Root Beer Aficionado

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Root Beer Aficionado Tasting and reporting on the finest root beers, and assorted other beverages that fall into my shopping cart. If you have a favorite, let me know!

Sampling and reviewing the finest root beers, sarsaparillas, and other interesting beverages.

Asia/Classics sarsae- At the Asian market, saw several sarsaes I'd already had, but this was new. Shelf label said "Cla...
11/03/2026

Asia/Classics sarsae- At the Asian market, saw several sarsaes I'd already had, but this was new. Shelf label said "Classics Sarsae." No open section near it, but was this in the right place? The bottle has hardly any English except "Asia" on the front. In small print on the back it says "safflower soda." Sarsae isn't exactly sarsaparilla, but is related, and I'm not sure if this really is a sarsae or not. But it tastes like one, so we'll check it out.

Medium-brown color. Decent head. Mild sarsaparilla scent. Dry flavor, not much sweetness, a hint of rootiness. None of the standard sarsaparilla's fruity/cherry tones. Pretty much a mildly sweet pop with hints of root beer or sarsaparilla.

Not bad, refreshing, different. I'd get it again.

Bloom Pop root beer float- Saw this at Kroger, had to grab it though I am leery of "functional sodas," since they usuall...
04/03/2026

Bloom Pop root beer float- Saw this at Kroger, had to grab it though I am leery of "functional sodas," since they usually sacrifice taste for whatever minimal functionality there is.

Attractive can. Very mild aroma of caramel. In fact, caramel is our word of the day: it pours out a dark caramel color. Barely any head. And: caramel flavor up front, followed by slight bitterness. Nothing to hint at root beer or a root beer float. But, pleasant enough. Would work in a float.

Always Save root beer- I got this at an IGA in a small town; apparently their store brand. 2 liters only, at least at t...
26/02/2026

Always Save root beer- I got this at an IGA in a small town; apparently their store brand. 2 liters only, at least at that location.

Decent but fast-dissipating head, tan instead of more white. Bitter aroma, hints of root beer barrel candy. And the flavor is also fairly bitter, barely sweet. Not that great. I'll drink it because I have a ton of it, but not recommended.

Bum Energy root beer- I've had "healthy" roots but I don't think I've had an energy drink version. I think I found this...
18/02/2026

Bum Energy root beer- I've had "healthy" roots but I don't think I've had an energy drink version. I think I found this at Kroger.

Slim tall can. Sleek attractive design. Says it has as much caffeine as a 12-oz coffee. Pours out clear with a decent but fast-dissipating head. Very slight aroma that suggests the possibility of sassafras. The flavor: none of that. Lots of carbonation, syrupy citrus, dry aftertaste. Not bad, but not at all a root beer. Sweetened with sucralose; no sour or bitter artificial sweetener flavors

Reeds "multifunctional soda" root beer- Stumbled on this, doesn't seem to be related to the Reed's that makes a root bee...
29/01/2026

Reeds "multifunctional soda" root beer- Stumbled on this, doesn't seem to be related to the Reed's that makes a root beer hard candy; this is from the company that makes Virgil's. It has low sugar, lots of ginger, and mushrooms, among other ingredients. Supposedly no artificial sweeteners, though there's a sourness in there, perhaps from the mushrooms?

Attractive can. Fast-dissipating head. Mild aroma of sweetness and ginger. Pours out an unattractive yellowy-brown. Honestly, doesn't look or taste like a root beer. It's more in the category of root-beer-flavored health drink. And ginger is the overwhelming flavor. Not that that's a bad thing, I like ginger, but I really like root beer. I'll finish it, it's a pleasant enough drink, but it's basically a less-sweet ginger beer, with a bite and ginger spiciness, a bit of sweetness, and some off notes.

29/01/2026

A local spring and summer time tradition announced when it will be opening.

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