Table of Contents Show

Root beer has been a popular beverage for generations, and its popularity has risen through time. Every root beer drinker, seller, or enthusiast wants to know what the best root beer brands are. So allow us to tag you with any of the above.

If that’s okay with you, you’ll agree with us that each root beer brand has its unique flavor. Ever wondered where those come from?

Well, Portable Press tells us that what you taste is primarily a combination of vanilla and wintergreen.

These come with small amounts of ginger and licorice. There are also anise, juniper berries, and dandelion in there! But that’s not all!

BlackTailNYC adds cherry tree bark and nutmeg to the list. And finally, Delosi Labs adds notes of cinnamon and cane sugar!

But we know that each root beer brand has a varying flavor that sets it apart from the rest. However, some are definitely better than others in terms of quality and taste.

So, if you’re curious to know the best and most popular root beer brands in the world, then let’s explore together. You don’t want to waste your time sipping the wrong root beer!

15 Best Most Popular Root Beer Brands in the World

Root beer is a sweet North American soft drink. You can traditionally make it using some root bark. In the past, the root bark was gotten from the Sassafras tree.

But root beer as we know it today is brewed with safer synthetic safrole and a mixture of spices. So below is a list of our top 15 best and most popular brands of root beer based on their flavor and texture.

1. Sioux City Root Beer

The first on our list of best root beer brands is Sioux City Root Beer. It comes with natural sweetening from pure cane sugar.

It is caffeine free but serves up 160 calories per bottle. So Sioux City Root Beer is a heavy drink.

Though it doesn’t taste much like traditional root beer, Sioux City Root Beer gives you a combination of cream soda and root beer that’s yummy to the taste bud.

So get a bottle of Sioux City Root Beer today to have a taste of the best sarsaparilla-flavored soft drink on the market!

Check this out: 5 Surprise Toy Mini Brands Stores: Shop 5 Surprise Mini Brands From Zuru

2. Barq’s Root Beer

‘Barq’s has bits!’ sounds familiar, huh? Yes, that’s the slogan. And this is one of the best things about Barq’s Root Beer. That comes from its dash of caffeine that leaves an extra kick in your taste bud.

So next time you need a root beer brand to keep things exciting, energized, and fun, go for Barq’s Root Beer!

We think you should also know that Barq’s has other features in its profile. For instance, you can get a taste of black licorice flavor. It also has a good amount of carbonation.

Barq’s contains 160 calories, while its diet version has zero calories.

You might find this interesting: 15 Top Most Popular Cognac Brands in 2023

3. A&W Root Beer

AW-Root-Beer-Root-Beer-Brands — Root Beer Brands

A&W Root Beer is all about root beers! Little wonder its homepage URL is rootbeer.com! It comes in various flavors that meet the needs of people of all ages.

It’s also a heavy drink that comes with 290 calories per bottle! That also includes an enormous 78g of carbs and 76g of sugar for every 20 fluid ounces.

However, A&W Root Beer does offer a zero-calorie diet version. One good thing is that both varieties offer a taste of mature vanilla that gives you a creamy mouth feel.

So A&W offers zero sugar cream soda, cream soda, root beer, and zero sugar root beer.

Finally, what we love most about A&W Root Beer is that it is one of the best root beers for floats. The taste of a mixture of ice cream and A&W Root Beer is the bomb!

So you can visit an A&W restaurant to have a taste of root beers with a fresher recipe or grab a bottled A&W root beer version at your favorite liquor store!

4. Bundaberg Root Beer

Bundaberg-Root-Beer-Root-beer-brands — Bundaberg Root Beer

Here is another root beer brand to check out in 2023.

All the way from Australia, the package rather looks more like a medicine bottle. But don’t let that scare you!

The brew of molasses, vanilla beans, and licorice root gives it a very palatable taste.

We don’t expect less anyway since it passes through 3 days of brewing.

But hold on for a while: since Bundaberg Root Beer is Australian, safrole is still legal over there.

So a bottle of Bundaberg has a good amount of it. Watch it then!

Consider reading this: Top 10 Italian Car Brands: 2023 Car Lease and Special Offers

5. Sprecher Root Beer

All the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sprecher Root Beer will make you fall in love with it. Here’s why we think so.

First, it is an enjoyable creamy root beer like none other. Second, instead of sugar, it offers you a mild but noticeable honey flavor that’ll gladden your taste bud.

If the honey taste isn’t game for you, then you might like its maple syrup alternative.

It is quite delicious, though not as scintillating as the honey variant.

In addition, Sprecher Root Beer is fire brewed. So if you’re tasty for a silky, creamy root beer drink, look no further than Sprecher Root Beer.

6. IBC Root Beer

This root beer dates back to 1919. The strength of IBC Root Beer lies in its delicious combination of vanilla and licorice flavor.

IBC Root Beer is also one of the best root beer brands in the world.

However, we won’t fail to mention that it keeps getting surgery over time.

Despite that, its vanilla and licorice flavors are still strong enough to make you want more.

So go grab a bottle of IBC root beer before it gets too sweet!

Don’t forget to read this: 15 Best Skateboard Brands That’ll Save You From Wasting Money

7. Refreshe Root Beer

This is also one of the root beer brands you don’t want to miss in your entire life. Some people consider it to be a little bland or flat. However, it offers a sweetness that’ll make you ask for more.

Besides, Refreshe is widely available. So root beer lovers can easily buy this lip-licking root beer anywhere. Refreshe Root Beer brand also has a trace amount of alcohol. But this is only a zero-point-something percent.

Now, here’s what is a big deal for us. It contains up to 170 calories which ticks it bad for weight watchers.

Otherwise, its after-taste is pleasant and gives you a smooth feel. So it’s one of the best-bottled root beer brands you can’t miss. You should also check out its canned pack.

8. Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer

Here comes another of the best root beer brands rich in wintergreen, licorice, and vanilla.

Although new flavors have been introduced into the root beer category over the past 100 years, it retains the above essential ingredients.

To add to its profile, Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer comes as one of the most loved root beer brands in the U.S.

It offers both the homage feel of the original root beer recipe and a diet version.

But I’ve heard people say Dad’s root beer is flat and only high in scent. But you have to take a sip to make your judgment.

Check this out: Deckers Brands: All You Need To Know

9. Bulldog Root Beer

Bulldog Root Beer

Bulldog root beer brand comes out of old methods of preparation that create more complex flavors.

The result is that it leaves a higher level of enjoyment on your tongue, which refined sugar can’t give you.

So you can get a bit of the original and more natural ingredients.

Bulldog also gives you mild honey, and natural vanilla feels but keeps low on carbonation.

Another thing that adds to its profile of best beer brands is that it creates a fizziness, satisfying foam, and texture that sits nicely in the mouth.

10. Hires Root Beer (And Vodka)

Hires Root Beer

Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Hires invented this iconic beer. Hires first had to extract to produce root beers.

So to create his extract, he would boil the ingredients. These ingredients are roots, bark, herbs, and berries.

Hires root beer boomed during prohibition as a ‘healthy substitute’ for a traditional American beverage.

Today, it has an adult version of the classic Hires brand root beer, but it’s not for kids!

This is the dark brown colored Hire root beer with classic vanilla, root beer, and cola flavors that gives a delicious bubbly taste.

You can find Hire beer mixed with vodka in Canada but watch out: the alcohol volume is 5%.

Also a good read: 10 Best Cheap Vodkas to Drink On a Budget in 2023

11. Dang Butterscotch Root Beer

Dang Butterscotch Root Beer

Dang Butterscotch Root Beer is next on our list of best root beer brands. And another root beer from Milwaukee!

The Pettigrews make Dang Butterscotch Root Beer. In fact, they started making Dang in 1964. One of its features that’ll fascinate you is its butterscotch candy flavor.

Dang Butterscotch Root Beer comes in four variant brews. They are original root beer, diet root beer, butterscotch root beer, and diet butterscotch root beer.

If you’re looking for a gluten and caffeine-free root beer with a rich aroma, Dang Butterscotch Root Beer is your best bet!

12. Stewart’s Root Beer

Teacher Frank Stewart developed the next on our list of best root beer brands in 1924.

Stewart’s root beer is a nostalgic “old-fashioned” fountain soda.

It’s a local classic enjoyed by American communities. It also comes in varieties.

For instance, you can go for the spicy flavor or take up a bottle of Stewart’s root beer with a rich, silky texture with up to 120 calories.

You can also have zero calories of Stewart’s root beer.

The secret recipe for this age-long root beer includes quillaia, yucca, and acacia gum extracts.

Stewart’s root beer is also one of the best root beers for floats. So go for it for a perfect dessert float.

Add a touch of nostalgia to your table with a bottle of Stewart root beer.

Check this out: On Deck Review: What You Need To Know Before Investing

13. Virgil’s Root Beer

Virgil’s run a zero sugar line, and we’re aware of that! But their sweetened root beer did capture our interest, maybe because we appreciate that it is a brew with ‘fifteen roots and spices.

For those watching weight, Virgils has a palatable diet variant for you. It’s naturally flavored with stevia, erythritol, and monk fruit.

The good thing is that both versions are creamy and filling.

Its hand-crafted beer will give you a pleasantly spicy taste.

You should check this out: TurboTax for Business Review in 2023

14. Mug Root Beer

Mug Root Beer

Mug Root Beer is currently one of Pepsico’s brands. Originally, it was mostly sold on tap (or draft or fountain) hence the name “mug root beer”.

However, today you can enjoy it in cans and plastic bottles. You can’t miss its thick foam and heady aroma with quillaia extracts for flavor.

Mug root beer has 160 calories and 43g of added sugar. Mug root beer is also one of the best root beers for floats with a creamy feel.

You can also enjoy it with kids because it is gluten- and caffeine-free.

15. Oak Creek Blonde Root Beer

Last but not least on our list of best root beer brands is oak creek blonde root beer. It combines rich flavors of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, and wintergreen with a smoky finish.

Also, your nose won’t be disappointed by its spice of vanilla scent and a pleasing wintergreen backdrop supported by some great smoky notes.

In addition, Oak Creek Root Beer is always aged in oak barrels for flavor. And guess what? It doesn’t ferment, so even after 12 months, it’s still zero-proof and safe for kids.

Finally, the oak creek blonde root beer brand is made by hand in small batches. All its flavors are spicy and smoky. The blonde beer is sweeter and darker due to the addition of 25% brown sugar. So go get a bottle and enjoy!

Conclusion

There are lots of root beer brands on the shelve. So choosing the best could be tricky.

But having a known list to choose from makes it a whole lot easier. However, let us know if there’s a root beer brand you’ll like us to add to the list.

Thanks for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions on Root Beer Brands

Q: What companies make root beer?

Top 10 Root Beer Brands in the World Barq's A&W IBC Root Beer Dad's Root Beer Hires Root Beer Stewart's Root Beer Virgil's Root Beer Frostie Root Beer Oak Creek Blonde Root Beer Mug Root Beer

Q: What's the oldest brand of root beer?

Hires Root Beer According to oldest.org, Hires Root Beer is known as America's original root beer. According to the brand's official history, Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Hires first tasted root beer in 1875 while he was on his honeymoon.

What is the most popular brand of root beer?

Barq’s

Barq’s, according to nutritionix.com, Barqs comes as the most popular root beer brand, with Root Beer Mug and Root Beer Soft Drink A&W in second and third places, respectively.

What brand is the original root beer?

Hires Root Beer

Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Hires invented this iconic beer. Hires first had to extract to produce root beers.

So to create his extract, he would boil the ingredients. These ingredients are roots, bark, herbs, and berries.

Hires root beer boomed during prohibition as a ‘healthy substitute as a traditional American beverage.

How many different root beers are there?

Over 110, not including diet beverages, the single-root beers like birch beer, ginger beers, sarsaparillas, or the array of fruity, retro, and “weird” sodas (like the mystifyingly popular bacon soda), according to rootbeerstores.com.

What companies make root beer?

Top 10 Root Beer Brands in the World

Barq’s
A&W
IBC Root Beer
Dad’s Root Beer
Hires Root Beer
Stewart’s Root Beer
Virgil’s Root Beer
Frostie Root Beer
Oak Creek Blonde Root Beer
Mug Root Beer

What’s the oldest brand of root beer?

Hires Root Beer

According to oldest.org, Hires Root Beer is known as America’s original root beer. According to the brand’s official history, Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Hires first tasted root beer in 1875 while on his honeymoon.

Is Dr. Pepper root beer?

No, there is no root beer in Dr. Pepper. This is because Dr. Pepper is not made from the bark of the sassafras tree or Sarsaparilla vine. So it cannot be considered a root beer.

Dr. Pepper shares many qualities with root beer, most notably a vanilla taste, but it does not qualify.

What is the most popular brand of root beer?

Barq’s

Barq’s, according to nutritionix.com, Barqs comes as the most popular root beer brand with Root Beer Mug and Root Beer Soft Drink A&W in second and third places, respectively.

What brand is the original root beer?

Hires Root Beer

Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Hires invented this iconic beer. Hires first had to extract to produce root beers.

So to create his extract, he would boil the ingredients. These ingredients are roots, bark, herbs, and berries.

Hires root beer boomed during prohibition as a ‘healthy substitute as a traditional American beverage.

How many different root beers are there?

What companies make root beer?

Top 10 Root Beer Brands in the World

Barq’s
A&W
IBC Root Beer
Dad’s Root Beer
Hires Root Beer
Stewart’s Root Beer
Virgil’s Root Beer
Frostie Root Beer
Oak Creek Blonde Root Beer
Mug Root Beer

What's the oldest brand of root beer?

Hires Root Beer

Is Dr Pepper root beer?

No, there is no root beer in Dr. Pepper. This is because Dr. Pepper is not made from the bark of the sassafras tree or Sarsaparilla vine. So it cannot be considered a root beer.

Dr. Pepper shares many qualities with root beer, most notably a vanilla taste, but it does not qualify.