Favorite Root Beer?
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22 members have voted
A&W was my favorite back in the 70's, but they must have done something to their recipe over the years because it doesn't quite taste the same as back then. Then again, maybe my taste buds changed? Who knows.
Currently, I like Barq's.
And I would guess that, back then, it was made with cane sugar, where now, it's very likely it's made with corn syrup. And if the taste has changed, that will be why.
Quote: beachbumbabsWhen I was a kid, in the 60's, it was a very special treat to go to A&W's for frosty drafts. No bottled root beer has ever compared, and I haven't had draft for over 30 years. Do they still have it?
And I would guess that, back then, it was made with cane sugar, where now, it's very likely it's made with corn syrup. And if the taste has changed, that will be why.
Yeah corn syrup is the worst. I remember eating chef boy ar dee a few times and after each time I would get very sick when before it never happened. Turned out that is right when they started adding it in. Pepsi Throwback seems to be a nice alternative though.
Also up until a few years ago there was a Combo KFC/A & W right up the street from me. The root beet floats and cheese curds were always a fun treat. Then I guess Yum foods divested themselves of A & W so it's back to being just a KFC.
could take your own jug and get it filled. It was
real creamy and real carbonated.
Quote: beachbumbabsWhen I was a kid, in the 60's, it was a very special treat to go to A&W's for frosty drafts. No bottled root beer has ever compared, and I haven't had draft for over 30 years. Do they still have it?
And I would guess that, back then, it was made with cane sugar, where now, it's very likely it's made with corn syrup. And if the taste has changed, that will be why.
You know, those are 2 good points I hadn't even thought of. I totally agree with everyone that corn syrup sucks. I recently had some Coca-Cola with cane sugar and could definitely tell there was a difference (for the better). Also, I'm trying to remember if the A&W I remember from the 70's was canned/bottled or draft. That could also be the difference. Thanks for pointing all this out because the difference in A&W's taste has always bugged me. :)
Quote: Beethoven9thif the A&W I remember from the 70's was canned/bottled or draft.
Real draft rootbeer is amazing stuff, like Dog n Suds
and A&W. It's the real sugar and carbonizing it on
the spot. Makes it super smooth.
Quote: strictlyAPWhere is Stewart's in this poll?
Ah damn, I knew I forgot one. Sorry...
EDIT: Actually, I'm trying to think now. Is it still available? I haven't seen it in a long time.
Quote: Mission146I agreed with Bob on Barq's
No, that was me. :) I guess EvenBob is my doppelgänger. LOL
Quote: Beethoven9thQuote: Mission146I agreed with Bob on Barq's
No, that was me. :) I guess EvenBob is my doppelgänger. LOL
My mistake, don't know why I thought Bob was the OP. Stewart's Root Beer is still available, by the way, I see it all the time and a few restaurants even serve it.
Quote: Beethoven9thWhat's your favorite commercial brand of Root Beer?
A&W was my favorite back in the 70's, but they must have done something to their recipe over the years because it doesn't quite taste the same as back then. Then again, maybe my taste buds changed? Who knows.
Currently, I like Barq's.
I completely agree about A&W it doesn't taste the same as it used to, at least from a can or bottle. However, if there are A&W fast food stores near you they have the root beer on an old fashioned tap type of thing...and it tastes amazing.
Both Stewarts and IBC make a great root beer. The Black Cherry IBC is great too.
Quote: Mission146Stewart's Root Beer is still available, by the way, I see it all the time and a few restaurants even serve it.
Quote: strictlyAPhands down the best, and on the east coast its everywhere
Cool, I usually buy canned soda, so I guess I'm just walking right past it. Gotta look harder next time! :)
In that case, Barq's, mainly because it's the only root beer available to me that has caffeine.
Sarsaparilla
Root Beer
Diet Sarsaparilla
Orange Cream
Cream Soda
Birch Beer
Cherries N' Mint
Berry Berry
I've only had the Birch Beer, Root Beer and Sarsaparilla. The Sarsaparilla would still be my favorite choice for root beer because it is close enough to root beer. In fact, the only difference between Root Beer and Sarsaparilla is added stuff, in that Sarsaparilla is flavored only with Sarsaparilla Root Extract and Root Beer also uses Sarsaparilla Root Extract, (mainly) but it also uses extracts from other roots.
Root Beer has a lighter taste that Sarsaparilla and a much less heady aftertaste, the predominating taste of Root Beer is the Sarsaparilla extract, so Sarsaparilla basically just tastes like a very strong Root Beer. I would suspect that Root Beers such as Barq's and old-school A&W simply had a greater proportion of Sarsaparilla extract in their recipe than the other extracts. I could be wrong, but Barq's certainly tastes close to Sarsaparilla than any other root beer on the list.
It's basically the same thing with Root Beer v. Birch Beer, Birch Beer is flavored almost exclusively with Birch extracts while Root Beer merely uses birch extracts along with Sarsaparilla extracts and others. I only had the Birch Beer once and wasn't terribly impressed, it is pretty heavily reminiscent of wintergreen and licorice, the latter of which I hate.
There's the slightest hint of licorice in Root Beer, but it's not overpowering (for someone who hates it) as it is in Birch Beer. Sarsaparilla has no discernible hint of licorice, in my opinion.
Of course, they all taste somewhat similar. Real Sarsaparilla is probably a different drink altogether, though I've never had it to know.
Quote: djatcI developed an addiction to the Ellis Island root beer. It doesn't help that every Tuesday and Saturday they give out free pizza and root beer just for showing up.
Really? What times? I may have to check that out.
Quote: Mission146I only had the Birch Beer once and wasn't terribly impressed, it is pretty heavily reminiscent of wintergreen and licorice, the latter of which I hate.
I've never had birch beer, but I've always been curious. I do like wintergreen but don't know how I'd like it in a drink. Might be kinda like the first time I tried chocolate soda. I love chocolate, but drinking a chocolate flavored soda was weird.
Quote: Beethoven9thReally? What times? I may have to check that out.
All day Tues and Saturday. Print out a free pizza coupon. Now it's either pizza or the sub, with root beer or any of their other beers.
I don't recommend the subs. Too dry and plain tasting.
EDIT: might just be for locals. You'll have to double check. Also I'm a bigot.
Quote: djatcAll day Tues and Saturday. Print out a free pizza coupon. Now it's either pizza or the sub, with root beer or any of their other beers.
I don't recommend the subs. Too dry and plain tasting.
EDIT: might just be for locals. You'll have to double check. Also I'm a bigot.
Yeah, let us know the details about that is you figure that out. g/f definitely approves of the root beer, and I approve of the non root beer. And I am overdue to play some 9/6 DDB Quick Quads!
My favorite is "Not Your Father's Root Beer' by Small Town Brewery (10% ABV). I generally don't care for root beer, tbh.
Quote: djatcAll day Tues and Saturday. Print out a free pizza coupon. Now it's either pizza or the sub, with root beer or any of their other beers.
I don't recommend the subs. Too dry and plain tasting.
EDIT: might just be for locals. You'll have to double check. Also I'm a bigot.
From what the Ellis Island person said, it is on Saturdays and Tuesdays and it is based on previous play. I guess if you are eligible for it, it will print out from the kiosk.
Is it true they have been cutting back on a lot of their old food specials at EI like the Secret Steak Special and BBQ special? Sounds like people are upset with some marketing guy named "Big Mike" who they feel was responsible for the changes. Since you guys are regulars, maybe you know the truth about this.
Quote: PerditionFrom what the Ellis Island person said, it is on Saturdays and Tuesdays and it is based on previous play. I guess if you are eligible for it, it will print out from the kiosk.
Ah, thanks for clearing that up for me. Now I can scratch it from my To Do list. hehe
Quote: PerditionFrom what the Ellis Island person said, it is on Saturdays and Tuesdays and it is based on previous play. I guess if you are eligible for it, it will print out from the kiosk.
Is it true they have been cutting back on a lot of their old food specials at EI like the Secret Steak Special and BBQ special? Sounds like people are upset with some marketing guy named "Big Mike" who they feel was responsible for the changes. Since you guys are regulars, maybe you know the truth about this.
Still getting $1 off entrees, $8.99 steak special with root beer/beer. BBQ at member prices. All printable at the kiosk, except for $1 off which requires you play through $1 with your card. I usually just play a couple hands of 9/6 10 play on nickels and see what happens.
Quote: djatcI usually just play a couple hands of 9/6 10 play on nickels and see what happens.
Sans Quick Quads? Zzzzzz... Hearing the dude say "Quick Quad!" is one of the greatest video poker sounds in history!
Quote: tringlomaneSans Quick Quads? Zzzzzz... Hearing the dude say "Quick Quad!" is one of the greatest video poker sounds in history!
The 6th coin, new strategy, and added variance is something I'd like to avoid. In all my time at ei I've only seen one person play with correct strategy.
Dreamcard sounds a lot better, but its usually a bad returning game so I avoid it, although catching a deuce in it is awesome sauce. Runner up is the dealt hand sound in 50-100 play as you play it off.
Do you live in Marion? I've been to that Stewart's...Quote: SplittingAAI live in Central Ohio and we still have a Stewart's Rootbeer Stand in my hometown. The family loves to go there. The food is bad for you and we love it (I personally like the Garbage Burger if I'm feeling gluttonous). It's a carhop place, that's only open half of the year. You just pull your car into a spot, give your order through the speaker/microphone thingy. Wait 15 minutes then they bring out the tray and hang it on your window. It's a fun treat in the summer after a little league game or any other time.
It tastes more light & clean compared to regular Pepsi (if that description makes any sense). I hate that corn syrup crap even more now.
*EDIT: Looks like Pepsi Throwback became permanent a couple years ago. Where the hell have I been? lol...
Quote: BuzzardHires Root Beer Probably a local brand in Baltimore. This was back in the 1950's. Used to bet lunch money my coke bottle was farther away than yours. City it was bottled in was on bottom of 6 oz bottles.
We had Hires in the Midwest(Northern Plains). It might have been the first root beer I saw on grocery shelves rather than from a tap, so a long time ago. Late 60's, maybe?
