Robin and root beer
Originally uploaded by athens2004blog.
Hey up folks
This is Robin and two cans of root beer (if, for some reason you hadn't worked that much out) which we bought from the Chinese supermarket we went to. Although they're American brands (I think), the two cans were made in Singapore and Malaysia respectively!
I'm a big, big fan of root beer, which is quite hard to find over here. They used to sell it in McDonalds in the 80s, but stopped a long time ago. So the only time I get to drink it is when I'm in the US - and it even seems to be disappearing a bit there. I know some people think it tastes like dental mouthwash, but I think it rocks.
So, imagine my excitement on finding not one but two brands in the Chinese supermarket. The Frost brand (which I hadn't heard of) was selling at 49p a can and the A&W (which I had) at 59p. So we decided to buy a couple of both and have a taste test (that's the kind of crazy kids we are!).
And the winner? A&W hands down. Not only is it a better colour (much lighter - Frost looks like treacle), but it has superior levels of carbonation and a crisper flavour! Worth the extra 10p a can any day.
Any of you marvellous US readers got any root beer tips or tales?
15 comments:
Rootbeer...yum! A&W restaurants, based on the "50's car hop" theme (they really do come to your car, has a specialty drink called the "Black Cow", which is a rootbeer float - rootbeer with a swcoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Give it time to melt a little and you'll find a delicious slightly odd drink. Trust me, it works.
Oh, root beer floats are great. It's been forever since I've had one. Don't try it with any other kind of soda though, Kit. Only seems to taste right with root beer.
I remember having A&W as a kid. My favorite is Mug Root Beer. They still have it in the soda fountain at my local sandwich shop.
And now I'm craving one. :D
~ Cathy in NJ
Aahh - Rootbeer floats - there's nothing better on a hot summer day! I live in Wisconsin (USA) which is known for great beer - and a number of the micro-breweries make their own rootbeer. There is one here in my hometown which has fresh rootbeer every Wednesday, and it is delicious!
One rootbeer float tip - put the scoop of icecream in a LARGE glass, because when you pour in the rootbeer it will fizz all over!
Bottoms up! KJ in the USA
Personally, I think IBC makes the best Root Beer and Cream Soda. I really don't like soda, but I do drink a Root Beer or a Cream Soda every now and then.
Mary
You really know how to get our friends across the pond writing.
Unfortunately the only people who know how to make real beer(ale) are the English. My particular favourite(which may come as a suprise to lollipop) is Spitfire. Its brewed by Sheppard Neame in Kent which is,I belive the oldest brewer in the UK.
Edward/Brother
Unfortunately the only people who know how to make real beer(ale) are the English.
Oooooooh, them thar's fightin' words! ;) Two of my perennial English favorites are Boddingtons and Bass. Another favorite is Smithwicks, which is Irish, I believe?
There are some breweries on this side of the pond that can make pretty good beer, if you know where to find them. Richmond (Virginia) has a few fabulous ones, including Legend's Nut Brown Ale and Richbrau's Griffin Golden Ale. Other good ones are Anchor Steam (San Francisco), Yeungling (Pennsylvania ~ and it's "yingling", why they couldn't spell it that way is beyond me), and Ommegang (Upstate NY).
This concludes the American beer public service announcement. (Sorry for the threadjacking of your root beer post, Kit.)
~Cathy in NJ, a confirmed beer drinker :D
Stin iyiasou
back to root beer and i gotta say i love it too! back in the day i loved it when it was available in mcdonalds...i'm gonna try the local chinese supermarket! fingers crossed... Rob, Manchester
The Bass that they have stateside is Baas Export Ale which is not too bad. I've actually been to Richmond on my travels and remeber going to some micro breweries and having lots of chips and salsa with them.
Another brewery chain that I have seen(and drunk lots of) is the Humperdinks chain in Dallas. They brew their own ales and lagers on site at each "pub",ie each pub has its own micro brewery.Many a travellers cheque was passed into their tills!
Edward/Brother
I'm definitely not a big fan of beer -- although for some reason I can't seem to play pool/billiards without it (still can't figure out that connection). As for root beer, I can take it or leave it, but my father was a big fan of Hires. He also loved birch beer. Does anyone know if that is similar to root beer and whether or not it's sold across the pond?
Vix in Philly
I grew up calling a root beer float a Brown Cow (vs. a Black Cow). Anyway, I agree that IBC is good stuff, along with Hire's. Although Birch beer is good stuff as well, if you ever come across it. If Robin ever makes it to Alaska, he should stop in the Moose's Tooth Brewpub. After sampling their excellent beer, he can down a pint of their homemade root beer.
Linda in Anchorage, Alaska
I must say that I agree with Edward/Brother. The English are the only people who know how to make real beer (ale). I practically weep when I have to return to the States after visiting England.
Mary
I must say that I agree with Edward/Brother. The English are the only people who know how to make real beer (ale). I practically weep when I have to return to the States after visiting England.
Mary
I must say that I agree with Edward/Brother. The English are the only people who know how to make real beer (ale). I practically weep when I have to return to the States after visiting England.
Mary
Yikes! Sorry about that. My internet was being weird, and it didn't seem to go through on my end.
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