Hank's Gourmet Root Beer (#36)

Overall Rating: 8.42 out of 10

Hanks Gourmet Beverages, Philadelphia, PA

Website: https://www.hanksbeverages.net/

160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 41g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Great heavy amber bottle. Classy label with gold print including neck label  = 8.5

• Color: Medium brown mystery = 8.5

• Taste:  Smooth and stable root beer = 8.0

• Experience: Hanks has an unique taste that goes down smooth. Enjoy one of these on your next cook-out  = 8.7

• Sweetener:  Cane Sugar

    At first taste, I really enjoyed Hank’s Root Beer. This root beer was not an overtaking foamy mess, but a smooth and easy going soda. Hanks has a great aroma and the right amount of cane sugar to give it “ I want another one” feeling. I was also really impressed with the bottle. It is a nice curved heavy amber bottle and classy label. Looking forward to trying the other Hank’s flavors. Give Hank’s a try at your next cookout.

Check out the Hank’s story: https://www.hanksbeverages.net/about/

St. John Brewers Root Beer (#30)

Overall Rating: 8.02 out of 10

St John, Virgin Islands

Website: https://stjohnbrewers.com/

15 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 49g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Nice beachy looking paper label of palm tree, barrels and tap  = 7.6

• Color: Medium Brown = 7.8

• Taste:  Great natural root beer = 8.0

• Experience: Great taste, reminded me of the that A&W root beer stand in the 1980s  = 8.7

• Sweetener:  Cane Sugar

    At first thought, a root beer from the islands? really? Well St. John founders have a terrific story and how they started brewing beers. I have not had a chance to try their beers, but the Mango sounds very interesting. Back to soda, St John’s root beer has a great sweet root beer taste that does not disappoint. Natural flavors of Wintergreen, Anise and Vanilla ingredients really give this root beer a unique taste and foaming malt. I have to say, I was impressed with this soda. Really got to try this one with a glass full of vanilla ice cream! Enjoy

Check out their story: https://stjohnbrewers.com/st-john-brewers-about-us/

Virgil's Cream Soda (#29)

Overall Rating: 7.92 out of 10

Reeds, Los Angeles, CA

Website: www.virgils.com

160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 42g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Smooth clear bottle with colorful label. Also a nice matching wrapper around neck = 7.5

• Color: Sandy Brown = 8.0

• Taste:  Sweet and smooth cream taste  = 8.0

• Experience: Goes great with a chocolate desert!   = 8.2

• Sweetener: Unbleached Cane Sugar

    After having Virgil’s root beer, the bar was raised high for the cream soda. Happy to say that I was not disappointed. I got the chance to have the cream soda with a chocolate brownie and boy was that a treat! This soda has a oh so sweet cream taste that goes down smooth. As like the root beer, the cream soda has a very detailed listing of the all natural ingredients including vanilla beans. I’m looking forward to trying more of the Virgil’s soda. Try this cream soda with a chocolate dessert, you won’t be disappointed.

Dang! Butterscotch Root Beer (#25)

Overall Rating: 7.90 out of 10

Imperial Flavors

Website: http://dangthatsgood.com/

120 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 31g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Fitting dark amber bottle with paper label = 7.0

• Color: Deep Brown = 7.6

• Taste:  Deep and sweet root beer with a sweet butterscotch taste   = 8.5

• Experience: Great treat on a cold night   = 8.5

• Sweetener:  Sugar

    To start, I can’t ever remember having a Butterscotch Root Beer, so this is a first for me. Tried this on a cold winter night, and have to say “Dang” that’s a great soda! At first twist of the cap, you can smell the aroma of a butterscotch candy. At first sip, you get that root beer taste and with a sweet ending of butterscotch. Looking at the label, it was hard to believe this soda is only 120 calories and 31g of Sugar. Pretty low for such a sweet taste. Label also mentions that it is Caffeine and Gluten free. How can you go wrong with this soda.

Virgil's Root Beer (#18)

Overall Rating: 8.40 out of 10

Reeds, Los Angeles, CA

Website: www.virgils.com

160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 42g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Fitting dark amber bottle with a label in gold trim. Also a nice matching wrapper around neck = 8.4

• Color: Deep Brown = 8.0

• Taste:  Deep and sweet root beer a bold taste  = 8.7

• Experience: Check out their website for that root beer float recipe   = 8.5

• Sweetener: Unbleached Cane Sugar

    Was able to pick up a 4 pack of the Virgil’s Root Beer, and glad I did. I have been drinking one of these a day recently and have to say, this is a great root beer. I was really impressed with the overall appearance of the bottle and gold labeling. Very detailed to the listing of the all natural ingredients and the mention of “Served Chilled (Without Ice)”. Not that’s how you should serve a root beer. This root beer has a strong root beer grab at first sip, but then goes down sweet and smooth making you want a another sip. Looking forward to trying more of the Virgil’s soda. Try this root beer using the float recipe that can be found on their website. Enjoy!

IBC Root Beer (#14)

Overall Rating: 7.85 out of 10

Dr. Pepper/7up Bottlers

Website: www.ibcrootbeer.com

160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 40g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Fitting dark amber bottle with IBC name = 7.8

• Color: Deep Brown = 7.6

• Taste:  Deep and sweet root beer with perfect bite  = 8.0

• Experience: That fitting drink for an ice cream float   = 8.0

• Sweetener: Cane Sugar

    IBC has maintain to be a leader in the soda industry for decades. The root beer is their main staple and for sure its ranks among the best. It has a strong root beer grab at first sip, but then goes down sweet and smooth. The cane sugar is just the right amount to give it that sweet after taste. Try the IBC Root Beer with a few scopes of ice cream in a tall cold glass. Enjoy this one!

Abita Root Beer (#12)

Overall Rating: 8.20 out of 10

Abita, Louisiana

Website: www.abita.com

160 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 45g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Fitting dark amber bottle with embossed name = 8.3

• Color: Deep and Dirty Brown = 8.0

• Taste:  Deep and sweet root beer with perfect bite  = 8.5

• Experience: That fitting drink to go with those alligator bites   = 8.0

• Sweetener: Louisiana Cane Sugar

    I have tasted several of the Abita beers in the past and have always enjoyed them. Well their root beer lives up to that reputation. It has a strong root beer grab at first sip, but then goes down sweet and smooth. The cane sugar is a relief after drinking a few fructose sweetened sodas. Ready to try the other Abita flavors!. Try the Abita Root Beer with some alligator bites on a hot southern night on the Bayou!

Saranac Root Beer (#9)

Overall Rating: 6.00 out of 10

Saranac  Utica, NY

Website:  https://www.saranac.com/

188 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 46g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Standard tall amber bottle with no trills label that was not glued on very well. = 5.0

• Color: Modestly dark brown = 6.0

• Taste: Deep full root beer taste    = 6.0

• Experience: So far this is the best Saranac beverage I have had  = 7.0

• Notable Ingredients: Sodium benzoate, hmm

• Sweetener: HFCS

As I mention, this is a decent root beer that provides a nice foamy taste that reminds me of A& W root beer. This root beer has an upfront bite, but then goes down smooth. Looks like Saranac got this one right!

Boylan Root Beer (#4)

Overall Rating: 6.80 out of 10

Boylan Bottling Company, New York

Website: https://www.boylanbottling.com/

165 Calories (12oz) , Sugar 41g

• Label and Bottle Appearance: Simple clean design & smooth amber bottle = 8

• Color: Deep amber = 7.6

• Taste: Fully inviting root beer taste with a bit of after taste  = 6

• Experience: An average root beer to go along with that hamburger  = 6

     Boylan's Root Beer has a lot to compete with in the root beer business. It has a strong root beer grab at first sip, but then kinda drops off with a bit of a strange after taste. In addition it has the usual Boylan's sweetness with a bit of a cinnamon hint.  Overall I give this an average rating and call it a good staple in their selections. Not the best soda from Boylans, but a decent pick on cool night at the local hamburger joint.