Filbert's Diet Root Beer

We were recently at a lake in northern MN, and I cracked into this:

On the deck overlooking the lake.

Brand: Filbert's Diet Root Beer.

Origin: Chicago, IL.

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

Sweetener: Sodium Saccharin

Review: This was OK. It was a bit "thin" like most diet sodas, but it also had an unfortunate aftertaste that was a bit chemically or artificial. I'd never had anything with "sodium saccharin" listed as the sweetener, so maybe it was that.

Score: 4 out of 10.

Frosty Root Beer at "The Drive In" in Taylors Falls

Last week, my boys and I were camping along the St. Croix River, and we stopped in for lunch at "The Drive In" in Taylors Falls, MN. You can find it by looking for the 15' spinning Frostop mug:

That's the FROSTIEST mug of root beer I've ever had. Just look at that massive root beer ice berg inside that glass! It was sooo good after a hot hike in Interstate State Park.

Twig's Root Beer

I brought this along on a recent camping trip with my 2 boys:

In front of our little “camper cabin” at Minnesota’s William O’Brien State Park.

Brand: Twig's Root Beer.

Origin: Shawano, WI.

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

Sweetener: Sugar.

Review: This was OK. It was pretty creamy and smooth (which I liked), but there was just a bit too much caramel taste (which I didn’t like). It wasn’t enough to turn me off to it - it was just a bit less desirable because of it. Overall, not bad. I’d have this again.

Score: 6.5 out of 10.


Bonus photo: drinking it inside the porch of the cabin on a breezy day:

Whistler Sarsaparilla

I cracked into this on Sunday:

I suppose it's a bad sign they can't spell "sarsaparilla," right?

Brand: Whistler Sarsaparilla.

Origin: Made in Spring Lake Park, MN.

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

Sweetener: Sugar.

Review: My experience with Whistler has been up and down. And after this (misspelled) soda, it's back up. This was pretty good. The flavor wasn't too deep, and it was a bit subtle. But it was good. Earthy and tasty. It felt "pure" (whatever that means to you). This was very enjoyable.

Score: 8 out of 10.

Virgil's Special Edition Bavarian Nutmeg Root Beer

Sorry for not posting for over 2 weeks. I've been busy with family. I had hoped to try this next root beer on a family trip, but never got a chance. So I opened it up this afternoon at home:

Will I really "swear it's made in heaven?"

Brand: Virgil's Special Edition Bavarian Nutmeg Root Beer.

Origin: Los Angeles, CA.

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

Sweetener: Cane Sugar.

Review: Many years ago, I reviewed "regular" Virgil's Root Beer. And this was much better. The nutmeg was noticeable, but it wasn't overbearing. It was a nice touch. As the label promised, it WAS rich and creamy. (But I didn't swear it was made in heaven.) It was unique without being "weird" (which I was afraid of). Pretty good!

Score: 8 out of 10.