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

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.

Ocean City Boardwalk Root Beer

Bottled Root Beers 1 Response »

Aug 062025

I’ve never been to Jersey Shore. I never watched the show either. I think I know two of the characters. There was, like Snookie and The Situation? and partying and debauchery, I think? Yeah, well what does that have anything to do with this root beer? It’s made by the Jersey Shore Soda Company, which was likely not featured on said show. Ocean City is on the Jersey Shore and that’s where soda company is headquartered so that’s why it isn’t Jersey Shore Root Beer or something. The label has a ton going on, a big amusement park pier thing with every sign a different take on the name. There’s “Jersey & Shore”, “Jersey’s Shore Soda”, “Soda Land Pier”, and more. I have no idea if any of these are real signs/places or if they’re just trying to get the vibe of the Shore but since I’ve never been there I have no clue. Anyways, such places need their own root beer. I got this in a trade from Jersey’s own root beer expert, anthony himself. I assume he’s been there so he could comment if my musings are even remotely correct.

The Body is sweet yet mild. There’s vanilla on an otherwise generic root beer flavor with a fruity hint. The Bite is sharp and spiced with good fizz to it. The Head is medium but fizzes down too quickly. The Aftertaste is a faint, sweet, sassafras.

This brew is, fine. Nothing fancy or special at all but isn’t bad at all so if you’re on the party pier and eating some hot dogs and stuff, it’ll be sufficient to keep your day pleasant. See how it rates against other root beers.

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