i am not sure when this switch happened, but i recall when i first reviewed Boylan’s Root Beer many years ago and not enjoying it much at all. in the intervening years i have had it again, often because well meaning friends got some for me or i grabbed some to bring to a party or whatever as it was the only cold root beer available. and i thought it was not all that bad. so probably i have actually had this before, but i never cross checked the ingredients to find out if it was different.
yup, this is rather good in fact! if i was blindfolded i think i would guess this is a brown birch beer even. it has that growing wintergreen taste to it. it is kind of subtle at first but grows over time to settle in with a nice hint on your tongue. i feel like it is about 30 seconds after i finish a wintergreen life saver each time i take a sip and wait about ten seconds. that is a pleasant way to go out. now, if you don’t like wintergreen, you might not like this too much. but you might since it is not a huge punch in the face of wintergreen taste. this is a pretty mellow drink, quite smooth and sweet. it goes down well. yet it is a bit unique, finding a niche between root beer and birch beer in my mind that is rather tasty.
Anthony’s Rating: 88
User’s Rating: 45
# of ratings:1
Log in to rate & save your personal root beer list!
| Type: | Root Beer | Comes In: | 12oz glass bottle |
| Available: | AZ, CA, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, VA, WA, WI, online | Obtained in: | Rocket Fizz |
| Head: | Medium | Sweetener: | cane sugar |
| Calories: | 170 | Sodium: | 35mg |
| Carbs: | 42g | Sugar: | 42g |
| Caffeine: | No | ||
| Website: | http://www.boylanbottling.com | ||
Ingredients: carbonated water, cane sugar, natural and artificial flavors, caramel color, sodium benzoate (preserves freshness), citric acid
Anthony, you and I are both in the same boat on this one. I used to think Boylan root beer was ‘meh’… but after trying it again recently… I’m almost led to believe they changed their recipe for the better…..either that, or my taste buds have been re-calibrated LOL. The main thing they have going for this flavor IMO is that they have a really nice “nostalgic” NECCO wafer flavor to it. I love it! Reminds me of the NECCO clove or licorice candy…. or maybe like you say… wintergreen. It just goes down so smoothly. 12 years ago I didn’t ever want to buy this. Now I’ll buy a case of this stuff. I give it 2 points above you…. a 90/100. They stepped their game up. It’s not too sweet. It goes down easy. It doesn’t have a overly bitter flavor. I tried in a float and was ok; however, is best just by itself.
And…. after buying a case of this stuff, all I can say is this is probably the #1 root beer for me. Love the Lifesaver wintergreen flavor/Necco wafer flavor. Tastes so freaking good! Some birchiness too….. tastes a lot like their birch beer. Moved it up to a 95. It is just the most satisfying soda I can think to drink of, even when I’m not that thirsty. So smooth and spicy. Am I picking up notes of root beer flavored candy in here too? I don’t know, but they have definitely improved upon this flavor. Thanks Boylans!