Feb 022022
 

A root beer from last summer’s Ely road trip adventure. It was actually a serendipitous find as I had to stop unexpectedly in Beaver Bay and there I noticed an ice cream shop so I decided to check it out and low and behold, there was this root beer in a cooler. I’d never heard of it before which is crazy that there would be a bottled root beer hidden in my own state and hidden from the root beer community at large. The label said Ely Soda Works, a division of Basswood Trading Co. So, my last day in Ely, I dropped by Basswood to find out more. They said it’s a unique recipe soda line that is bottled for them in Michigan. Searching the web reveals at one time they also had a butterscotch root beer but that’s no longer made, sadly. The label is interesting. There’s a moose and a deer looking at the northern lights while wearing flannel pajamas. I mean, I guess that’s northern Minnesota for you. I’ve only visited but seems appropriate.

The Body is sweet with some vanilla and spice and a typical creamy root beer flavor. Albeit it does feel a little hollow. The Bite is okay from said spice, but doesn’t really have a smooth finish but it isn’t harsh. The Head is tall, but not too tall, with large bubbles. The Aftertaste is a little minty, but then gone.

So this is pretty decent, but a little hollow. I like it well enough to drink it with some food up in Ely if I were at a restaurant or something but not really Seal stuff. Really the only reason to seek it out is if you’re a collector like myself. Especially since it’s distribution is very limited. Still very cool that the small town of Ely, home to Dorthy’s Isle of Pines Root Beer also has this. See how it rates against other root beers.

Three and a half kegs
Jan 052022
 
Hollis John's Root Beer Bottle

Another root beer from that wonderful package sent by The Soda Pop Bros. Hollis John’s is a Canadian brew from Prince Edward Island. This was formerly JJ Stewart’s Root Beer but has now become Hollis John’s. I’d like to think that JJ Stewart lost this root beer to Mr. John after losing a high stakes bet on a Yacht Race. Or, a fishing boat race. No yachts. Go dig up an old Photo of that JJ Stuart. He’s totally the sort that would wager his root beer on a yacht race. Anyways. I’d been wanting to try it for awhile so I’m once again indebted to those fine Bros of the Soda Pop variety.

The Body is mild with licorice and wintergreen and a bit of vanilla in an otherwise generic and unnoteworthy flavor. The Bite is prickly from carbonation yet light on spice, it isn’t smooth but not overly harsh. The Head is medium height and staying power, so not really bad but not great. The Aftertaste is light wintergreen with maybe a hint of sarsaparilla.

This is fine. I mean, it doesn’t really have anything bad about it but nothing great either. It’s good in a pinch but I doubt it’s anyone’s favorite. Still, making a passable brew is not to be disparaged yet, I think I see why ol’ JJ was willing to risk it. Since he wasn’t losing anything that replaceable. See how it rates against other root beers.

Three kegs

Dec 012021
 

Potosi Root Beer BottleSeal of ApprovalI’ve been searching for this for a long time. I’ve known about it for years but could never actually get a hold of it. Then finally, when I went to the Museum of root beer grand opening, they had it on tap, but I wanted to drink lots of other root beer there as well, so I didn’t drink it. But they also were selling bottles which solved everything. I bought two. Potosi is made in Potosi, WI, where the National Brewery Museum is, evidently. I’ve never been there but I assume they give this to non-beer drinkers who go visit the museum. It says on the bottle that all profits go to charity. I assume that means the Brewery Museum, but maybe there are also other charities. It doesn’t say. I don’t really care. I just want good root beer.

The Body is full flavored with honey, sarsaparilla accented by a bit of vanilla. It’s super sweet and sticky as well. I like it. The Bite is spicy with a decently smooth finish. The Head is supremely tall and foamy so pour carefully. The Aftertaste is honey and aged sarsaparilla. I wish there were a bit more vanilla to it, but it’s still really good.

This is quite nice. I like it. Good honey, smooth finish. Shame there isn’t more creamy vanilla but I could drink this, a lot. Now I feel I should visit that brewery museum, or at least just drink this on tap next time I see it. See how it rates against other root beer.

4 kegs