Workplace Root Beer Showdown Results (Round 1)

[treetoptom]

The results are in on Round 1 of the workplace Root Beer Showdown. Ten of us sampled 11 different brews. Based on the number of ballots that the root beers appeared on and their highest ranking (one point for appearing on the ballot and an additional point for each #1 ranking), there was a clear-cut winner with Frostie coming out on top with seven of ten ballots and five #1 rankings, followed by Hire’s and Dad’s. Sprecher’s was the highest rated microbrew. Shasta and Dr. Brown’s were the only two that didn’t make it onto at least one ballot:

THE BEST:

Brand (No. of top 3 ballots; #1 rankings; No. of points; Highest rank)

Frostie (7; 5; 12; 1)
Hire’s (4; 2; 6; 1)
Dad’s (5; 1; 6; 1)
Sprecher’s (4; 1; 5; 1)
Virgil’s (3; 1; 4; 1)
Saranac (3; -; 3; 2)
Old Dominion (2; -; 2; 2)
Hansen’s (1; -; 1; 3)
Root 66 (1; -; 1; 3)

There were two clear-cut winners (losers?) for worst, with Shasta coming in on the most ballots (nine of ten ballots with two last place votes) and Virgil’s, which got the highest number of last place votes (five of ten ballots and a whopping five last place votes). Tough call, but I’ll have to say Shasta was judged worst, since Virgil’s also made it onto three top three ballots and even got one #1 vote. It easily was the “like it or hate it” brand this time around:

THE WORST

Brand (No. of bottom 3 ballots; #11 rankings; No. of points; Lowest rank)

Shasta (9; 2; 11; 11)
Virgil’s (5; 5; 10; 11)
Root 66 (4; 2; 6; 11)
Hansen’s (6; -; 6; 10)
Dr. Brown’s (4; 1; 5; 11)
Hire’s (1; -; 1; 9)
Saranac (1; -; 1; 9)

Next up: Root Beer Round 2. Eleven more root beers to try:

1. Hanks
2. A&W
3. IBC
4. Mug
5. Chowning’s Tavern
6. Jones
7. Abita
8. Point Premium
9. Tommyknockers Root Beer Float
10. Stewart's
11. Tom's Drive-In

[Mr Zabe]

Good job on the root beer show down.

Even money on A&W making it on the all around top 5 of both part 1 and part 2 show downs. smile.gif

[treetoptom]

You're probably right, Mr. Zabe. If the results of Round One show anything, it's that we like the classic middle-of-the-road root beer flavor like that found in Frostie, Dad's and Hire's. Most of us hadn't had any of those three for quite a while, though, and most had never tried Frostie, since you can't get it in MD. It'll be interesting to see if the trend continues and brews like A&W, Mug and IBC take Round Two or if a premium or microbrew can win out. Of course, I'm pulling for my own homebrew, Tom's Drive-In.

[SURGE]

Dont forget Barqs-

[Mr Zabe]

Surge,
Only because I respect you and your opnions....LOL
Barqs..No,Nota chance..IMO swamp water!!!! LOL
Zabe :D

[ 06-18-2006, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Mr Zabe ]

[CStoreCatMan]

Yes, make sure you include Barq's...I have to see that! I'm rooting for Mug...I don't have it very often, but when I do, it surprises me every time as to how tasty it is!

[treetoptom]

OK, I'll relent and add Barq's. I shouldn't let my personal dislikes be a reason for exclusion. To me, Barq's is not really a root beer and is almost more like a cola. But other tasters may feel differently.

[bluredoasis]

I guess you are correct TreeTopTom, we Will have to include that coke-made swamp water.
Some of those who enjoy or like coke would be disappointed if we leave that nasty coke disguised as a root-beer beverage from this competition. It will be interesting to see where it falls.

[treetoptom]

Take it easy bro, we don't want people to think we won't give Barq's a fair shot. It will have to get the same non-commital presentation as all of the rest of the brews no matter how vile we think it is.

[bluredoasis]

TreeTopTom,

Just a joke, You are right, giving Barg's a fair-shot would only be right, tasting and comparing the differnce between REAL root-beer and swamp gazz is and would be a COMPLETE test. So like you said BARF'S is in!!

[Mr Zabe]

Oh my it does appear we are on the same swamp page. Barqs or bust...I ragther go thirsty. LOL

[Inko]

Would it be redundant to add vanilla ice cream to round 2 to see which makes the best float?

Next to Inko's, it's my favorite drink right after the beach.

[Mr Zabe]

Excellent idea!!!!
Root beer floats are classic and tasty. smile.gif YUM

[David J.]

Man, I sure could go for a Hires after reading this. A shame it, and RC where delegated to the dollar stores in my neck of the woods.

And all of the good ones have closed in my area and no longer stock beverages. :(

[Mr Zabe]

As I have said before,when I was a kid in the 70's,RC was a great soda pop. RC was a big treat as my Dad always brought Coca Cola and my Mom was a TAB drinker. :(

[ 06-20-2006, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Mr Zabe ]

[NRGSLLR]

What about IBC and Stewarts?

[bluredoasis]

Nrgsllr, what about IBC & Stewarts? A float?
or ?
Read Above (1st post)

Inko, Round 2 Root-Beer taste test (float) NO
Maybe who ever wins best Root-Beer we will do a Champion-Float.........;)

[billygtexas]

Are you serving it in frosted mugs? smile.gif

Go Frostie! Great stuff.

[SURGE]

Wait if Barqs is swamp water what is the even more watered down and flavorless Mug? I'm glad to see Hires and Dads do well they are tip-top.