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

Brew Lab 101 Root Beer

Feb 042026

This past fall I had a crazy travel schedule of 6 different trips in 5 weeks. It was intense and most weeks I went two different places. I was always flying out on a Sunday or even staying over the weekend. The life of DERMS amirite? So expect a few more reviews from different places. The Delaware trip was part of this. In fact, the very next week I was in Albuquerque for the first time in a few years. I only had 2 days, but I called around and found Brew Lab 101 at the recommendation of one of my customers. Brew Lab 101 has actually been there since 2019, so not sure how I missed it last time I was in Albuquerque. They are dedicated to the science of good beer and cider. So they have probably got some good math formulas and molecular equations and stuff like that. Probably. The decor is science themed. Anyways, they have a root beer so I brought my coworkers after a long day so we could relax and have a nice brew.

The Body is weak and watered down. There’s some quintessential creamy root beer flavors in there, but their hard to fully pick out. The Bite is also light and mild. Hardly any spice and or even fizz. The Head is decently tall but fizzes away quickly. The Aftertaste is weak herbal flavor that vanishes.

Huh, that, is not good. I’ll note their webpage mentions nothing about being dedicated to the science of good root beer, and it shows. This was disappointing to say the least. Nothing really unique, just weak flavors. I’d avoid this one if I were you.

The Franklin Fountain Root Beer

Old Fashioned Fountain Root Beers No Responses »

Jan 072026

Back in October I went to Delaware, before which all I could think of when I heard of Delaware was that bit from Wayne’s World “Hi, I’m in Delaware”. After visiting, I kind of agree with them. Thankfully, I flew in and out of Philadelphia, which, unlike Delaware, has loads of things for people to get excited about, like the Liberty Bell, Independence All, and other national historic sites and monuments all of which were closed, because the government was shut down. Remember that? Wasn’t it fun? Anyways, I don’t politic here I root beer and before I tried to visit any of those places I tried to find root beer. Philadelphia is the birthplace of root beer and you’d think there’d be some historic Hire’s Drug Store selling Hires or something. Well, my 10 minutes of googling didn’t happen to reveal anything about that but it did find The Franklin Fountain, designed to be exactly like a 1915 vintage ice cream parlor and soda fountain. They also make all of their in-house soda syrups so the expedition was saved and root beer could be had! They really nailed the recreation, even down to the old fashioned telephone which they rigged up to receive calls but can’t dial out.

The Body is dark and complex with an old fashioned flavor profile that’s very similar to those root beer barrel candies. There’s a bit of vanilla and a bitter wintergreen like a birch beer as well but thankfully light on the licorice. It’s very unique. The Bite is incredibly sharp and spicy with cinnamon and clove and other spices that mix well with the Body giving a very nice experience. The Head is tall but lacks any staying power, sadly. The Aftertaste is sweet spice that builds over time.

This is quite a unique soda that’s definitely a sipping root beer. I can’t say I give it a Seal of Approval but it’s definitely worth trying, especially because the fountain is so cool. They really nailed the recreation, even down to the old fashioned telephone which they rigged up to receive calls but can’t dial out. The soda jerks were very friendly as well, so if you find yourself in Franklin Square, try this unique root beer.

*The Franklin Fountain. Look at that amazing soda fountain.*

Gene’s Root Beer

Root Beer Stand Root Beers No Responses »

Dec 032025

Back in September, on my birthday, I was in Indianapolis DERMSing again. I was largely on my own with my own rental car so I knew exactly where I was going to properly celebrate: Gene’s Root Beer and Hot Dogs. A classic drive-in a little to the North East of Indianapolis. I’d known about this place for awhile but every time I was in Indy, I was always there for only a day and had a bunch of coworkers so an evening root beer run was never in the cards. But this time I finally could. They are home to the “Spanish Hot Dog” which is kind of like a chilidog. They call it Spanish seasonings, but it’s more Mexican. Their mascot picture is even wearing a sombrero. They only offer carhop service, though there are picnic tables if the weather is nice. There are many types of hot dogs and some burgers and stuff. I ordered a frosty mug of brew and a Spanish Dog with cheese and a breaded cheese burger and got to work on the important stuff, reviewing!

The Body is sweet and creamy with a classic, well balanced flavor profile. There’s a spiced Bite which is just about right. The carbonation is also good. The Head is short, by design on how they pour it, but it is frothy so they can build it if you ask and get the right server. The Aftertaste is rich vanilla goodness.

This is just what I’d expect from a place like this. Delicious, classic, creamy root beer that washes down those burgers and dogs like nothing else. I’ve had plenty that are better, but this is stuff I’d come back for again and again. I’m proud to give them my Seal of Approval. Their Spanish Hot Dog was really good too, and the breaded cheese burger? Mind blown! They bread and deepfry the patty and then put it on the bun with the rest of the fixin’s. Why have I never seen that before and why didn’t I ever think of such a thing? It’s amazing and I’m inspired. I must try that at home sometimes. All in all, this is the type of classic root beer stand that you need to try if you’re in the area.

*A Spanish Hot Dog, a breaded cheese burger, and onion rings. Super delicious. All of it.*

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