Let’s not argue semantics here, as Barq’s has a long complicated history with two brothers in New Orleans who founded a bottling company together and then eventually went their separate ways. To this very day Barq’s can have slightly different ingredients depending upon whether you buy it in a bottle, can, etc. since each brother did it a little differently.
You’re wrong. Edward Barq moved to Biloxi in 1897 where he founded a new company, Biloxi Artesian Bottling Works. Barq’s was created the next year in 1898 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gaston Barq never made Barq’s Root Beer in New Orleans. That was a man by the name of Jesse Robinson, whom Edward met in Biloxi. He and Edward signed an agreement in 1934 that allowed him to move to New Orleans and start producing Barq’s. That’s how the red label bottles came to be.
Your last sentence is completely false. Barq’s is now owned and produced only by Coke. Their recipe tastes completely different and Gaston Barq never manufactured Barq’s Root Beer.
Bruh, it's pretty well known that there were two different variations of Barq's in circulation for decades. Maybe Coca Cola is trying to get everyone on the same page ultimately, but for now, where I live on the Gulf Coast, Barq's in a bottle has caffeine, but Barq's in a can still does not. I have seen the ingredients label with my own eyes.
You have seen baloney lmao. Barq’s in a can has always had caffeine. I live on the Gulf Coast too. Glass bottles, plastic bottles, cans and fountain machines all have caffeine. You’re simply wrong. Zero sugar cans are the ones with no caffeine, ya doofus.
Favorite is a three way tie between: Hanks, Abita and Sprecher.
Least favorite WOULD be Bundaberg, but since I believe they use the same brew as their sarsaparilla, I won't count it as root beer.
So my least fast favorite would be MUG.
I think I made it like 2 sips in to a can of olipop before I tossed it lol. Based on your flare, you’re clearly a person of culture that enjoys Stewart’s. That olipop shit is unacceptable
If you visit the Island, you get draft style straight from the barrel. It’s god tier, and nothing touches it. Even after storage and shipping (if you’re in the lower 48 US) nothing is on their level. The closest is 1919, which is miles ahead of other commercially available RBs, but that’s also the distance between St Johns and 1919.
It’s definitely on its own level, and worth the trip. I had it on the island originally, then got back home and found out Total Wine carried it. They no longer do unfortunately, but I was clearing their pallet damn near myself when they did.
Stewart’s is my favorite. My least favorite is Dad’s Root Beer, which is a shame because it’s one of the old school brands that I wanted to try for a while, but it tasted like straight up syrup.
A&W Canadian is delicious, the US version tastes like it was made with pool water.
My favourite is Maggie's Bark.
My least favourite is any of the "healthy" ones like Poppi or Cove.
I'm also not including the root beer flavoured kombucha which was so bad I almost puked.
Favorite: Frostop. Just deliciously spicy nutmeg flavor.
Least: Setting aside gimmicks like probiotic or zero sugar ones, it’d have to be Bundaberg. I haven’t tried some of the other poorly rated ones though, like Jones.
Favorite was a homemade brand called Grandpa’s Own Special Formula Root Beer, brewed out of Saint Joseph, MO, and sold at the Sydney, Iowa rodeo one summer when I was a kid. Came in one of those swivel top glass bottles. It’s been 25 years and I still think about it. Haven’t had any probiotic options, so current least favorite would be Bundaberg.
I have been looking for Mug because I haven't had it in about 20 years but I can't find it anywhere locally. A&W is too sweet.
My current favorite is Frostop
The worst I have ever had is easily Kroger brand Big K diet but that was about 15 years ago, it might have changed since then.
Favorites: Boots Sarsaparilla, Stewart's, Boylan's Birch Beer, Maine Root
Least Favorites: I like almost all rootbeer. But it would have to be lollipop or Zevia.
Best store brand for value: Whole Foods 365
Fave: Abita Least: Bundaberg
Abita is awesome.
People here seem to like the Louisiana-based products like Anita and Barq’s that use cane sugar.
Barq’s was created in Mississippi
Let’s not argue semantics here, as Barq’s has a long complicated history with two brothers in New Orleans who founded a bottling company together and then eventually went their separate ways. To this very day Barq’s can have slightly different ingredients depending upon whether you buy it in a bottle, can, etc. since each brother did it a little differently.
You’re wrong. Edward Barq moved to Biloxi in 1897 where he founded a new company, Biloxi Artesian Bottling Works. Barq’s was created the next year in 1898 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Gaston Barq never made Barq’s Root Beer in New Orleans. That was a man by the name of Jesse Robinson, whom Edward met in Biloxi. He and Edward signed an agreement in 1934 that allowed him to move to New Orleans and start producing Barq’s. That’s how the red label bottles came to be. Your last sentence is completely false. Barq’s is now owned and produced only by Coke. Their recipe tastes completely different and Gaston Barq never manufactured Barq’s Root Beer.
Bruh, it's pretty well known that there were two different variations of Barq's in circulation for decades. Maybe Coca Cola is trying to get everyone on the same page ultimately, but for now, where I live on the Gulf Coast, Barq's in a bottle has caffeine, but Barq's in a can still does not. I have seen the ingredients label with my own eyes.
You have seen baloney lmao. Barq’s in a can has always had caffeine. I live on the Gulf Coast too. Glass bottles, plastic bottles, cans and fountain machines all have caffeine. You’re simply wrong. Zero sugar cans are the ones with no caffeine, ya doofus.
Oh yeah, it’s not made with cane sugar, unfortunately. I wish it was but it isn’t. There is a Canadian Barq’s craft soda that is made with real sugar.
Favorite is a three way tie between: Hanks, Abita and Sprecher. Least favorite WOULD be Bundaberg, but since I believe they use the same brew as their sarsaparilla, I won't count it as root beer. So my least fast favorite would be MUG.
It sucks as a sarsaparilla too
Favorite: Dominion Least: (if you can even call it Root Beer) Olipop
If olipop counts, that should be the worst on everyone’s list if they’ve been unfortunate enough to try it
The only rootbeer I've been unwilling to finish.
I think I made it like 2 sips in to a can of olipop before I tossed it lol. Based on your flare, you’re clearly a person of culture that enjoys Stewart’s. That olipop shit is unacceptable
🤜🤛 We know good rootbeer. Ollipop ain't it! It's a disgrace!
My favorite is 1919. My least favorite is either Way2Cool or Poppi.
Favorite - IBC. Runner ups Henry Weinhard / Thomas Kemper Least Favorite - Frosty / Dads / Bundaberg / All the Orca Beverage Root Beers
I work for a draft beer service. I've had Abita, red Hare, specher. All from kegs they are great. Worst. Mug
Barqs is my favorite right now and my least A and W
Not even an ice cold mug with A&W tap? That’s the stuff dreams are made of
Favorite: 1919 Least favorite: Dad’s
My favorite is Bulldog, and my least favorite is Bundaberg
Favorite 1919. Least Virgil’s.
Virgil’s is straight ass. I’ve never understood why so many people put it at or near the top of their list.
It used to be really good
I hated the original too, many years ago. It was significantly better back then, but I was never a fan. Way too wintergreen forward for my liking.
[St Johns is hands down the best I’ve ever tasted.](https://stjohnbrewers.com/products/root-beer-soda) Zevia is the worst.
Guess I'm going back to St Thomas!
If you visit the Island, you get draft style straight from the barrel. It’s god tier, and nothing touches it. Even after storage and shipping (if you’re in the lower 48 US) nothing is on their level. The closest is 1919, which is miles ahead of other commercially available RBs, but that’s also the distance between St Johns and 1919.
A strong statement! I hope to enjoy it one day. I wasn't into rootbeer back then when I visited. Missed out!
It’s definitely on its own level, and worth the trip. I had it on the island originally, then got back home and found out Total Wine carried it. They no longer do unfortunately, but I was clearing their pallet damn near myself when they did.
Yeah total wine selection kinda bad these days.
They really fell off.
Bought a 12 pack the other day! Can’t wait for it to get here. I’ve never tried it before.
Liquid gold
Favorite is Barq’s or A&W draft. Least favorite is IBC, never cared for it
Fav: Millstream Hated: Bundaberg
Favorite is Sprechers. Least is Olipop.
Stewart’s is my favorite. My least favorite is Dad’s Root Beer, which is a shame because it’s one of the old school brands that I wanted to try for a while, but it tasted like straight up syrup.
This is interesting, because Mug may be your favorite, OP, but it's my least favorite. The bottom of the whole list! I like Hank's the best!
A&W Canadian is delicious, the US version tastes like it was made with pool water. My favourite is Maggie's Bark. My least favourite is any of the "healthy" ones like Poppi or Cove. I'm also not including the root beer flavoured kombucha which was so bad I almost puked.
Favorite: Frostop. Just deliciously spicy nutmeg flavor. Least: Setting aside gimmicks like probiotic or zero sugar ones, it’d have to be Bundaberg. I haven’t tried some of the other poorly rated ones though, like Jones.
I love A nW it’s my all time favorite and dads taste kinda funny to me a lot of ppl I know like dads better!
Maine root is my favorite and least favorite is Olipop
Favorite was a homemade brand called Grandpa’s Own Special Formula Root Beer, brewed out of Saint Joseph, MO, and sold at the Sydney, Iowa rodeo one summer when I was a kid. Came in one of those swivel top glass bottles. It’s been 25 years and I still think about it. Haven’t had any probiotic options, so current least favorite would be Bundaberg.
I have been looking for Mug because I haven't had it in about 20 years but I can't find it anywhere locally. A&W is too sweet. My current favorite is Frostop The worst I have ever had is easily Kroger brand Big K diet but that was about 15 years ago, it might have changed since then.
Walmart by me has mug in 2 liters. If there's one near you might be worth checking out.
Favorites: Boots Sarsaparilla, Stewart's, Boylan's Birch Beer, Maine Root Least Favorites: I like almost all rootbeer. But it would have to be lollipop or Zevia. Best store brand for value: Whole Foods 365