Thomas Kemper Root Beer

Brand: Thomas Kemper
Brewed in: Portland,OR
Where to find: West Coast
Website: www.tksoda.com

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Packaging/Label: Classic. That all i should have to say but, of course, I can't just leave it there. It is a streamlined, bold design that harkens back to it's vintage beer label brethren. The typography is top notch, the color palette is the embodiment of root beer, the use of subtle wooden distress in the backdrop is a nice touch, and the little bee illustration you'll find hidden in the label and on the bottle cap is really insanely well rendered. I find any company who puts so much care into well-designed packaging like this, puts tenfold into the product their selling.

Aroma: Great, subtle scent; Honey is the prime note.

Bite: Light but maintains steady throughout the drink.

Flavor: The flavoring is light (note: not weak but light) and incredibly creamy & smooth with only a very slight spicy aftertaste. Honey is the main flavor, but vanilla works its way in there with the cane sugar. It's a solid, very drinkable root beer.

Should you buy it? Without hesitation!

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Additional Notes:

Thomas Kemper is by no means a heavy drink that will take on the roll of becoming a snack in itself which some root beers can become - In fact, I don't think I've ever finished off a bottle so quickly without realizing it before!

Overall Rating:

Capt'n Eli's Root Beer

Brand: Capt'n Eli's 
Brewed in: Portland, ME
Where to find: Northeastern states, sporadically nationwide
Website: www.captneli.com

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Packaging/Label: Solid labeling; A great illustration is the primary focus with nice use of typography. Everything reads clearly and to the point - and I really like the use of texture in the design. The bottle cap, by the way? Super cool! A small part player from the label (re: the parrot) who's also used as this brand's logo is redrawn on the cap in a rad comic style.

Aroma: Sugary and wintergreen-y

Bite: Sharp but mild

Flavor: This is a creamy root beer with a blend of spices that all work well together in creating a unique taste. Among some other flavors that I can't quite pinpoint, vanilla and wintergreen are two that jump out the most and stay throughout each entire sip. I have a huge sweet tooth and, while this is really pretty sweet (which is a quality I personally love), I don't think it's over-the-top for those of you born without.

Should you buy it? Absolutely! It's a unique tasting, very drinkable brew.

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Additional Notes:

The more I drink this root beer, the more I like it! This company has something really unique going for it besides just it's flavor - they have a graphic novel! That's right, Capt'n Eli is your main character and, "created in the tradition of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, this is the story of a boy with extraordinary scientific abilities and unusual ties to the sea."

Overall Rating:

Sprecher Root Beer

 

Brand: Sprecher Root Beer
Brewed in: Glendale, WI
Where to find: Sporadically nationwide, heavily in the Midwest
Website: www.sprecherbrewery.com/

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Packaging/Label: I! love! this! logo! Initially, I was taken back to my childhood because their character reminded me of some old cartoon crows or blackbirds - BUT, upon closer inspection with my wife, we realized: that's no bird, that's a GRIFFIN. Way to up the rad by 110, Sprecher. Honoring your heritage AND incorporating the style of Saturday morning cartoons? You've reeled me in. They've got character and with a heftier weight and a larger diameter than your average soda bottle, it's not only fun to look at but it's a fun bottle to hold, too.

Aroma: Slightly sweet and honeylicious

Bite: Mild, short-lived bite

Flavor: Sprecher is a very smooth, creamy, classic root beer with hints of honey and vanilla. No one spice or ingredient overpowers another and overall they come together to form one distinct flavor. There's a mild, spicy aftertaste that reminds me of Sweetzals spiced wafers, and, in fact, I think the two together might make one perfect snack.

Should you buy it? If you see a bottle, snag it! If anything, I'd buy this again to use as a security device.

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Additional Notes:

For once, I think I covered everything in the previous sections! But I'd also like to throw in the notion that this root beer tastes like what root beer treats strive to be. It reminds me of root beer snow cone flavoring, especially, and that's something I can raise my mug to!

Overall Rating: