Northern Soda Company Butter Scotch Root Beer

I brought this to work with me earlier this week: 

 

Brand: Northern Soda Company Butter Scotch Root Beer.

Origin: Arden Hills, MN.

Purchase Place: Remix, St. Paul, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: This is another soda from my Father's Day variety pack my wife got me from the delicious Remix down the street (click here for a recent post about Remix, and click here for the first time I checked them out). I'm kind of torn on butterscotch flavored things: sometimes it feels too heavy and gross, but other times it's a nice and smooth addition. I tend to like it in a root beer when it's subtle.

But most "butterscotch root beers" aren't too subtle with the butterscotch. And this one was no exception. The butterscotch flavor is quite good and smooth and tasty, but it's just a bit too heavy for my taste. I can barely taste any "root beer" - it's generally just "butterscotch." It's not as extreme as some butterscotch root beers that I've had, but I still wish it was a bit lighter on the butterscotch. It wasn't horrible by any means, so I'll rank this right in the middle...

Score: 5 out of 10.

A 'Root Beer Variety Pack'

When we stopped by Remix for some shave ice, I noted that I spotted a variety pack of root beer. Well my wife grabbed it as an extra Father's Day present for me:

The "variety pack" on our counter!

The 6 sodas inside. (The "regular" root beer has a printed can, but the rest are stickers on a plain can.)

I'll be back with reviews on all of these over the next few weeks! I can't wait!

Labrador Root Beer Butterscotch Soda

I was downloading files at one of the colleges where I teach this afternoon, and I brought this with me: 

Nuthin' says "champion of the USA" like a shotgun shell!  ;)

     

Brand: Labrador Root Beer Butterscotch Soda.

Origin: Camarillo, CA.

Purchase Place: Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: At first sniff, the butterscotch was subtle, so I started thinking this might be decent. And I was right! The butterscotch isn't overpowering, and the root beer is really smooth and really creamy. It's a bit strong on the wintergreen, but that wasn't a horrible thing here - I think it balances out the butterscotch a bit. My only possible complaint is that it could be TOO creamy. It's NOT a traditional root beer, but it tasted pretty good. Worth a try!

Score: 8 out of 10.

Butterscotch Cream Soda Better Brew Wizards Ale

I opened this while doing some grading earlier today: 

Brand: Butterscotch Cream Soda Better Brew Wizards Ale.

Origin: Spring Lake Park, MN.

Purchase Place: Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN.

Sweetener: Sugar.

Review: This is another soda that is bottled at Blue Sun Soda - I don't know how many "companies" they have now! And the flavor delivers: this is a creamy, smooth, very butterscotch-y. I would TRULY call this a "butterscotch cream" as it's way creamier than just a butterscotch soda. Smooth, flavorful, and would be good with ice cream! I'm not CRAZY about butterscotch, but if you are, you'll love this.

Score: 7 out of 10.

Dad-Gum-It! Cream Butterscotch

I opened this tonight after working outside:

Brand: Dad-Gum-It! Cream Butterscotch

Origin: Camarillo, CA

Purchase Place: Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar

Review: When I popped the bottle cap, I got a huge whiff of butterscotch candies. I was impressed, and I was hopeful. And it didn't taste too bad! It sure was better than their "Root Beer Butterscotch," so that was good. It still had a slightly off aftertaste (or maybe more specifically "later" in the taste but just before an "aftertaste"), but it wasn't too egregious.

Also, it doesn't really need the word "cream" in the name. One would assume that something liquid and butterscotch flavored would be creamy. It's not soooo creamy that it warrants the title of CREAM Butterscotch. IMHO.

This calls for higher points for a unique flavor, but then that gets lowered down a bit because of the slightly weird aftertaste. But a decent butterscotch soda that was fun to sip on a hot evening.

Score: 6.5 out of 10.
 

Farmer's Brew Butterscotch Root Beer

Sorry, I haven't posted this month yet! I've had this soda sitting in the fridge for the past 4-5 weeks, and I finally opened it up today:

Brand: Farmer's Brew Butterscotch Root Beer

Origin: Shawano, WI.

Purchase Place: Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN.

Sweetener: Sugar.

Review: I like butterscotch. And I like root beer. But often, the 2 flavors don't mix that well. I could really only taste the butterscotch here, as it tasted like a "butterscotch soda" (or maybe a "butterscotch cola"). It just wasn't something I enjoyed. I feel bad, because there wasn't something I HATED about it. I just didn't like it.

Score: 3.5 out of 10.

Dad-Gum-It! Root Beer Butterscotch

I opened this last night, and my wife and I both had similar (undesirable) reactions:

Brand: Dad-Gum-It! Root Beer Butterscotch

Origin: Camarillo, CA

Purchase Place: "Minnesota's Largest Candy Store," Jordan, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: This tasted a bit like rancid root beer. It's so sweet that there's almost a bite from over-sweetness. I don't taste much of the butterscotch. I have another Dad-Gum-It soda in the basement, and this makes me not excited to try it.

Score: 3 out of 10.

Ramblin' Butterscotch Root Beer

I opened this during my boys' nap time today:

Brand: Ramblin' Butterscotch Root Beer.

Origin: Atlanta, GA.

Purchase Place: Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN.

Sweetener: Sugar.

Review: This wasn't great. It was OK, but a bit "chemically." The butterscotch was overpowering and a bit too much. It just didn't impress me and wasn't that good. You MIGHT like it if you REALLY like butterscotch, but that's about the only good thing I can say about this.

Score: 3 out of 10.

AJ Stephans Butterscotch Root Beer

I was stuck at home with a sick kindergartener yesterday, so I cracked into this while he was resting:

Brand: AJ Stephans Butterscotch Root Beer.

Origin: Orange, MA.

Purchase Place: Blue Sun Soda, Spring Lake Park, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar

Review: This wasn't bad. It wasn't great, either, but it wasn't bad. The butterscotch flavor is nice and smooth, and that helps smooth out the root beer flavor too. Overall, it was quite creamy. I've never been a huge fan of butterscotch root beer, but if that sounds appealing to you, then check this out!

Score: 5 out of 10.

O-So Butterscotch Root Beer

I was curious, so I tried this recently:

Brand: O-So Butterscotch Root Beer.

Origin: Mukilteo, WA.

Purchase Place: Frattallone's Ace Hardware, St. Paul, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: This was HEAVY on the butterscotch. It had the smoothness and creaminess of a root beer, but the flavor was about 90% butterscotch. Ideally (for me), a butterscotch root beer would taste about 20% butterscotch and 80% root beer. If you REALLY like butterscotch, then try this because you'll love it. If you just think butterscotch is OK (like me), then this could be too much for you.

Score: 3.5 out of 10.

Dang That's Good Butterscotch Root Beer

With a brand name like this, it had BETTER be good...

Brand: Dang That's Good Butterscotch Root Beer.

Origin: Milwaukee, WI.

Purchase Place: Frattallone's Ace Hardware, Burnsville, MN.

Sweetener: Sugar.

Review: This was pretty tasty. The root beer and the butterscotch flavor were both a bit subtle and smooth. If you like butterscotch and root beer (separately), I think you'll enjoy this. It's not over-powering or offensive.

Score: 7 out of 10.