Sioux City Root Beer

Brand: Sioux City
Brewed in: Whitestone, NY
Where to find: TJ Max, Cracker Barrel, Marshalls & Home Goods (I'm not sure if this is nationwide, but at least here in the Philadelphia tri-state area it holds true in these stores)
Website: http://www.siouxcitybeverages.com/

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Packaging/Label: I love embossed root beer bottles. Who doesn't? They transport ya in time to the days of the Old West and make ya feel like a real cowboy... a real bronco buster... cowpuncher... buckaroo... rootin' tootin' son-of-a-gun! Sioux City really makes up for the boring illustration of an old man with a gun on his lap cowboy holding the teeny-tiniest mug of root beer in the whole United States by using these bottles.

Aroma: Strong and sweet; While i don't see anything about honey in this brew (although it lists "artificial and natural flavors"), it sure does smell like it plays a big part.

Bite: Light

Flavor: Very "classic" tasting. There's nothing fancy about this brew but there's nothing to dislike. I can keep this short: slightly sweet, a little wintergreen-y, no aftertaste and very smooth.

Should you buy it? Sioux City is a very drinkable root beer. You won't be blown away but it's a very stereotypical, reliable flavor that you can keep in stock.

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Additional Notes: This is distributed by the same company who handles Olde Brooklyn, so I expected a very similar root beer just in different packaging. While it's still an average root beer, it is a very different (and overall better) brew.


Overall Rating:

Olde Brooklyn Williamsburg Root Beer

Brand: Olde Brooklyn
Brewed in: Whitestone, NY
Where to find: TJ Max, Cracker Barrel, Marshalls & Home Goods (I'm not sure if this is nationwide, but at least here in the Philadelphia tri-state area it holds true in these stores)
Website: http://www.whiterockbeverages.com/OldeBrooklyn.cfm

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Packaging/Label: In case you're wondering, the recipe for win is as follows: clear, readable layout, olde timey fonts, clean illustration and a bottle cap that was fully embraced as part of the whole package! You know what I love most about this packaging though, right? The inclusion of root beer barrel graphics, naturally. This damn thing is just fun to look at.

Aroma: A light, sweet, stereotypical scent. This is the scent of root beer flavored treats.

Bite: I expected this to be pretty flat by looks, but I was caught off guard - this bite is a solid medium, I'd say.

Flavor: You can taste the cane sugar right off the bat but don't get the wrong impression - it's not overly sweet. Licorice flavor is the most prominent out of the "artificial and natural flavorings" but it doesn't overpower the taste. It's countered by the infusion of cinnamon. Overall, this brand doesn't stand out over any others for better or for worse, but no apparent aftertaste is a bonus!

Should you buy it? This is an average, drinkable root beer and it's super cheap (four pack for $2.50 thanks to Marshalls/Home Goods). You can't beat that kinda price, but it's not a brand I'd want more than a four-pack of at any one time.

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Additional Notes: N/A


Overall Rating:

Charles "The Man" Hires

One-hundred-and-forty-four years ago today, May 16th, a man named Charles Hires invented what we know today as Root Beer. While on his honeymoon. In New Jersey. Priorities, ya know?

Thank you, Chuck! We will forever hold our frosty mugs to you in gratitude.