GourmetRootBeer

Margo’s Bark Root Beer

 Bottled Root Beers  No Responses »
Jul 252012
 

Another one for the dogs it seems. But this isn’t just any dog themed root beer. No, they’ve named their company after their dog Margo (and her bark), and all of the profits from this root beer go to shelter dogs. Who couldn’t like that, unless you don’t like dogs. You know, those people who growing up didn’t have a dog, and the neighbors’ dogs were mean and scared them when they were small and other dogs chased them until their dads taught them that the best way to escape a chasing dog is to charge it as if they had a rock or a stick because they’re bigger than the dogs and the dogs smell fear. So they’ve pretty much had a fight or flight relationship with these animals their entire lives and they have this complex because society tells them that they should be nice to dogs but their personal experience leads them to believe otherwise … I’m sure you know tons of people like this right, there are loads of them. Well anyways, those people might be a bit ambivalent towards the theme here but everyone else would like it and not judge those others because they don’t know what it’s like to be chased by big mean dogs on a daily basis.

This has a rich and complex Body. There is a strong molasses flavor complemented by wintergreen, vanilla, and spices. It has a smooth and creamy texture. The Bite is pretty mild despite the trademarked tagline “Drink a bite!” on the bottle. It is there, some clove and cassia spicing things a bit. The Head is medium height and froth, sufficient but nothing special. The Aftertaste is the best part of this in my opinion. The molasses flavor is presented but much more toned down allowing the spiced vanilla and wintergreen to stand out with vanilla the final flavor left on the palate.

So, it’s close. At first I didn’t like it much but the more I drank the more it grew on me. I’m not a big fan of these stout type brews, but this is also pretty creamy. I found that when I just took little sips I enjoyed it the most. I ultimately couldn’t give it the Seal. I should be able to quaff a Seal of Approval brew and still love it, which I can’t do with this. If you like the darker flavored root beers though, this is one for you. See how it rates against other root beers.




Vermont Sweetwater Rugged Mountain Root Beer

 Bottled Root Beers  2 Responses »
Jul 182012
 

So awhile ago, when I reviewed Bundaberg Root Beer, I quipped that it didn’t taste enough like root beer to merit a higher rating, even though I didn’t think it was tasted bad as far as a soda goes. The fine anthony responded that he would probably rate a root beer that had a flavor he enjoyed high, even if it were a lime soda with a root beer label slapped on it. Well, being the joker that I am, I decided that the next time I sent him some root beers to review, I’d include my own “special” root beer. I bought a Stewart’s Key Lime, removed the label, scratched the paint off of the cap, and added my own label. It was “Eric’s Not-so-Gourmet Root Beer.” The label was made in the post office using a discarded receipt. In addition to the a new Seal of Disapproval, I added the standard marketing stuff, “The Original” “No Anthrax” and made sure that it was made with “totally legit root beer extract” We both shared a good laugh and it made for a funny review. So what does that have to do with Vermont Sweetwater Rugged Mountain Root Beer you ask? Well, when I poured it out, it was almost clear, a light golden color.

The Body is sweet and light and really tastes nothing like root beer. There is a crisp cane sugar flavor, some ginger and a little creamy vanilla. The Bite is also very light with a little prickle from the ginger and carbonation. The Head is tall but fizzes away very quickly. The Aftertaste is ginger and vanilla.

So it doesn’t taste like root beer at all. It tastes like … ginger ale! I do know what ginger ale tastes like. I drink it whenever I fly, and only when I fly (another story for another time) and I have Premier Gold status on United (I fly a lot). It also looks like ginger ale. They use only natural flavorings and no artificial colorings, so if they used proper root beer ingredients it should at least be brownish (licorice, molasses, brown sugar, sassafras root, etc. are all dark). What the heck? It’s like these guys did exactly what I did, except with ginger ale, and with an actual product that they advertise and sell. Don’t ask me why. Maybe they’re just trolling the root beer community. Maybe it started as an inside joke that spiraled out of control. Maybe their “refreshing taste like Grandpa used to make” is because their grandpa was trolling them, telling them that they were getting root beer when he was making ginger ale. Maybe little Timmy was deathly allergic to sassafras but wanted to drink root beer like the other kids so grandpa made him a “special root beer” recipe. I mean ginger is a root, and ale is a type of beer, but ultimately a root beer ginger ale is not. Whatever the reason for this deception, I am not amused! See how it rates against other root beers.




Simpson Spring Root Beer

 Bottled Root Beers  No Responses »
Jul 112012
 

Simpson Spring is evidently the “Oldest Bottling Plant in the USA” They use water from … Simpson Spring. The spring was originally the primary water source of the Assowompset Indians, a tribe of such notoriety that there isn’t even a Wikipedia article on them, which is sad, because they sound like an amazing tribe. So the waters of this spring, which are naturally bubbling, are now used make a line of sodas. You can also buy the just the bubbly water if you want. I kind of like the label, not too busy with some nice gold on it. But, why does it say there is only 10 FL OZ when this bottle seems the exact same size as all of the 12 OZ bottles I drink, and it seems just as full. I would imagine the loss of 2 OZ would be more noticeable. It may be they’re just using old labels on new bottles or something, so I guess I should be happy that I’m getting unadvertised bonus root beer. Promise less, deliver more. Nothing wrong with that.

The Body on this seems a little watered down sadly. There is a nice minty vanilla flavor on the initial contact but then the core is rather weak. The Bite is a tad sharper than I prefer. The Head is exceedingly tall and moderately frothy. As it fizzes down it forms larger bubbles to a point which gives a rather odd head of about an inch or so with bubbles about a centimeter in diameter. The Aftertaste is vanilla and wintergreen with a slight bitter hint that increases the more you drink so by the end I can hardly stand it.

So really this isn’t bad if it weren’t for the increasingly bitter Aftertaste. I blame the spring water itself. There’s probably some natural occurring minerals or something that cause it, but that’s no excuse. It ruins the whole experience. Though, if you were used to drinking this water, then this probably wouldn’t be as noticeable, but it still needs a fuller flavor. See how it rates against other root beers.




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