Native to North America, root beer is traditionally prepared by using the root barks of the sassafras tree or the vines of sarsaparilla as the main ingredient. This non-alcoholic carbonated drink is sweet and caffeine-free. Once used for medicinal and culinary purposes by American indigenous people, today root beer gained its popularity as being a favorite pastime beverage.
There are plenty of different root beer drinks on the market today, however, to make it easier for you, we’ve selected the top 6 best root beer brands that you should definitely try:
Maine Root’s Root Beer
If you’re interested in a wholesome but one of the best root beer experience Maine Root’s root beer is ideal for you. It’s a well-balanced and creamy drink with a crisp bite and frothy look. The clove, wintergreen, and anise extracts harmoniously blend with the organic sugarcane (grown in Brazil) and bring you an exceptional handcrafted soda drink ready to be savored.
Dr. Brown’s Root Beer
Dr. Brown offers the kind of root beer ideal to complement any food without overwhelming your palate. This draft style root beer has a distinct spicy smell but carries a delicate and smooth taste. The caramel, slightly sheer color, and medium to low-carbonation offer an unforgettable root beer experience.
Dr. Brown’s root beer is a subtle read on the traditional drink recipe. It offers a nice mouthfeel and wintergreen aftertaste with orange notes.
Virgil’s Zero Sugar Root Beer
If you’re looking for a root beer brand that has a memorable taste and zero-calories Virgil’s Zero Sugar root beer is the right drink for you. This bottled root beer is sweetened with Stevia which helps take out all the calories and keep the rich and earthy taste of Virgil’s brand.
The zero sugar, zero caffeine, and zero carbs unique profile of this soda in no way undermines its pungent mouthful feel. The rich syrupy taste will satisfy any fan of the creamier root beer drinks.
Stewart’s Root Beer
Stewart's root beer has been on the market since 1924. It was started by Frank Stewart, a school teacher, and creator of Stewart’s chain restaurants.
Stewart’s root beer is a classic beverage and a premium soda drink. With a growing fan base, this beverage is a rhapsody of pleasing chocolate aroma and subtle spiciness. Highly carbonated, this root beer tingles the tongue and extends the time you savor its velvety, sweet flavor.
Stack on this fine beverage and experience the vintage taste of Stewart’s tradition - a must on anyone’s root beer drinking list.
Boylan Diet Root Beer
Boylan Diet Root Beer is a craft root beer drink you don’t want to miss out on. This beverage is bold, crisp, and full of flavor. Boylan’s Diet Root Beer is one of the best root beers on the market, that not only is zero-calorie but delivers an exciting mouthful experience.
The drink has an intriguing cinnamon and bubblegum aroma that awakens your senses without overwhelming them. It’s mildly carbonated and sweet with a smooth and dense texture. Boylan has managed to create a one-of-a-kind drink with delightful aftertaste thanks to the combination of sucralose (Splenda) and acesulfame potassium - premium quality sweeteners.
A&W - Root Beer
The partnership between Roy W. Allen and Frank Wright marked the beginning of a classical root beer brand that resulted in 101 years of root beer craftsmanship. A&W root beer is famous for its rich taste and has become the favorite ‘frost mug’ of both the older and the younger generation.
A&W root beer has a mature and velvety texture with delicate vanilla tones. The beverage is sweet but not overpowering with a soft finish that leaves you wishing for more. Stocking your fridge with the A&W root beer is a decision you wouldn’t regret.
Whether you are a sworn root beer enthusiast or just a regular soda drink tester make sure you treat yourself and take a sip of these 6 great root beer brands. Taste the skillful interpretations of the traditional recipe and enrich your soda experience by keeping up with the best trends in the industry thanks to our team!
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Sure, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about root beer.
Root Beer:
Root beer is a non-alcoholic carbonated beverage originating from North America. Traditionally, it was prepared using sassafras tree root bark or sarsaparilla vine as the main ingredient. It's sweet, caffeine-free, and historically had medicinal and culinary uses among Native American communities.
Sassafras Tree & Sarsaparilla:
The sassafras tree and sarsaparilla vine were historically utilized in root beer. Sassafras bark contributed to the flavor, but its use declined due to health concerns regarding its compound safrole. Sarsaparilla, another plant, offered a similar taste profile and was used as an alternative.
Top Root Beer Brands:
- Maine Root's Root Beer: Known for a balanced, creamy taste with hints of clove, wintergreen, and anise. It's made with organic sugarcane from Brazil.
- Dr. Brown's Root Beer: Features a subtle yet distinct spicy aroma and a smooth taste, often described as having a wintergreen aftertaste with hints of orange.
- Virgil's Zero Sugar Root Beer: Offers a memorable taste without calories, sweetened with Stevia, maintaining a rich flavor profile.
- Stewart's Root Beer: A classic beverage since 1924, famous for its chocolate aroma, subtle spiciness, and highly carbonated, sweet flavor.
- Boylan Diet Root Beer: Bold and crisp, it's a zero-calorie drink with intriguing cinnamon and bubblegum aroma, sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
- A&W Root Beer: Known for its mature, velvety texture with delicate vanilla tones, providing a sweet yet not overpowering taste.
Ingredients and Characteristics:
These root beer brands use various ingredients like wintergreen, clove, anise, vanilla, and sweeteners like organic sugarcane, Stevia, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium. They differ in their mouthfeel, carbonation levels, sweetness, and flavor profiles.
History and Craftsmanship:
Root beer's history involves its evolution from Native American usage to its commercial production by pioneers like A&W and Stewart's. Craftsmanship, premium ingredients, and unique recipes define these top brands, each offering a distinct taste experience.
Trends and Industry Insights:
The article encourages exploring these root beer brands to experience interpretations of traditional recipes and stay updated on evolving soda trends in the industry.
The concepts span from the historical roots and ingredients of root beer to the characteristics, distinct features, and craftsmanship of these top root beer brands.
