One of my favorite Jethro Tull songs is The Whistler, and I always start humming it to myself when I think about this root beer. Just thought I’d throw that out there. Whistler Classic Soda is a different kind of company. They wanted to bring back the days of yesteryear when the local bottling plant would have returnable bottles you’d pay a deposit on. They think less carbonation and simpler ingredient and real sugar (is beet included?) is the way to go. I like the idea of returnable glass bottles, more environmental and stuff and other than weak carbonation the premise seems promising. They actually liked my Facebook page when they were just getting started and promised to send me some …and they never did. So I had to resort to trading with a fine fellow named Tony who is a loyal fan. The bottles are thicker glass than most which makes sense if they are reusable. It’s only 8 ounces unfortunately. Other than that, there’s nothing else to say about the plain bottle other than the cool spiral grips at the bottom.
It has a light and herbal sort of Body with a decent spiced Bite containing cinnamon. It isn’t as sweet as most brews. The Head is worse than a “two-second-Head”, though this is by design. The Aftertaste is anise and cinnamon.
Interesting and unique. But, it’s not all there for me. It needs more carbonation and a stronger flavor. It reminds me of Uncle Scott’s but less complex. I can see why they didn’t want to send me a sample. See how it rates against other root beers.
Check out this cool stubby bottle. I haven’t had many root beers in little stubby bottles like this. Maybe only twice before. I was very fortunate that a storied root beer collector and fan by the name of Vince lives close to the Peace Tree Brewery in Iowa and was willing to trade with me. In addition to it’s cool stubby little bottle, it’s got a pretty neat label. With lots of shades of brown and a picture of an old school jug that almost makes the root beer seem to come from such a jug. That’s probably what they were going for, and it works. It’s also handcrafted. Because aren’t they all. I’ll give a whole 1 keg bonus to the rating of the first brand to put “Machine Crafted” or “Foot Crafted” on their label. This is also made with beet sugar rather than cane. 
Another root beer I didn’t think I’d ever try. That was because when I learned about it and emailed the company inquiring, they said that they weren’t producing it in glass anymore. But then I guess the powers that be persuaded them otherwise (being shunned by me is very convincing I’d imagine) and they brought it back. Another reviewer, 
