogatory term (if Google is to be believed) but it means old fashioned and fussy. So, I suppose if you’re trying to make an old timey confectionary soda works and are persnickety about the quality, then fuddy duddy could be a good thing? Anyways the shades of green label with far too many fonts does give me an old timey feel.

The Body is sweet with a classic flavor. There’s a nice vanilla flavor as well. It could be a little creamier and a little fuller, but it’s quite nice. The Bite is sharp and spicy that’s almost a little too much. It doesn’t finish very smooth either. The Head, well, here it really falls short, pun intended. The classic 2-second head that I haven’t seen in awhile. What shame. The Aftertaste is a lovely vanilla that lasts the right amount of time.

This brew’s a little bit rough on Bite and quite disappointing on the Head, but still good overall. It’s refreshing and has good flavor so it’ll do in a pinch but not something to seek out. Their website shows lots of old fashioned chocolates and candies so maybe the confectionary is worth the visit, but I don’t know as I am only here for the brew. See how it rates against other root beers.

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