Root Beer!

There's a fascinating article and taste-test of 25 root beers in today's New York Times. (Free registration may, or may not, be required)

Rather than rehash the article or the results, I ask this question: where do you think I'm most likely to find the widest selection of root beers, including some of the more arcane microbrews?

Thanks!

Probably at The Root Beer Museumin Pottsville, PA

Fair enough.

And where do you think I'm likely to find the widest selection of root beers for sale? In the city of Chicago? or nearby?

Gypsy Boy wrote:Fair enough.

And where do you think I'm likely to find the widest selection of root beers for sale? In the city of Chicago? or nearby?

There probably isn't any place that will have a very wide selection, but Treasure Island used to carry a fairly decent sampling of locally brewed Root Beet (Goose Island, Gale Gand, IFC, etc.), and I'd also suggest a visit to Binny's and/or Sam's. I'm not sure if either of the last two carry RB, but my guess is they might. Also, don't forget Filbert's for their house bottled stuff.

Although not in Chicago, I'd also make a visit or call to If's and's or butt's in Dallas. That is exactly the kind of place you are looking for.

stevez wrote:...Treasure Island used to carry a fairly decent sampling of locally brewed Root Beet...

Now THERE'S a brew I'd like to taste!

Thanks for the very helpful response.

Cost Plus World Market has a variety of root beers, although not local ones.

Binny's usually has Point, Goose Island and Sprecher. Possibly more, though I can't remember any more off the top of my head.

Online is your best bet. For $30+shipping you can get bottles of 24 different root beers (and root beerish products) from popsoda.com.

Locally, I've seen the biggest selection at the Jewel in River Forest, on Lake St.

I'd suggest getting the popsoda case and then supplementing it with everything you can find locally. Besides Goose Island and Gale's, there's also Filbert's and a couple cane-sugar microbrews that I've only seen a couple times.

Good luck, and enjoy your test as much as I enjoyed mine.

Oh, and if you order from popsoda, pick up some Dublin Dr. Pepper, some Cricket Cola, and some Moxie as long as you're shelling out for shipping.

gleam wrote:Online is your best bet. For $30+shipping you can get bottles of 24 different root beers (and root beerish products) from popsoda.com.

Oh, and if you order from popsoda, pick up some Dublin Dr. Pepper, some Cricket Cola, and some Moxie as long as you're shelling out for shipping.

Thanks for the tip. Looks like a great thing, BUT: if I read the site correctly, you have no say in/idea of what 24 root beers you're likely to receive. Entirely their choice, in other words. Hmmm....not so sure I'm fonda that.

OTOH, the chance to pick up some Moxie! Gonna have to review their extensive index. Thanks for the lead!

That's correct, it's their pick, but when I got it I only got 6 or so that I'd tried before. Mostly mass market in glass bottles: A&W, Hires, Dad's, IBC, Sprecher, Stewart's. For me, it was worth it.

You can, of course, buy individual bottles of whatever you want:

http://www.popsoda.com/noname.html

But a lot of what's listed is out of stock.

If you want to really do it right, fly to LA and go to Galco's. You can order online from there, too:

http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/browse.cfm?link=1

The root beers that I enjoy the best are:
Berghoff's
Spechters
Barq's

The consistently worst root beer is Pepsico's Mug brand which is just plain awful.

Always love a Good Root Beer. My Dad worked at the last large brewry her in Chicago. Peter Hand Brewry. They Brewed Miester Brau Beer. Miller bought them out to obtain the rights to Miester Brau dietary Beer which is now Miller Lite. Back to Root Beer growing up as a kid I always got to enjoy a Montreals Root Beer with some Miester Brau beer in it for a Cincinnati. Not sure if thats a true Cincinnati but as a kid who cares! You can never get a Root Beer cold enough!!

Last time I was at Sam's Club, I picked up a case of Sprecher for approx. $17. They had quite a bit in stock.

Woodman's in Kenosha (and maybe other locations) is also a good source for Sprecher, where it comes in under $1/bottle, very close to the cost at the brewery itself.

I'm in the school of fresh root beer drinkers, and coincidentally, Mrs. JiLS and enjoyed a great example at the Great Dane in Madison on Saturday. I realize driving to Madison for a root beer would be a major indulgence, but just in case you find yourself there, try them out. They also have 12 or more on-site brewed beers and ales, if you need a reason to stick around.

We love Point root beer around here,
but we get up Green Bay Way, we love to pick up some
Sno-Cap Root beer at Titiletown Brewery- YUM
They also brew their own black cherry, vanilla, orange and some other flavors,
in addition to some some pretty tasty alcoholic brews.

www.titletownbrewing.com

I just visited a great little shop out here in the suburbs -- America's Market. Fascinating stuff -- a blend of old favorites you thought had disappeared (Teaberry gum, for example) to gourmet delights (including meats and sausages from the Elburn Meat Market). They specialize in "unique foods from around the U.S." -- hence the name.

I got chatting with the owner, and he mentioned that they'd had a big root beer tasting event last week. I'm not a big fan of root beer, so I didn't take any particular notice of the range of root beers, but being able to give a tasting suggests some sort of variety. They carry a good number of sodas, including Mexican Coke with sugar, so it seems to hold out hope for your root beer.

You may at least want to call to see if it's worth the drive.

America's Market
9 Huntington Lane
Wheeling, IL 60090
847-850-2563

Todd Schultheis, proprietor

(for those who have attended the French dinners at Berutti's, or who at least know where they were held, this is just around the corner -- next to I Am Siam -- if that helps you place it)

Hello Root Beer looker. I am a person who is actively involved with America's Market. I work there and yes, we did have our first root beer taste off. We carry 23 different root beers. The winner of the taste off was from Louisiana. It is called Abita. We also carry Bull Dog, Boylan's, Dad's, Fitz's, Captain Eli's, Hank's, Henry Winegard, Sprecher, and many more. If you are from the suburbs, we are located in Wheeling. We also have about 80-90 other varieties of glass bottled soda. We look for new suggestions everyday. You can contact us at (847)850-2563. I would like to talk to you. Thank you, Cheryl

Cheryl,

What are your hours? My interest is piqued.

gleam wrote:My interest is piqued.

Double-piqued!

Cafe Matou had an interesting dessert last Saturday(6/28/8). Essentially a root beer float with a shot of Meyer's Rum. The Meyer's gave it an even greater richness. Tasty!

Gypsy Boy - You can find over 20 Root Beers at America's Market in Wheeling. (847) 850-6983
Everything from Bulldog, Abita (winner of the 2008 America's Market Root Beer Tasting), Waialua, Fitz, etc...

Shopkeeper

A few years back, Sam Adams produced a 4-pack of beers similar to those brewed in the late 18th century (some sort of tie-in with the American revolution, I think). One of them was an alcoholic root beer. I... really can't remember it too well, but it was interesting to try at least once. Does anyone else produce a root beer that's alcholic?

I also believe that Two Brothers, in Warrenville, produces a root beer for serving in their brewpub. I'm sure you could get a growler of it to go, if you wanted. According to their website, it's a cinnamon root beer, brewed with 100% cane sugar.

My oh My, it is a wonderful feeling to know there are people out there who get excited over soda pops in the glass bottles. Our hours at the store are Monday thru Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Saturdays, we are opened from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All you soda lovers, if these times do not work out, you can call me at (847)850-2563 and we can talk about a time that is convenient. We carry 110 different sodas, including some diet. We are getting ready to have a root beer float night with Homer's ice cream. Can I pique your interest for that? Thank you, Cheryl

dimples wrote::D My oh My, it is a wonderful feeling to know there are people out there who get excited over soda pops in the glass bottles.

Do you carry Coke from The Netherlands by chance? It's my favorite Coke.

We have the Mexican Coke, which happens to be the best there is!

dimples wrote::D We have the Mexican Coke, which happens to be the best there is!

I do enjoy Mexican Coke, which is readily available around here, but The Nethelands Coke is a different animal. They use pretty much the original formula (minus the cocaine) and it has a different, more herbal, taste. I had a source in Texas, but they have gone out of business.

Well I guess I can make your day by telling you, I think (not to get your hopes up to high) I can get you the Netherlands Coke. I will be at the store tomorrow (July 3rd) and let me look into it for you. I will keep you posted. Thank you, Dimples

Cynthia wrote:You may at least want to call to see if it's worth the drive.

America's Market
9 Huntington Lane
Wheeling, IL 60090
847-850-2563

The root beer, in 12-ounce glass bottles, is priced at $1.50-$1.75 each.

Attention Point Root Beer lovers. While picking up some ice cream at Oberweiss last night, I noticed that they carry Point Root Beer.