Besides the occasional Sprite that I’m somehow craving on a hot summer day, nothing says refreshing or delicious quite like an ice cold root beer. I don’t call myself a soda drinker as I don’t typically partake in the sugary fat people maker that is soda. I do, however, call myself a root beer drinker. Lets look at the word root beer as the first reason why you should drink it – it has the word beer in it. While you may think root beer is always non-alcoholic, our friends over at Wikipedia reveal quite the opposite, serving up some delicious information on both the non-alcoholic and alcoholic varietals.
As you can obviously tell, root beer really puts my taste buds in a frenzy. Lets look at what I consider the great debate of the mainstream root beer world. However, there are quite a few “micro brew” root beers out there which would probably win this debate hands down.
Today’s debate puts Barqs root beer up against the traditional powerhouse of A&W.
Barq’s
Lets take Barq’s first. On first look Barq’s is obviously the winner. Check out this can! No, not an ass my friends, the Barq’s root beer can. First of all, we are talking “olde tyme” root beer here. And we are talking since 1898! I’m pretty sure a lot of crazy things were happening back in 1898 like a bunch of settlers drinking some Barq’s.
If the visual appeal hasn’t won you over, lets talk flavor. Barq’s is that kind of root beer that will make you burp. Not only is it gonna make you burp, its gonna make you feel it. Barq’s strong carbonated flavor makes you get that feeling in your nose from a serious burp. I don’t know how to describe this other than a teary eyed, ear drum bursting, fizzy burp that leaves you wanting more. Barq’s is less sweet than its competitor but offers that bite that is its slogan – “Barq’s Has Bite”. The biggest plus side of the Barq’s root beer is the caffeine packed within its aluminum. On a personal note, I remember drinking Barq’s as a kid with my grandpa. He owned this sweet machine tool business where the only root beer option was Barq’s. Perhaps nostalgia has me leaning toward this delicious sassafras concoction over its competitor.
A&W
Now I said that Barq’s was visually appealing but…A&W – well done! (oh, well done with owning rootbeer.com – that’s pretty slick A&W) This can looks like a frothy root beer! Its so similar that I might forget to open the can. Only around since 1919, Barq’s wins the longevity contest. However, A&W is a successful brand in the fast food industry as well as their canned beverage offering. Unlike Barq’s which is a Coca-Cola affiliate, A&W is associated with the delicious flavors brought to us from Dr. Pepper/7-UP. I think this might add to the sugar rush that is contained within the root beer as 7-UP is packed with the stuff. Not to mention, A&W supports the non-caffeinated movement.
The sweetness aside, A&W has a delicious foamy head which is reminiscent of your favorite libation. And…AND, nothing is finer than receiving a cold frosty mug with some A&W filled to the rim. The flavor here is a lot more subtle than Barq’s, lacking the bite that you get with a big gulp. However, A&W is assuredly far smoother than Barq’s. I don’t know if this is the thirst quencher that Barq’s is but it surely gets the job done.
and the winner is…
Ok so there is a two part winner here…A&W root beer has been served in what they call “A&W Root Beer Stands” all over the Midwest. While these are now becoming more and more defunct, they are replacing that offering with their A&W fast food restaurants. But, for my money, the A&W Root Beer Stand frosty mug variety of A&W beats Barq’s hands down! This, however, is going to be a hard find on your part. So for that, I think Barq’s is going to take the win. The canned/bottled version of A&W doesn’t live up to the bite and thirst quenching goodness of a Barq’s root beer. The burp, the fizz, the stinging of the nose…that is pure delight! Barq’s takes the cake today but when left with the option of a cold A&W, I’ll take it any day.
Anyone down for some Sioux City Sarsaparilla? Sam Elliot, this one’s for you!
Lost Rhino, a new microbrewery in Ashburn, VA, has a fantastic root beer you can buy by the growler. (http://www.lostrhino.com/home.php).
It is run by the brewers who used to brew at Old Dominion, which apparently also made fantastic root beer.
Get Stewart’s if you’re in upstate NY, VT, some parts of MA, etc. Some gas stations and occasionally a restaurant might have it. Nothing comes close to that IMO – it’s like an IBC with sex injected into it.
A&W for sure.
Anyone who thinks any rootbeer is better than Barq’s is dead to me.
Um IBC is the hands down best root beer.