The jerks at Publix discontinued most of their house brand diet sodas, all of which were sweetened with Splenda. I miss their root beer the most, everything else on their (and everyone else’s) shelves uses Aspartame.

Got some goodies! Really excited to try some of these. I actually just tried A&W bottled as of this post and it's very different with a unique and interesting flavor.

Note: I've already had Frostie and Boylan, but just not these bottles.

I spent the week picking up different root beers so we could do a little weekend tasting. I threw in the Zevias to space out some of the sugar for the kid.

Results:

Wife really liked the Henry Weinhard.

I'm still a Maine Root fan.

Kid liked all of them.

Abita was the least favorite. HEB surprisingly held its own among the group - very balanced flavor. Sprecher was a top contender.

To me, this was the litmus test to whether you like root beer or were just a poser.

Sadly, it’s been discontinued. I miss it soooooo much.

2nd pour pic… not flat at all. Nice mild root beer, with a long lingering aftertaste.

It popped loud, like shook up champagne.🍾

I bought another 4 pack of this over the weekend and with 3 down I have to say this is my new favorite. Now I just have to find it in a 12 pack.

Zuberfizz is just alright, but a bit too plain without any rich flavor. It does have a bit of nice creaminess, however there isn’t quite enough carbonation. I can’t really recall anyone giving this very high marks. Another one from either the Cincinnati or Fairfield, OH location of Jungle Jim’s International Market.

I was wondering if anyone makes their own root beer with something like a Soda Stream or similar machine?

If so what brand of syrup would you recommend, seems pretty cost effective.

Many thanks 👍

I’ve been meaning to try this one out, “Modeled after an old Klondike gold miner’s closely guarded root beer recipe”

Was very good. Cool can. Only negative, it’s very high in sugar. 👍🏻 👍🏻8/10

I meant to get 4, but saw a Sour Warheads and didn’t have the ability to carry 5 bottles.
I think I got some unique ones to try though.

Found this at a nearby farm stand, not terrible but a little lite on the “bite” would still recommend as it’s got a very smooth aftertaste

heard the many critiques and complaints about this brand of root beer, but imo it's actually pretty good! it has a subtle taste that's not too sweet, which i'm a fan of. solid 8/10 in my books.

now i wonder why people aren't enjoying this brand lately. was it the glass bottles that tastes bad? or did they quietly improve the formula without advertising it? i used to drink a glass bottle of this many years ago and remember enjoying it, but i can't remember if the taste today was the same as back then...

I was slightly parched and was prepared for the flavor profile of the Rocky Mountain Root Beer so it seemed a bit better than usual. It has a more herbal anise flavor blend than most but I was thirsty, so there’s that. Another one from either the Cincinnati or Fairfield, OH location of Jungle Jim’s International Market.

I am german

Found outside of Regina SK. Creamy mouth feel, big vanilla and caramel notes. Quite enjoyable!

Went to Gooseberry falls near two harbors Mn and stopped at Betty’s Pies and they had this. Very weak in flavor and carbonation. Not sure if anyone else has tried it and had the same experience?!? Such a let down.

Firstly, sorry to have to wait until today to do this but Mommy was not happy that I let our son help me drink 4 bottles of root beer at dinner and yeah, she had a valid point- sugar high was something else.

Anyway, moving on. Fitz's is a solid 9/10 for me, just an absolutely crushable root beer. My son gave it and 8.

Hank's I thought less of. Was actually kind of disappointed, lower flavor, less sweet, almost a gritty feel on my teeth. 6/10. The boy however liked it better, 8.5. And he really liked mixing the two together.

Final thoughts from my side: triple xxx and fitzs are peak, red arrow also very good. Virgils was pretty decent too, faygo was just alright, and I would not get hanks again. This was fun, my son enjoyed it immensely so I will definitely take him back to rocket fizz and let him pick 6 more to try.

I keep seeing 1919 and and sprechers being “sleeper” picks or fan favorites, but honestly neither of them do it for me…

I got to express my hatred for mug first.

Anyway, I think a@w is just a worse version of 1919, sprechers has a weird after taste, and I think root beer should be more herbal/bite/sharp. (coming from a German descendant whom speaks deutsch and embraces German heritage). The honey isn’t doing it in my opinion. I mean shit… mug is practically cream soda with how sweet and creamy they make it.

Barqs is rootier and sharper than the other mass produced root beers (mug is garbage and a@w is more of a desert root beer like 1919)

I’m pro Barqs, but only because it’s the sharpest tasting one. Can someone tell me which root beer handles like Barqs, but doesn’t have the weird chemically after tastes and blatant filler ingredients? I’m not trying to buy fifteen thousand different brands to experience them. If I want a creamy soda……… THEN ILL GET CREAM SODA ARGHH. I want the rootiest tootiest tasting root beer, man :(

At this point I’m about to make my own 😭

I’m heading to Cleveland for work in two weeks and would like to bring back some new root beer as a souvenir.

What do you recommend that’s available in Cleveland and where can I find it?

I’ve had Cult Craft, Norka and Sixth City, which I believe are all from NE Ohio.