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.
I’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.
