Did You Know? Barq's Root Beer is 'Rooted' In Biloxi - Mississippi Farm Country (2024)

FAQs

What is the origin of Barq's root beer Biloxi MS? ›

Developed by Edward Barq, Sr., Barq's was the iconic root beer of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the greater South and eventually was marketed in cities from New Jersey to Hawaii. Barq bought the Biloxi Artesian Bottling Works on Keller Avenue in Biloxi in 1897 and invented Barq's root beer in 1898.

That's right; Barq's Root Beer was invented in Mississippi. And while it's now one of the most recognizable drinks in the nation, it had to start somewhere and that somewhere is an unassuming little house in Biloxi.

Though many observers think of New Orleans as the home of Barq's Root Beer, the popular soft drink got its start in Biloxi in 1898, when New Orleans native Edward Charles Edmond Barq invented the soft drink with a bite.

Since 1898, Barq's Root Beer has had a simple slogan- DRINK BARQ'S. IT'S GOOD™. After more than a century, it's (still) good.

Barq's (/ˈbɑːrks/) is an American brand of root beer created by Edward Barq and bottled since the beginning of the 20th century. It is owned by the Coca-Cola Company. It was known as "Barq's Famous Olde Tyme Root Beer" until 2012.

The flavor of Barq's differed from other root beers on the market, as it used sarsaparilla instead of sassafras and incorporated more caffeine and less sugar than other brands, giving it a bit of a “bite.” Over the years, the drink grew in popularity and was ultimately acquired by Coca-Cola in 1995.

In 1875, Charles Elmer Hires introduced the first commercial brand of root beer, named Hires Root Beer. Hires initially wanted to name the product to be “Root Tea,” but chose “Root Beer,” to make the beverage attractive to Pennsylvanian coal miners.

Hires Root Beer was created by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires. The official story is that Hires first tasted root beer, a traditional American beverage dating back to the colonial era, while on his honeymoon in 1875.

Did you know that Vicksburg, Mississippi, was the first place the ever-popular Coca-Cola was ever bottled? In the late 1800s, Joseph A. Biedenharn owned three candy stores in the downtown area and began bottling his strawberry soda to sell in the store.

Do you know why? Well, it's unique Barq's spice is what makes this root beer soda truly original and truly tasty, complete with a caffeine kick. Not to mention the full-bodied flavor that is so distinct and different it can only be Barq's.

What is the oldest soda? ›

Schweppes (1783)

The oldest soda brand still on the market today is none other than Schweppes. Schweppes was founded initially in 1783 when Jacob Schweppes created carbonated mineral water (via Coca-Cola). The product's notoriety grew, and Schweppes began selling in Geneva and England.

That Robinson did so makes the entire contract null and void and means he still had an interest in the Louisiana Barq's company, which went on to merge with the Mississippi company before being sold to Coca-Cola in 1995 for $91 million. Robinson died in 1996.

While most root beer doesn't contain caffeine, some brands use it in their sodas. This includes Barq's beer, though their diet version is caffeine-free. Root beer is a fizzy soda made with water, sweetener, and sassafras root or extract.

Barq's launched in 1898, followed by followed by A&W in 1919. Dad's Old Fashioned made its debut in the late 1930s, becoming the first product to utilize the standard six-pack packaging format we enjoy for most beverage products today.

In fact, the soda was not originally caffeinated. It became caffeinated after being acquired by Coca Cola, according to Carl Foster, the communications director of Swire Coca-Cola. “Primarily due to being consistent, Barq's Root Beer is caffeinated throughout the U.S.,” he said.

Interesting Fact. In 1875, Charles Elmer Hires introduced the first commercial brand of root beer, named Hires Root Beer. Hires initially wanted to name the product to be “Root Tea,” but chose “Root Beer,” to make the beverage attractive to Pennsylvanian coal miners.

Root Beer in Colonial America

When European colonists observed indigenous people using sassafras, sarsaparilla, wintergreen and other roots, barks, and berries for their health benefits, the colonists did what they knew best—made small beer.

With a unique taste unlike any other soda and best served in a frosted glass, root beer traces its origins back to the colonial days of America, although it wasn't commercially sold until the late 1800s. The name root beer may imply that the soda contains alcohol or is fermented like beer; however, neither is the case.