At IN Food, we don’t just talk about food and beverage marketing, we live it. From product tests to packaging critiques, our team loves to investigate what makes a brand stand out (or fall flat).
This time, we tackled a nostalgic classic: Root Beer. We blind taste-tested five well-known brands and ranked them based on taste, then evaluated their packaging to see which ones delivered the full brand experience.
THE BRANDS
Read below to see which of root beers “float” to the top.
A & W
The nostalgic favorite you’ve seen at every summer cookout, A&W has been serving creamy root beer since 1919.
Price per ounce: $0.10
Dad’s
Another classic, Dad’s Root Beer has been around since the 1930s.
Price per ounce: $0.12
Mug
With its bulldog mascot and easy-going vibe, Mug is a familiar face on grocery shelves and fountain machines alike.
Price per ounce: $0.09
Barq’s
The longest-standing brand, Barq’s, is a root beer with a sharper, more cola-like kick that’s been in the bizz since 1898.
Price per ounce: $0.06
Stewart’s
Stewart’s Root Beer aims for old-school charm in a glass bottle.
Price per ounce: $0.11
THE VERDICT
Flavor: We lined up five bottles and cans of root beer and let our team sip, swish, and score. From creamy favorites to “hard pass” territory, here’s how they ranked:
- A&W won over the team with its creamy texture and balanced sweetness. While some noted the lighter color and taste, it was voted the victor by near unanimous consensus.
- Dad’s delivered a full-bodied root beer experience that leaned toward the sweeter side. The syrupy richness and creamy feel earned it second place, with some testers describing it as fruity, while others thought it was a bit too syrup-y.
- Mug landed squarely in the middle. Some testers appreciated its mellow flavor, but most felt it lacked the punch of a classic root beer. A perfectly suitable option but not a standout.
- Despite its popularity, Barq’s disappointed our root beer connoisseurs. Its cola-like notes confused some tasters and veered too far from the creamy, spiced profile they expected.
- Unfortunately for Stewart’s, the team agreed it missed the mark. Lacking body and leaning toward a watery texture, it fell to last place in the taste rankings.
Packaging Design: Once we had finished the blind tasting, we revealed the bottles and cans and judged their shelf appeal. Here’s how they stacked up.
All three of these brands brought strong, memorable packaging to the table.
- Dad’s had a bold, vintage design with nostalgic appeal.
- Mug showcased its friendly bulldog mascot and approachable vibe.
- Barq’s stood out with its sharp, metallic silver can and confident branding.
- A&W’s classic brown and orange colors communicated root beer clearly, but it lacked the personality and punch of the top three.
- Just as in taste, Stewart’s packaging felt a little lackluster.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you’re looking for the ultimate root beer experience, A&W is a clear front runner for our testers, delivering a sweet balance of taste and nostalgic charm that we could drink by the barrel. However, taste is always subjective and we encourage you to try for yourself and let us know your thoughts! We’re always rooting out new marketing trends and insights, be sure to explore our previous brand tests here.
