May 022015
 

A pint of Wyncoop Brewing Company Root Beer A week or so ago found me in Denver because, electric vehicles (EVs). I’m sure it’s no coincidence that those also happen to be my initials, but rather a higher power at work. Anyway, I was there and was talking EVs with other EV experts doing EV things because we’re going to change the way you drive and save the world and what not. When all was said and done I found myself with a rental car (non-EV sadly) and four hours before I needed to be at the airport. Since all of my expenses were being reimbursed (and even if they weren’t) I decided to go a questing for brau! I quickly searched Google maps and found Wyncoop Brewing Company. I called and when they said they had their own house root beer I jumped in the car, set the GPS, and was off! It was only when I arrived in downtown and saw the multitudes of Rockies fans heading to the nearby stadium that I realized I may be in for some problems. Parking problems. The brewery doesn’t have its own lot and everything was labeled as event parking at a flat $25. I finally found a garage a few blocks away with the much more reasonable $2 every 15 minutes. I decided to skip the meal at that price, and ran to try the root beer.

The Body is very weak, slightly sour, and fruity. There’s a nice aroma like it would be a full creamy root beer, but when you drink it’s airy if that makes sense. The Bite is rather non-existent, though it is very smooth. The Head is a decent height with good staying power. The Aftertaste has the slightest hints of caramel and vanilla, like the ghost of a delicious creamy root beer.

So I’m not sure what was going on, but they brewed one terrible brew. Maybe it was the high altitude affecting my taste buds, but despite smelling good, it had no depth and was watery. Definitely glad I didn’t stick around. Though it will always bother me a bit that I didn’t get to try any of their food, the parking was too much, the root beer too bad, and there were other root beers to try.

1.5 out of 5 kegs

The Wyncoop Brewing Company Taps. Notice the Root Beer at the back.

The Wyncoop Brewing Company Taps. Notice the Root Beer at the back.

Inside the Wyncoop Brewing Company. I'm sure there is some significance to the bronze gorilla.

Inside the Wyncoop Brewing Company. I’m sure there is some significance to the bronze gorilla.




Apr 292015
 

Stone Cellar Root Beer Bottle This stuff comes from the Stone Cellar Brewpub in Appleton, Wisconsin. Stone Cellar is the state’s oldest brewpub and is housed in a building built over 150 years ago as a brewery. There’s been some change in names over the years and fires and closures, but they are currently stronger than ever before and expanding as well. Their philosophy is on local sustainable and organic offerings to improve the community and the world or something like that. Their root beer bottle is pretty sweet, what with the stone arch and painted letters and whatnot. I always prefer a painted bottle over a label since the former will last longer in my root beer bottle collection.

The Body is extremely light. The only flavors other than sugar are the subtlest hints of ginger and maybe some sarsaparilla. There is also the faintest trace of fruity in the nearly flavorless drink. The Bite has some sharp carbonation burn but nothing else. The Head is tall and frothy and is most excellent. It’s a shining beacon in the otherwise dismal brew. The Aftertaste is merely a shadow of sugar and fruity that’s gone before you even realize it was there.

Huh. It’s not even like those herb tea root beers that are good but not root beer. This stuff is the color of sparkling apple cider and not only does it not taste like root beer; it doesn’t really taste like anything. I wonder who, as a child, grew up drinking something like this and thinking it was root beer. They say on the back of the bottle “Lighter Than The Rest But Still The Best!” They got the first part right for sure. See how it rates against other root beers.

1.5 out of 5 kegs




Apr 222015
 

Sprecher Root Beer BottleSeal of ApprovalAnother brew that I found in Sacramento on the trip there after my mission. My grandmother mentioned that there was a really nice root beer at a cafe down a few blocks away from her house which prompted me to drop everything and take off to see if there was any truth to the rumor. I found that the stories were true and I bought three bottles. Since it was already cold, I was able to start reviewing it as soon as I got back to the house. I for many years mispronounced the name of this. I always though it was a ‘ch’ sound and not a ‘k’ sound so it’s like the German word to talk. Also, I’m not sure what the crow daemon thing is supposed to be but at least it’s not a dog…

The Body is sweet and smooth with a nice honey flavor to it. One of the best root beer bodies that I have ever tasted. The Bite is there, but not too much, more on the smooth side, like I like it. The Head is good and frothy, but, unfortunately was a little too short to rank higher. The Aftertaste is also very nice with the honey.

Wow! This stuff is great. The only thing that could be improved would to have more vanilla flavor to it and a taller Head. All in all, this is a top notch brew. The fact that they sell this in pints means you always get an extra four ounces of goodness and trust me, you’ll always be wanting it. Since I originally reviewed it the label has changed to add that it was voted #1 by the New York Times. Well, I’m awarding my Seal of Approval, which is far more prestigious than anything in the Times. See how it rates against other root beers.

4 kegs