Root beer that's worthy of a frosty mug

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published July 12, 2006

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We had to make a grocery run for a recent house guest who wanted root beer, an item I don't usually stock. But she didn't want just any brand; she requested IBC. To her satisfaction, I found a six-pack at Publix $3.50.

Taster's Choice panelists liked the IBC brand as much as our family friend. They gave it 76 out of a possible 100 points in our sampling of seven brands.

All root beer is basically carbonated water with corn syrup and flavoring. But the differences discovered by Taster's Choice were distinctive.

The IBC root beer had a robust, Coca-Cola-like color and a creamy foam texture. Panelists were surprised that most of the comparisons were lighter in color than they had expected.

Four of the five judges said they would buy the IBC root beer.

"I wish I had a hot dog," said one.

Their second choice was the Original Stewart's Fountain Classic Root Beer. We found a four-pack at Publix ($2.99).

Again, four of the five would buy Stewart's. They liked the thickness of the drink as well as the sweet flavor - not too sugary. The Stewart's brand received 60 points.

The third pick was Mug Root Beer ($1.34 from Publix). Judges gave this brand 53 points, and two of the five said they would buy it.

The judges who liked the Mug brand preferred its lighter color and creamy foam.

"This is what root beer should look and taste like," said one.

Some of the comparisons were super sweet and sappy. Judges likened a couple of brands to maple syrup.

Also sampled were root beers from Publix (69 cents); Barq's ($1.19); A&W ($1.50); and Sam's Choice from Wal-Mart (89 cents).

Panelists were Nan Jensen, registered dietitian with Pinellas County Cooperative Extension; Bob Devin Jones, artistic director of Studio@620 personal chef Julie Overton; Gary Kawalec, chef/owner of Tampa Bay Supper Club in Safety Harbor; and Jim Yockey, aesthetician at Indulgence Medical Day Spa in St. Petersburg. All drinks were tasted blind.

RANKINGS

1. IBC

2. Original Stewart's Fountain Classic

3. Mug