Welcome!  This review page has just started up and will expand as I have time to update my experiences....stay tuned!  -Ben

A&W Locale: Plano, TX Type: root beer Bottling: can Packaging: Faux barrel design is contemporary, but harkens to former days. Inviting. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 170 Caffeine: no Head: Quick-rising, lightly colored head with satisfying staying power. Color: deep caramel Smell: Not a strong aroma. Sassafras and an earthy rootiness. Initial Taste: Pleasing sweetness and classic sassafras root beer flavor Bite: Nice bite.  Not the first thing you notice, but very present. Aftertaste: Minty wash as the sweetness departs. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 9

Barrel Brothers Locale: Salt Lake City, UT Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Clever "skinny guy - fat guy" label hints at a jolly good root beer time! Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 170 Caffeine: no Head: Thin, light-colored head fades quickly. Color: lght amber Smell: Thick, sweet, malty root flavorings mix together. Initial Taste: Creamy vanilla flavoring is in the forefront with the sassafrass, sweetness, and  other spices taking a back seat. Bite: Gentle bite. Aftertaste: Thick finish with lingering vanilla flavor. Reminiscent of a cream soda…odd for a root beer. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 6

Boylan Locale: Moonachie, NJ Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Classic / retro look with antique lettering. Sweetener(s): cane sugar Calories: 170 Caffeine: no Head: Bubbly head with quick expansion, cream color, and moderate dissipation. Color: dark caramel Smell: Cane sugar flavor prominent with anise and a hint of wintergreen. Initial Taste: Natural cane sugar flavor, slight anise. Bite; Crisp bite with smooth  presence. Not flat. Aftertaste: Root beer/sassafras flavor, smooth with lingering sweetness. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 7

Briar's Locale: North Brunswick, NJ Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: 50's diner graphic with award banner look. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 168 Caffeine: no Head: Light colored minimal head. Color: amber Smell: Prominent wintergreen aroma. Initial Taste: Caramel flavor with a very sweet and thick body. Bite: No bite  in the flavoring.  Moderate bite through carbonation. Aftertaste: Thick, tongue-coating sweet aftertaste. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 6

Cool Mountain Locale: Des Plaines, IL Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Nature theme with glacial mountain panorama. Monochrome color scheme. Sweetener(s): cane sugar Calories: 160 Caffeine: no Head: Minimal head with moderately quick dissipation. Color: auburn Smell: Very sugary smell with wintergreen subtext. Initial Taste: Sweet sensation in the forefront. Not a robust flavor, though Bite: No bite. Low carbonation. Aftertaste: Unobtrusive flavor with moderate sweetness. Forgettable sensation. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 6

Dog N Suds Locale: Chicago, IL Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Cartoon theme, but consistent presentation.  Kind of corny-looking. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 110 Caffeine: no Head: Quick rising head with light coloring and great staying power. Color: light brown amber Smell: Rooty sassafras smell with hints of liquorice. Initial Taste: Clean and crisp with a agreeable sweetness and lasting tingle from the liquorice flavor. Bite: Good bite…and not all carbonation. Aftertaste: Lasting sweetness and smooth sassafras has the last word. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 8

Filbert's Locale: Chicago, IL Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Root beer barrel graphic over green and yellow.  Low-gloss paper leaves homemade impression. Sweetener(s): sugar, corn syrup Calories: 150 Caffeine: no Head: Thin bubble walls have a dark cream color, but stack better than other thin suds and stick around for the first taste. Color: reddish caramel Smell: The smell is a spicy sassafras with a minty whiff. Initial Taste: First taste is sweet with a good basic root beer taste anchored in a sassafras identity. Consistency is thin on the tongue, but crisp. Bite: Moderate bite makes no lasting impression. Aftertaste: Crisp following and finish with sweet, wintergreen reminders. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 7

Frostop Locale: Hopkins, MN Type: root beer Bottling: plastic bottle Packaging: Bold 50's diner theme. Sweetener(s): sugar, corn syrup Calories: 165 Caffeine: no Head: Fantastic head rises quickly and stays through the experience. Amazing persistence. Light crème color. Color: caramel Smell: Anise flavorings with wintergreen. Initial Taste: Fantastic rooty flavor of sassafras and/or sarsaparilla. Smooth. Definite cinnamon addition. Bite: On the low side of pleasing. Bite comes from rooty flavor, not carbonation, though! Slightly tannic. Aftertaste: Lingering anise and liquorice. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 9

Gale's Locale: Riverwoods, IL Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Simple text with graphic reminiscent of Winnie The Pooh illustrations. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 160 Caffeine: no Head: Good bodied foam fades quickly. Color: auburn caramel Smell: Strong wintergreen smell with liquorice undertones. Initial Taste: Rich palate of flavors includes very detectable cinnamon, slight ginger, and a faint softness induced with vanilla! Bite: Moderate bite. Pleasing. Aftertaste: Sweet, but not too thick. Vanilla comes through stronger with some classic tannic coloring. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 9

IBC Locale: St. Louis, MO Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Unlabeled brown glass bottle with emossed logo and lettering. Classic, understated image leaves the door open for the drinker to form their own opinion of the root beer. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: n/a Caffeine: no Head: Light-colored and quick rising, this head promises an exciting experience and sticks around to share in it. Color: auburn Smell: Sweet wintergreen aroma. Initial Taste: Crisp, strong sassafrass flavor integrating tannic underpinings with a comfortable sweetmess. Hints of vanilla and anise. Bite: Perfect moderate bite; mix of flavoring and carbonation. Aftertaste: Clean finish with sweet presence and a tingle on the tongue. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 10

Ithaca Locale: Ithaca, NY Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Wooden barrel motif with earthy orange tones. Sweetener(s): cane sugar Calories: n/a Caffeine: no Head: Light bodied foam and light coloring. Moderate amount of froth. Color: auburn Smell: Wintergreen and anise. Initial Taste: Vanilla mingled with cane sugar is followed by a rooty sensation. Bite: Nice, satisfying bite with good carbonation. Aftertaste: Sweet flavor with a clean aftertaste. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 9

John Barleycorn Locale: Putney, VT Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Very original labeling with a blend of folksy graphics with a psychedelic feel. Sweetener(s): fructose, cane sugar Calories: 140 Caffeine: no Head: Almost no head. Color: opaque chocolate Smell: Smells like a beer with roasted grain and the flavorings of a chocolate stout. Initial Taste: Initial taste is nutty with a bitter roasted flavor. A mild sweetness is combined with a veiled citrus flavor. Bite: Very mild bite. Aftertaste: Aftertaste is mildly rooty with a tangy follow. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 4

Mug Locale: San Fransisco, CA Type: root beer Bottling: can Packaging: Contemporary. Faux mug theme with overflowing suds and mascot. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 160 Caffeine: no Head: Quick-rising head fades quickly. Color: caramel Smell: Initial impression is sarsaparilla akin to the root beer barrell candy.  Twinge of wintergreen in the background. Initial Taste: Overall viscous sensation with a rooty and fundamentally sound flavor. Bite: Minimal bite.  Border-line flat. Aftertaste: Corn syrup is identifiable. Thick sensation remains. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 6

Olde Brooklyn Locale: Ronkonkoma, NY Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Classic design, but looks over-produced. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 120 Caffeine: no Head: Very little head. Color: amber Smell: Hint of clove and sassafras with perhaps a bit of cinnamon. Initial Taste: Cinnamon flavor up front in flavor mix. Sweet, but weak presence overall. Bite: No bite. Flat. Aftertaste: Strange.  Almost a sour sensation. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 4

Point Locale: Stevens Point, WI Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Sepia tone photo of brewery with premium lettering. BTI Gold Medal winner. Humorous naming panel on reverse. Sweetener(s): cane sugar, corn syrup, Wisconsin honey Calories: 180 Caffeine: no Head: Sizzling head is slow to appear, but moderately persistent Color: caramel / auburn Smell: Spicy smell with heavy wintergreen accents. Initial Taste: Smooth and sweet. Flavor is not as spicy as the smell.  Vanilla and honey are both detectable, but the classic root beer flavor is not hidden at all. Bite: Pleasing.  Not shy, but not overbearing. Aftertaste: Clean, sweet taste.  Not syrupy or dominated by any one of the three sweeteners. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 9

Route 66 Beer Locale: Wilmington, IL Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Classic and "road trip" retro. Slogan: "Get your kicks with Route 66 Beer." Sweetener(s): cane sugar Calories: 160 Caffeine: no Head: Medium head with creamy color and moderate persistence. Color: caramel red Smell: Sassafras flavor with cane sugar presence and wintergreen. Initial Taste: Weak flavoring. Not too sweet, but does have a nice natural sassafras flavor. Bite: Moderate bite. Aftertaste: Crisp finish with sweetness of cane sugar. Funny aftertaste…metallic? Overall Enjoyment Rating: 7

Saranac Locale: Utica, NY Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Classic solid label with stylized lettering and antique photo. Sweetener(s): corn syrup Calories: 180 Caffeine: no Head: Full, quick-rising head with crème color. Lasting presence. Color: dark caramel Smell: Heavy anise and wintergreen flavor. Sweet aroma. Initial Taste: Refreshing blend of sassafrass and a spiciness that may hint at a touch of cinnamon. Bite: Moderate biting flavor. Not overbearing. Aftertaste: Sweet finish with creamy character. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 8

Sea Dog Locale: Portland, ME Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: East coast sea-faring pooch motif. Sweetener(s): cane sugar Calories: n/a Caffeine: no Head: Light-colored head is quick to rise and stays around through your first few swigs. Color: auburn Smell: Traditional root beer smell includes sassafras with a hint of mint. Initial Taste: Initial taste is sugary with a presence of anise.  Other advertised herbs and spices are lost. Bite: Bite is passable, but not a real contributor. Aftertaste: Dry and fleeting aftertaste doesn't leave much flavor memory to enjoy. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 7

Sparky's Locale: Pacific Grove, CA Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Simple, homemade feel. Sweetener(s): cane sugar, honey Calories: n/a Caffeine: no Head: Small head with light off-white color. Moderate staying power. Color: light amber Smell: Heavy wintergreen scent with anise undertones. Initial Taste: First taste is crisp with a lasting sweetness. Complex blend of flavorings challenges the tongue with sensations of anise, cinnamon, and sassafras. Bite: Nice, flavorful bite. Aftertaste: Creamy, sweet, and almost peppery at times. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 8

Sprecher Locale: Glendale, WI Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Mixed cartoon and old German lettering styles. Tan and brown root beer colored label. Sweetener(s): corn syrup, honey Calories: 165 Caffeine: no Head: Medium foaming head with moderately long sustain and a light tan color. Color: caramel Smell: Bold sweet aroma of sassafras with honey presence.  Wintergreen whiffs. Initial Taste: Smooth and sweet with a large vanilla presence. Bite: Appropriate carbonation gives an aggressive bite without being obtrusive. Aftertaste: Flavor fades quickly. No sticky coating leaves the mouth feeling refreshed. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 8

Sprecher Lo-Cal Locale: Glendale, WI Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Mixed cartoon and old German lettering styles. Tan root beer colored label. Sweetener(s): corn syrup, Wisconsin honey, sodium saccharin Calories: 22 Caffeine: no Head: Great fast-rising head with the color of lightly caramelized sugar. Big, thick, foamy body. Color: nearly chocolate Smell: Primarily classic root beer and sassafras flavor, but with a puzzling unpleasant mustiness. Initial Taste: The slightly musty flavor is apparent in the initial taste as well.  The natural sweetener of honey is lost. Not a big-bodied flavor. Bite: Moderate bite. Aftertaste: Leaves a thick feeling on the tongue. I suspect the chemical non-sugar sweetener is the culprit. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 4

Virgil's Locale: Los Angeles, CA Type: root beer Bottling: bottle Packaging: Graphics with clear religious allusions claims "you'll swear it's made in heaven." Sweetener(s): cane sugar Calories: n/a Caffeine: no Head: Effervescent bubbles rise quickly and with great enthusiasm, but fade quickly Color: light amber Smell: Rooty sassafras smell leads the wintergreen. Initial Taste: Cinnamon, clove, anise, and wintergreen live well together. Not much sweetness. Bite: Very little bite. Aftertaste: Funny, tart aftertaste could be product of too many competing spices or an imbalanced carbonation process. Overall Enjoyment Rating: 6

Brand Pending Review Locale: Type: Bottling: Packaging: Sweetener(s): Calories: Caffeine: Head: Color: Smell: Initial Taste: Bite: Aftertaste: Overall Enjoyment Rating: