Big Ben’s Sarsaparilla

so i finally broke down and figured i would probably not get to make a road trip to PA anytime soon in a quest for the rest of the Big Ben’s sodas i had not had. so i mail ordered them. they only mail order the 20 oz plastic bottles though which is a bit of a shame as the glass bottles they use are awesome, re-used and collected from old bottlers, some are 50+ years old! but i can understand not shipping those off as they need them back. of course i would rather not drink from plastic when possible though. strangely, this flavor is not one you can get in glass though so take that as you will. another thing annoying here is that the carbonation level of all of the bottles i have had so far is very very low. i want to hear that fizz, the gas escape, it makes me happy. i don’t get that here.
i find it strange that there is no flavoring listed in the ingredients. i am guessing the “natural and artificial color” should be “natural and artificial flavor” though. i suppose this is officially titled “Fast Draw Sarsaparilla” to try to draw in some of that cowboy allure. yet the “Fast Draw” part is in a very small font so i doubt it would have a lot of effect anyway. this tastes like a sarsaparilla to me. it is similar to root beer, but different, more herbal, verging on medicinal but in a good way. it just tastes more earthy and natural although i am sure it is not. some anise is detectable but not overpowering. the lack of carbonation does bother me a bit and the flavor is not amazing although it is good. i don’t regret getting it at all and will happily drink the others i got. the world needs more sarsaparillas and small soda bottlers so i am happy to support these guys and gals.

Anthony’s Rating: 82
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Ingredients: carbonated water, sugar and/or corn sweetener, natural and artificial color, caramel, citric acid, and preserved with sodium benzoate