Comments on: Rut Beer

Question: Rut Beer

Corduroy — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:54:23 -0800

I like to consider myself an amateur root beer connoisseur, but I know I need to expand. Right now, I really enjoy Virgil's, Henry Weinhards, Maine, and Thomas Kemper. I live in Portland, OR and am interested in both trying to find some local stuff here as well as stuff I can order online. What are your favorites?

Extra points for root beers without High Fructose Corn Syrup, and other positive production aspects.

By: hydrophonic

hydrophonic — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:58:47 -0800

Sprecher, made with real Wisconsin honey.

By: R. Mutt

R. Mutt — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:05:15 -0800

This guy reviews soft drinks. He has five root beer posts.

By: doctor_negative

doctor_negative — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:05:51 -0800

Hansen's Sarsaparilla is pretty good, uses cane juice instead of HFCS.

By: Roach

Roach — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:06:23 -0800

I came in to say Sprecher's as well. Best root beer I've every had.

By: doctor_negative

doctor_negative — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:10:41 -0800

Here's a root beer review site, that covers a lot of ground.

By: box

box — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:15:16 -0800

Here's another review site. That guy hates Natural Brew, though I like it pretty well. Takes all kinds.

By: box

box — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:16:24 -0800

Upon further reading, I don't think I agree with that dude's political views, either. Still, he seems to really like root beer.

By: sulaine

sulaine — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:16:42 -0800

Stevens Point Root Beer (made in Stevens Point Wisconsin) is way way better than Sprecher (which I like, but not nearly as much as Point).

By: HumuloneRanger

HumuloneRanger — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:18:12 -0800

Of those on the site linked by doctor_negative, I'll personally vouch for Harpoon and Boylan. On the other hand, I never really thought much of Virgil's, so YMMV.

By: contraption

contraption — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:29:59 -0800

Back when I lived in Santa Cruz I developed a taste for Sparky's. You can order it here, along with a bunch of other specialty sodas including Sprecher's.

By: Falconetti

Falconetti — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:41:41 -0800

I third Sprecher's. It is my favorite root beer.

By: shrabster

shrabster — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:52:01 -0800

Crater Lake root beer is great - and local.

By: cobaltnine

cobaltnine — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:03:36 -0800

Foxon Park is the local here; the Root Beer seems to be voted above average, and I can't really say as an unbiased observer, since I think everything they make is awesome. You can buy assorted 12 packs, but not individual bottles online; I'd suggest a bottle or two of Iron Brew and Birch within the mix, as they are root-beer-esqe.

By: R. Mutt

R. Mutt — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:20:06 -0800

You could always make your own. My mother used to. Though I think that might be why most commercial RB seems too sweet to me.

By: P.o.B.

P.o.B. — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:24:21 -0800

The Soqualmie Brewery, which is five minutes from me, makes a really good Root Beer.

By: karizma

karizma — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:52:32 -0800

I really like Widmer Bros. root beer, found right there in Portland. They only serve it at their Gasthaus restaurant (by the brewery). They serve it on tap. I think it is excellent! I've been known to down several glasses after making the trek south from Seattle.

By: jabberjaw

jabberjaw — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:15:47 -0800

Try Sarsi. Found in Asian food stores.

By: sully75

sully75 — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:50:13 -0800

I really like Whole Foods 365 brand root beer. It's cheap and I think as good as the other gourmet brands. Actually I think it's better.

By: JayRwv

JayRwv — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:28:01 -0800

Dominion Root Beer.
Old Dominion Brewing Co, Ashburn, Virginia.

Costco carries it in our area.

By: ainsley

ainsley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:40:06 -0800

McMenamin's makes their own root beer.

By: Antidisestablishmentarianist

Antidisestablishmentarianist — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:45:02 -0800

A local St. Louis establishment is Fitz's Root Beer I've had it and recall it being good, but not being a connoisseur I can't really say how good. Seemed tasty anyway. They have a place you can order online, so you can find out for yourself.

By: azpenguin

azpenguin — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:43:05 -0800

Bulldog Root Beer. Fan-freaking-tastic. You may be able to find it at Cost Plus. Also, if you have a BevMo there, check their soda section and see what they have - they carry a lot of good sodas.

By: artdrectr

artdrectr — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:32:39 -0800

I used to dig Sprecher, but it is pretty syrupy.

Sparky's is now my fave, as it has better flavor. Available at Bevmo.
(I'll have to try that Bulldog, azpenguin.)

By: so_gracefully

so_gracefully — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:42:24 -0800

There is a wonderful store right near me called Galco's that sells thousands of different obscure beverages, including several varieties of root beer (and they will ship out of their web store). I particularly like Dad's brand.

By: GPF

GPF — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:59:45 -0800

Abita root beer is awesomely sweet.

By: at

at — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:29:49 -0800

Ya might go down to Corvallis and try Block 15's:

House Brewed Root Beer - Made with sassafras, wintergreen, licorice root, vanilla, organic cane and brown sugars, & local wildflower honey. $3.00
http://block15.com/menus

By: Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam

Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:37:25 -0800

Saranac root beer is great, and they'll ship it to you.

By: hydrophonic

hydrophonic — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:50:43 -0800

I had a Sprecher with lunch, and my disappointed follow-up is that in spite of the real Wisconsin honey, HFCS is the second ingredient.

By: annoyance

annoyance — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:39:54 -0800

i guess i am coming to this late, but i also review root beers so may be of some help. being in Portlans you actually have quite a few options that are only available at breweries there. check out my Availability page for OR for a bunch. i am rather envious as i will never try those i am sure.
anywa, some good suggestions here.
Bulldog is excellent. as is Steelhead, another by the same company

if you are up for mail order, i would get a case of Weepign Radish. very simple recipe but very very good.

you can probably get some Sparky's near by or else order some of that.

it is a bit difficult to suggest things as people's taste vary so much, you can order a mixed case from Pop Soda and see what you like.

good luck! i'd be happy to trade sodas too if you ever want to.