The Daily Biff - 2007 06 04

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Mon, 04 Jun 2007

Beverage Review: Root Beer: Americana

Brand:	Americana
Score:	95
Availability:	Bellevue QFC, Larry's, online

There are literally hundreds of different brands of root beer. One web site lists 2000+ brands of root beer. Though I haven't tried more than about 60 different brands, I feel like I've tried enough of a variety to establish some credible ratings.

As with my ginger ale ratings, I'm going to lead off my root beer reviews with what I think is the best root beer brand available on the market today... Americana.

Americana teases the nose with a beautiful, rich, rooty bouquet. The carbonation is not overbearing and only produces a small head when poured into a chilled glass. Americana root beer is very dark; once placed in a glass, you cannot see through it. The taste is also very dark with a wonderful blend of sassafras, licorice, and vanilla. There is only enough sugar added to make the Americana root beer just a tad sweeter than bitter. It finishes magnificently and leaves your tongue probing your teeth and lips for just a few more drops of the divine flavor.

Americana is microcrafted here locally (in Redmond), but it is still hard to find. My local QFC used to carry it, but does not now. I was then going down to the Issaquah QFC to buy it... they have stopped stocking it too. The Bellevue QFC (by Bellevue Square) currently is the only QFC I have found that stocks Americana. I talked with the soda pop buyer at the Bellevue QFC today ("Nate") and he told me that the Americana product is hard to stock with regularity so they have decided to just offer it at a few stores. He assured me that as long as they can get it from the distributor, QFC will stock it... he said it is a fairly popular item. While I was at the Bellevue QFC today, I cleaned out their stock - just 8 bottles. You can order Americana on-line, but it will cost about $3 per bottle (including shipping)... ouch

If you can find it, Americana Root Beer is well worth the price - it is a splendid beverage. I have found many brands that approach Americana's greatness, but none so far are its equal.

(Update Sun Jun 24 19:10:37 PDT 2007 // fixed grammar)

:: Posted by rus on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 4:30 pm
:: Filed under /reviews/beverages/root_beer

[1 comment] [permanent link]

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