Sprecher Root Beer

Pleasant is the first word that comes to mind when drinking Sprecher Root Beer. The flavor isn’t complex, but it is unique while reminding me of other brews. The closest comparison that comes to mind is Mug, which I have always considered a safe pleasant refreshment. However, Sprecher has a stronger caramelly flavor with a little bite and surprising amount of carbonation. Sprecher is brewed in Glendale, WI by it’s namesake Randal Sprecher since 1985. Interestingly enough Randall did not always brew, having left oceanography due to a tendency towards seasickness. Now root beer sales are more than any other beverage produced by the company and is widely distributed throughout the state. Even though I like Point better this really is the root beer of Wisconsin. Among many ingredients, the flavors come from raw Wisconsin honey and Yucca Extract. I just wish I knew what Yucca exctract tasted like so I could identify it in the root beer!

Final Score: 8.25

Natural Brew Draft Root Beer

Opening this baby up, I got a pretty good idea of what was in store for me. The scent is VERY sweet, and what I am assuming is sarsaparilla. The appearance is rather disappointing with essentially no head and is more translucent than you might expect from a smaller batch brew. Unfortunately I would also not even say it is “earthy”, which would have been a nice thing to say about it. The most unfortunate thing is that “Natural Brew” is a subsidiary of Smuckers, so even though it tries to act like one of the locals it really isn’t. The balance really kills it as it is about as balanced as a fat kid on a teeter totter. Flavor ingredients: bourbon vanilla extract, anise, sarsaparilla, licorice root, birch oil, wintergreen oil. 

Final Rating: 6

Virgil's Root Beer

I have tried Virgil’s Root Beer before and decided to do a review of it when I saw a single bottle at the grocery store. The first impression looking at the label was that a lot of thought was put into this product. Pouring it into a frosty glass I was rewarded with a strong earthy scent, some of which reminded me of spices and some old-fashioned candies. This is not to say it is my favorite as I find the flavor a little overwhelming, but it did get a 10 in the “interest” category. The ingredients are proudly displayed on the side of the bottle: anise, licorice, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, wintergreen, sweet birch, molasses, nutmeg, pimento berry oil, balsam oil and oil of cassia. WOW. Anyone who is a fan of Birch Beer will love this.  I’m thinking this may be a good candidate for a root beer float using vanilla bean ice cream.

FINAL RATING: 8