Northern Soda Company's Vanilla Bean Root Beer

I opened this during class today:

 

Brand: Northern Soda Company's Vanilla Bean Root Beer.

Origin: Arden Hills, MN.

Purchase Place: Remix, St. Paul, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: This was interesting from the first sip. Something about "vanilla bean" made me think it would be a bit smooth and creamy, but it wasn't - there's a slight sharpness to it. It made me pause, but it's not bad! There's also a slight fruitiness to it as well. This was very unique!

In the end, the "vanilla bean" flavor DOES come through, but not before a fruity flavor as well. At VERY first sip, I thought I wasn't going to like this, but even by the end of that first sip, I was on board. This is unique, both smooth and sharp, and has a great flavor.

Score: 8 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!

Sprecher Vanilla Root Beer

My wife brought this home from Menards (LOVE HER) for me today: 

Brand: Sprecher Vanilla Root Beer.

Origin: Glendale, WI.

Purchase Place: Menards, St. Paul, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: This had a very vanilla scent, and a very vanilla flavor. I didn't love it, but couldn't put my finger on "why" right away. Then I realized what was bothering me: I equate "vanilla" with "smooth," but this had a fair amount of bite after that initial vanilla flavor. It was just an odd combo.  

Score: 6 out of 10.

Whistler Vanilla Root Beer

I opened this yesterday afternoon:

Brand: Whistler Vanilla Root Beer.

Origin: Spring Lake Park, MN.

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

Sweetener: Sugar.

Review: Like my last 2 Whistler sodas (this one and this one), this one was completely flat. I have a few more Whistlers in the basement, and I think I need to dump them down the drain - I don't think they hold their seal for very long. I may have to stop back to Blue Sun Soda and pick up a few more, but ONLY ones that I can drink over a month. Because this sucks.

That being said, the flavor was good. Nice vanilla flavor, and a deep root beer flavor. I'll give it a 7, but it could have been an 8 or 9 had their been any sign of carbonation. Like I said, I'll have to try a "fresh" one of these and pick up a few more Whistler sodas sometime.

Score: 7 out of 10.

Dead World Slow Decay Vanilla Root Beer

I just cracked into my first soda from my stop at the "soda tasting" at Blue Sun Soda this past weekend:

Makes sense to me.

Brand: Dead World Slow Decay Vanilla Root Beer.

Origin: Detroit, MI.

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

Sweetener: Pure Cane Sugar.

Review: This was strong on the vanilla, but pretty good overall. The root beer flavor was on the sweeter side, but not so much that it was offensive. Pretty good for a "novelty" soda!

Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Frostie Vanilla Root Beer

Time for a root beer:

Brand: Frostie Vanilla Root Beer.

Origin: Detroit, MI.

Purchase Place: Frattallones Ace Hardware, St. Paul, MN.

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: This was really sweet and sugary. It tasted a lot like the root beer that's left in your mug after you finish your ice cream from a root beer float. But it had an extra butterscotch flavor to it as well. It was OK if you like what I just described. I thought it was just alright and nothing special, so I'll give it about an average score.

Score: 6 out 10.
 

Druthers Black Cow Vanilla Creme Root Beer

I thought I'd try some vanilla creme root beer yesterday:

Brand: Druthers Black Cow Vanilla Creme Root Beer.

Origin: Oglesby, Illinois.

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

Sweetener: High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Review: This was really smooth. It was strong on the vanilla (as the name implies), and it was good! It didn't have a ton of carbonation, and it had just a slightly "off" aftertaste, but other than that, it was better than average. Good, smooth, vanilla flavor! I'd love to try some of their other sodas.

Score: 8 out of 10.

Barrel Brothers Creamy Vanilla Root Beer

This bottle said "Creamy Vanilla Root Beer," and I liked the sound of that:

From the first sip, this was one of the smoothest root beers I've had in a long time. It was so smooth that even though I was just planning on having a little and saving most of it for after I got my son in bed, I found myself with half the bottle chugged in no time. If you like "bite," this is NOT the root beer for you. The recipe for this root beer seemed to be this:

- 1 part root beer
- 1 part cream soda
- 1 part left over root beer after having a root beer float

If that sounds good to you, try this ASAP.


Brand: Barrel Brothers Creamy Vanilla Root Beer.

Origin: Salt Lake City, UT.

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

Sweetener: High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Review: This was REALLY good. It was super smooth with no bite. The vanilla was pronounced and tasty. As I said above, it tasted like equal parts root beer, cream soda, and vanilla ice cream infused root beer. If you want bite, this is NOT for you... but if you like your sodas smooth, go find Barrel Brothers Root Beer.

Oh, and as I was enjoying this, I saw on the bottle that it was made by the same people that make Apple Beer (which I just discovered a few weeks ago)! THIS IS A GOOD COMPANY!

Score: 9.5 out of 10!