Nov 082017
 

Mustache Mike's Raw Dawg Root Beer Bottle Mustache Mike’s is husband and wife company that started in 2006 to sell Italian Ice is Southern California. Italian Ice is some manner of dairy free, silky smooth, frozen confection that I guess is really amazing. I’ve never had it nor even heard of it before now so I can only guess that it’s something of a glorified sorbet. Anyways, they’re currently experimenting with getting into sodas and particularly root beers. At the time of this writing (about a year ago) they were only selling their Raw Dawg Root Beer at the same place that Doggone Good Root Beer is sold. The owners probably know each or else I can’t imagine they’d want such competition. I heard about this from my good pal the Root Beer Tracker and got a trade set up. I like their logo, and sincerely hope that the real-life Mike has such a mustache. I find it interesting that its sweetened with “pure cane sugar” and corn syrup as usually they pick one or the other.

The Body is sweet and spicy with nice caramelized sugar and vanilla flavors. It reminds me of a classic root beer stand flavor. There is a lot of spicy Bite but it’s also prickly and a little harsh. The Head is tall but fizzes down quickly. The Aftertaste is spicy vanilla with a candy sort of flavor.

This is really good, but just not quite there in every category. Perhaps if the Head lasted a little longer and the Bite was a little less harsh and the sassafras flavor a little stronger and the candy flavor not there. But alas, no Seal for you. It is rather distinctive though so it’s worth a try. See how it rates against other root beers.

Three and a half kegs




Nov 012017
 

Frostop Special Reserve Imperial Root Beer BottleSeal of ApprovalI haven’t been as excited to try a new root beer since Sprecher Honey. I love Frostop so a Frostop with clover honey and Madagascar vanilla sounds like heaven. This was made in a custom batch run for the people at Market Street Soda, a soda shop in Newark, Ohio. They are like a bar, but only draft and bottled sodas, with a large number of them root beers. This is a concept I’d like to see more of. They have Frostop on draft and have a good relationship with Frostop, so they got this custom brew made just for them. It’s bottled by Spring Grove. They wouldn’t ship any to me, but luckily I have some amazing fans so someone sent me two bottles in a trade.

The Body is rich and complex with lovely honey and vanilla and lots of clove all complimenting a nice sassafras core. All that clove makes one spicy Bite but it still finishes rather smooth. The Head is just perfect. It’s tall and frothy and lingers through the entire drinking experience. The creamy vanilla Aftertaste is peppered with clove accents. A perfect finish for an amazing brew.

Wow, just wow. I am a sucker for vanilla and honey brews and they nailed this one. Lots of clove on this type of root beer is quite unique and I really liked it as well, it was that extra kick to knock this into the highest echelons of root beers. Well done Frostop, two for two. See how it rates against other root beers

4.5 Kegs




Oct 252017
 

Crim City Soda Renegade Root Beer Bottle Crim City is a rough place. Where kingpins and their henchmen pull major heists, brawlers fill the alleys, and renegades cause all sorts of damage while ensuring someone else gets the blame. The Crim City Police Department always has their hands full but they never seem to make any progress at all. This Gotham of a town is ironically the creation of Canadians, who have grown tired of all the politeness, moose, and maple syrup that adorns their cities. They have also grown tired of large scale commercial sodas, which are so bland and artificial, and thus have launched a rough and tough, all natural, exciting soda company to combat the blasé flavors and branding of the commercial establishment. Their root beer is the renegade of the group. They were kind enough to let me order some direct, though shipping from Canuckistan (I’m not the only one who calls Canada that right?) is rather steep. They also make energy drinks under the brand of Beaver Buzz with the tagline “Dam Good” and included one for me because that’s the sort of nice guys they are.

The Body is nice and sweet with a light flavor profile. There’s some caramel and vanilla notes with spices. The Bite is harsh but has some nice spice to it. The Head is medium height and duration. The Aftertaste is the faintest caramel traces that are gone quickly.

This is nice. It’s a light brew, but the flavors are all good. I’d prefer it to be stronger, but maybe that’s the renegade’s way, cooler than strong. It’s not quite Seal material, but it’s better than average. See how it rates against other root beers.

Three and a half kegs