15 Best Root Beer Brands & Why They’re Our Favourites

It’d be hard to talk about root beer without mentioning the Sprecher brand. It’s a fan favourite and rightly so. If you’re a fan of foam hovering above your drink, then you should look out for this. Founded in 1985, by Randal Sprecher, the Milwaukee-based brand has appealed to the taste of many Americans and folks from all over, and has become the face of modern-day brewery. What attracts so many people to it is its butter-like smoothness. It literally rolls off your tongue.

Made from honey, the root beer brand offers a range of flavours, so it’s almost certain that you’d find one that catches your fancy.

Origin: Milwaukee, United States
Price: $6.46

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, make sure to get this delicious treat on your next grocery run. Since 1919, the brand, now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, has led the pack in flavourful, bud-exploding sweetness.

With sugarcane and quillaia as its distinct ingredients, IBC offers a creamy, foamy feel and an okay bite – a great choice for kids, or anyone who wants to treat their taste buds.

One thing that comes to mind when this brand comes up is its longevity. It has stood the test of time, and this shows just how good it is.

Origin: Saint Louis, Missouri.
Price: $4.42

One of the lesser-known brands, Red Arrow is a diamond in the rough. For people who would like to taste the true essence of root beer – the way it was made in the ancient days – this is your brand. They pride themselves on creating authentic root beer flavours with the taste of licorice, wintergreen and spices perfectly blended to give an almost perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness.

Excellence is a word that fits perfectly with this brand from Michigan as it uses only the best quality ingredients to maintain its creamy, smooth feel and great taste.

Origin: Michigan, United States
Price: $4.25

1924 is boldly inscribed across the neck of Stewart’s bottles. This, and the excellently designed bottle tell the tales of its history when Frank Stewart began a chain of root beer stands in Mansfield, Ohio. Named top root beer at the World Cup of root beers in 2006, the brand has become one of the most recognized in the world.

Made from birch, It’s known for its characteristic spiciness, and the fact that it’s not fizzy or too sweet. So if you like your drinks with a peppery kick, this one’s for you.

Origin: Mansfield, Ohio
Price: $3.20

Some root beer brands use cane sugar as a sweetener, and others use honey. Bulldog opted for the best of both worlds. A growing brand that has attained the quality of top brands in taste and texture.

Founded in 1997, Bulldog developed the taste they are now known for after 9 different test recipes. Its creamy taste, average bite, and smooth buttery feel make you want more every time. Plus the honey takes away the bitter aftertaste root beers are known for.

It’s mostly similar to the IBC brand, the difference being that Bulldog probably has a more complex flavour profile..

As the name suggests, this brand is made in Rhode Island, USA, and sweetened with molasses. This sugary goodness along with its wintergreen gives the root beer its unique bitter-sweet flavour, scent, and thickness.

On the downside, it fails to deliver on its promise of fizziness. It almost seems like the sugars overpower the carbonation, giving a less smooth texture.

Overall though, considering its taste, texture, and price, the drink does deserve a spot on the list of the best root beers around.

Origin: Rhode Island
Price: $5.00

Boylan bottling company which was founded by Steven A. Boylan in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1891 has managed to capture the hearts of many root beer lovers with their exquisite drinks. From the retro-styled bottles which almost look like wine bottles to the taste of cream, cinnamon, and licorice this brand is ready to compete with any major brand out there. Up to the very last sip, it maintains its flavour and doesn’t leave a bad aftertaste.

The only potential drawback, depending on personal taste, is that it has a hint of alcohol. If you’re able to overlook that, or maybe even like it, then this comes highly recommended.

Origin: New Jersey, USA
Price: $3.00

Founded in 2017, in Los Angeles, California, Zevia strives to create an alternative for people on a diet. So if you’re trying to lose weight or just a workout junkie, but still want to enjoy the great taste of root beer, Zevia has you in mind.

Made with stevia – a sugar substitute that happens to be a lot sweeter – as the sweetener, Zevia offers a zero-calorie, Zero-sugar, Vegan diet root beer. Let’s not forget the addition of ginger which gives it a different taste from many other root beers.

It’s one of the best, if not the very best diet root beer out there.

Origin: Los Angeles, California.
Price: $2.83

It would be wrong if a list of the best root beers was made and Barqs didn’t get a mention. Launched in 1898 by Edward Barq, the brand has since been a face for deep-rooted beers. In a sip of Barqs, you can taste the essence of sassafras, the spices that come with it, without compromising the sugary sweetness.

This drink is for lovers of classic ingredients. The people who love to taste the true essence of the herbs and fruits that make up their drinks. Barqs provides just that. It’s almost like squeezing up the sassafras into a cup and drinking it directly, only a little sweeter. The silky smoothness of the drink is an added advantage, adding up to what makes this brand one of the best out there.

Origin: USA
Price: $7.36

A&W, just like Barqs, is known for its deep taste of sassafras. Depending on preference, people who are into the spiciness of sassafras choose one or the other. The distinguishing factor is probably the texture of the drink.

Still A&W has its faithful consumers, and definitely new ones, who would choose it over Barqs any day. So if you’re the type to love the classic ingredients, but not a fan of carbonation, then A&W root beers have got your back.

Origin: USA
Price: $7.64

Hank’s is probably the creamiest root beer you’d ever come across. It’s made from an old Philadelphian recipe with cane sugar as its sweetener. It provides that sweet caramel taste, with a strong head and smooth feeling in the mouth, and then an amazing vanilla aftertaste. A perfect blend of creaminess and root beer spiciness. If it’s not Hank’s, it cannot be like Hank’s.

The scent is like no other, so if you enjoy your meals wholly like the Italians do, from the scent, to the presentation, to the taste, then you should probably pick up a bottle of Hank’s.

Origin: Philadelphia, USA
Price: $5.50

Formally Belfast root beer, Mug root beer was originally introduced in 1940. It is made by New Century Beverage Company in San Francisco, California. The drink was originally sold as a tonic that allegedly cured many sicknesses

Besides the fact that It has a great vanilla taste, frothy head, is very fizzy and spicy, Mug root beer is decaffeinated. This makes it a treat for caffeine-sensitive root beer fans, and has helped it (along with pepsico influence) become a leading brand – probably top 5 popular brands.

Also, it’s a great choice for root beer floats. It is quite delicious with vanilla ice cream, and many other meals.

Origin: San Francisco, Carlifonia
Price: $4.99

Founded in 1960 by the Fleming family, Bundaberg is the first Australian-based brand to make the list. Over the years, the company has grown both locally and internationally.

You might notice that unlike other pros and cons, the low fizziness of Bundaberg is a pro. This is because the drink is made for consumers who prefer flatter drinks.

While it is not the norm for root beers, some consumers prefer to enjoy the taste of root beer with lesser carbonation, and Bundaberg solves that problem.

Origin: Bundaberg, Queensland
Price: $7.50

George Rackensperger launched Frosties root beer in 1939, Canstonville, Maryland. That’s over 85 years, and in that time, it has managed to be a fan favourite for root beer floats with its distinct caramel colour.

As a drink of its own, Frosties is a little light on flavour and heavy on carbonation which also does its bit in distracting from the flavour. It features a weird aftertaste that lingers for a longer time than usual as well.

Compared to its mainstream competitors, it’s pretty average, but overall, it’s a good drink, and a go-to for root beer floats, hence, it makes the list.

Origin: Canstonville, Maryland
Price: $3.99

Last on the list, but hardly last- Virgil’s root beer is considered as the best root beer in the world by many. Made in 1994 by Edward Crowley and Jill Fraser Crowley, the brand is young but has the quality of brands that have been around for much longer.

Production involves a long list of spices like its characteristic anise, licorice, vanilla, cinnamon, balsam oil, wintergreen, cloves, nutmeg, pimento berry oil, and cassia oil. You’d hardly find a root beer with as much mixture of spices, and they are not there for nothing. These spices make up a great-tasting root beer with an amazing scent.

It’s a perfect blend of texture, taste and bite. Recommended for a first-timer or a root beer expert.

Origin: United States
Price: $9.80