Erin Elizabeth
As a self-proclaimed root beer connoisseur, I always seek the latest and greatest root beers to try.
In this article, I’ll discuss the best root beer brands, from the classic A&W to less obscure brands.
Whether you love root beer or want to expand your palate, these are the best brands you should try.
Best Root Beer
Check out some of our favorite root beer brands for root beer floats or just to sip!
A&W Root Beer
One of the most recognizable root beer brands is A&W, which has existed since 1919.
With its silky smooth texture and delicious flavor, the A&W Root Beer is a fan favorite. I love that it contains natural cane sugar.
You can enjoy it in a frosty mug at an A&W restaurant or crack open a can at home.
IBC Root Beer
Another household name when it comes to root beer is the brand IBC.
IBC Root Beer is an excellent choice for anyone who loves a classic, creamy root beer full of flavor.
You can even use it as a mixer for a root beer float.
I love how sweet this root beer is, and it’s caffeine-free, which is also a plus.
Mug Root Beer
Mug Root Beer has been around since the 1940s.
One sip of this root beer transports me back to more carefree times with its rich notes of vanilla.
While this is another famous brand, I can’t say it’s my favorite. It’s still tasty but less creamy than other brands.
Barq’s Root Beer
If you’ve ever been to the Deep South, you know Barq’s Root Beer is a staple there.
This root beer became especially popular during Prohibition due to its bold flavor with a kick and remains a favorite today.
I love that it’s not overly sweet and has a bitter taste. With an irreplaceable distinct flavor, you should try Barq’s Root Beer.
Bulldog Root Beer
Bulldog Root Beer is one of the best brands because, unlike other brands, it uses natural vanilla in the recipe, making it extra special.
The brand uses honey which adds a subtle sweetness to the flavor profile.
I love how the vanilla and honey bring a unique twist to the drink, making it stand out.
Bundaberg Root Beer
Bundaberg Root Beer is the perfect choice for those who prefer their soda more on the flat side.
This family recipe includes the unique taste of sarsaparilla root and ginger, which add a spicy and bold kick to the drink.
Despite the distinct root beer taste, it’s too bitter for my liking. But if you’re looking for something less sweet, give this a go!
Sioux City Root Beer
Sioux City Root Beer is a proud, family-owned business that has been crafting beer for five generations.
While it’s made with natural cane sugar, the taste of mint is too overwhelming for me.
However, if it’s a strong, bold flavor you want, you need to try this.
Sprecher Root Beer
Compared to other root beer brands, Sprecher Root Beer is relatively new.
It debuted in 1985 and became a hit thanks to its unique drink-making technique.
They use a gas-fired brew kettle and local Wisconsin honey to keep the drink sweet and creamy.
It’s more sugary than spicy, but I still love it.
Virgil’s Handcrafted Root Beer
Virgil’s Handcrafted Root Beer is a special brand that claims to be all-natural, with no artificial colors or preservatives.
It’s a rich, creamy root beer made of 15 different spices. With so many ingredients, this brand tastes less sweet but has a particular kick.
Although I love the sugar-free root beer, some find its taste akin to cough syrup.
Zevia Ginger Root Beer
The Zevia Ginger Root Beer is vegan, gluten-free, and plant-based, with a clear hue instead of dark brown.
If you want a soda that’s not overly sweet, try this. The ginger adds a nice twist but keeps it close to a traditional root beer flavor.
Zevia is one of the healthiest soda brands, so this is a healthier option too.
Frostie Root Beer
Most people immediately recognize Frostie Root Beer because the character looks like Santa Claus on the bottle.
This root beer has strong carbonation and is very sweet, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
It’s a massive sugar rush for most people, but it has a minty aftertaste, which I love.
Maine Root
Maine Root is made with cane sugar rather than corn syrup, giving it a unique flavor profile.
The best part is that the manufacturers only use certified fair-trade sugar.
It’s preservative-free, a little creamy, and has just the right amount of fizz.
I also sense hints of wintergreen in the aftertaste, which I find interesting.
Saranac Root Beer
Saranac Root Beer stems from Saranac Brewery. They’ve been brewing their root beer since 1995.
The vanilla flavoring is robust, and it’s a root beer that you sip on, not drink fast.
It has a very creamy head, tasting sweet and with hints of licorice root.
If you love a root beer that’s sweet and uncomplicated, try this award-winning one.
Dang Butterscotch Root Beer
Dang Butterscotch Root Beer is absolutely delicious.
Some might find the fizz too much, but the added butterscotch flavor gives this root beer one of the best flavor profiles.
I love how the sweet butterscotch complements the bitter hints of root beer.
It’s not overwhelming; everyone should try this unique blend at least once.
WBC Chicago Style Root Beer
The WBC Chicago Style is a heartier root beer with an overpowering fizz.
The vanilla aroma is the first thing you’ll smell, and the flavor is there to match.
I prefer more sugary root beers, so I find this too bitter. But if you love a strong, bold flavor, you should try it.
Stewart’s Root Beer
We can trace Stewart’s back to 1924; it used to be one of the most flavorful root beers.
Nowadays, you can still find bottles of it if you look hard enough.
This root beer tastes like the usual, with hints of vanilla and a slightly medicinal aftertaste.
Although this isn’t my favorite brand, I occasionally drink it for nostalgia.
Henry Weinhard’s
Many breweries transitioned to making root beer, and Henry Weinhard was no different.
The root beer is a little bitter, but in a good way, complemented by the sweetness of the honey and vanilla.
I love how foamy this root beer is; perfect for making root beer floats at home whenever I’m in the mood.
Boylan Root Beer
Boylan Root Beer won first place in the Great American Root Beer Showdown.
The main flavor notes in this beverage are cinnamon and mint, but it’s plenty sweet, too, thanks to the 43 grams of cane sugar per bottle.
It has more sweetness than bite, which I like.
Fitz’s Root Beer
Anyone in the Midwest knows about Fitz’s Root Beer, which originated in 1947.
I love the wintergreen spices and vanilla, which taste great with almost any food.
It has a decent amount of fizz; you can either sip or chug it.
While it’s not something uniquely different, you should still give it a try.
Dad’s Root Beer
Thanks to two friends, Dad’s Root Beer originated in a Chicago basement in the 1930s.
This brand doesn’t hold back on the spice, so be prepared for a bit of a bite on your first sip.
Some people think it tastes more like a Dr. Pepper variant, but I promise it goes even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Hank’s Root Beer
Hank’s Root Beer is one of the creamiest options out there.
The spice and creaminess provide a rich-bodied beverage that won 10th place in the Great American Root Beer Showdown.
I love how the creaminess blends well with the herbs in this drink, none overpowering the other.
You should try this, especially if you’re new to root beers.
Best Root Beer
- A&W Root Beer
- IBC Root Beer
- Mug Root Beer
- Barq’s Root Beer
- Bulldog Root Beer
- Bundaberg Root Beer
- Sioux City Root Beer
- Sprecher Root Beer
- Virgil’s Handcrafted Root Beer
- Zevia Ginger Root Beer
- Frostie Root Beer
- Maine Root
- Saranac Root Beer
- Dang Butterscotch Root Beer
- WBC Chicago Style Root Beer
- Stewart’s Root Beer
- Henry Weinhard’s
- Boylan Root Beer
- Fitz’s Root Beer
- Dad’s Root Beer
- Hank’s Root Beer
Final Thoughts
In this article, I’ve talked about some of my favorite root beer brands. From the classic taste of A&W to the bold and spicy flavor of Dad’s, there’s a root beer for everyone on this list.
Check out other popular sodas to sip!
