# Did you acquire the taste for root beer as an adult? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [January 9, 2023, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931 "2023-01-09T17:41:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/121 "2023-01-26T16:38:16Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > 1977 was 46 years ago. Lots of things have changed. My point exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/122 "2023-01-26T21:17:45Z")
Even as a kid, I loved root beer. I have some very clear memories of going to a camp store to buy a root beer when I was camping with my family. My wife, on the other hand, hated root beer as a kid, but developed a taste for it about ten years ago- and now it’s something we have to keep in the house. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/123 "2023-02-01T13:54:47Z")
I just came across this video in my YouTube feed: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Jyc3H6crPl4/maxresdefault.jpg "The Rise and Fall of Root Beer in America!") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyc3H6crPl4) ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/124 "2023-02-02T00:45:43Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I loved root beer as a child (side note that due to allergies there were some essential foods that I could not eat at the time, such as eggs and chocolate, so I had to get my flavor enjoyments where I could). One vacation as a young teen I had a root beer float as my beverage at every single meal except maybe breakfast. > > As an adult, I find it cloying and uninteresting. I never liked root beer quite as much as I liked “birch beer” (a related, but much more niche beverage!); these days though I’ve lost my taste for both (I don’t think I drank either after 1980 or so). ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/125 "2023-02-02T12:52:48Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Root beer is a flavor that’s predominantly wintergreen and vanilla I’m wondering if methyl salicylate is a common flavoring for medicine in countries where people think rb tastes like medicine. I’m only aware of it in Pepto Bismol here. My wife is still unhappy that I made that mental connection for her. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/126 "2023-02-02T15:08:54Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > I’m only aware of it in Pepto Bismol here. Side note, but speaking of weird flavors you find interesting, I find that I kind of like the flavor of P-B. Something about the sweet spiciness is just shy of delicious. Not to the point I drink it when I don’t have heartburn, but I was remarking to my wife that something in the profile appeals to me. She gave me the look. She also hates root beer. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/127 "2023-02-02T15:13:14Z")
> [@colinfred](#): > > I live in the UK I didn’t taste root beer until I was 20 and A&W made a brief incursion into the UK. It tasted to me like that stuff you wash your mouth out with at the dentist and didn’t order it again. Since then Aldi have started selling it and I’ve tried it a couple of times but I can’t get into it, it still tastes awful. It seems to me that Europe in general has ruined its ability to appreciate root beer by using certain flavors generally found in root beer for medicine and mouthwash. So, the problem isn’t that root beer tastes like medicine; the problem is that medicine is flavored like root beer. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2023, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/128 "2023-02-02T15:28:18Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > > > so I’d often make myself root beer floats (“brown cows” in local slang) > > hmm I always knew a “brown cow” was a root beer float made with chocolate ice cream And a “purple cow” is vanilla ice cream in grape juice. I saw this on TV when I was a kid and begged my mom for one. Eventually, when I did get a taste, it was awful. My favorite brand of root beer was [IBC root beer](https://www.ibcrootbeer.com/), but I haven’t had it in a while. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/129 "2023-02-03T00:10:38Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And a “purple cow” is vanilla ice cream in grape juice. I saw this on TV when I was a kid and begged my mom for one. Eventually, when I did get a taste, it was awful. Excuse me, I think I threw up a bit when I read this. I mean, I can almost see the point, and perhaps a vanilla / orange soda might even be appealing in a creamsicle sort of way, but I have never in my life had a grape soda that wasn’t just god-awful. I mean all sodas have better and worse options, and some are truly only for the desperate or deep fans, but grape has always, always been a disaster. And I say this as someone who grew up drinking his mother’s Tab soda, because a kid will eat/drink anything sweet with minimal consideration for flavor (see also the horrible orange/gold Halloween taffy things). ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/130 "2023-02-03T00:12:34Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > > [@Acsenray](#): > > > > And a “purple cow” is vanilla ice cream in grape juice. I saw this on TV when I was a kid and begged my mom for one. Eventually, when I did get a taste, it was awful. ⁢ > > Excuse me, I think I threw up a bit when I read this. I mean, I can almost see the point, and perhaps a vanilla / orange soda might even be appealing in a creamsicle sort of way, but I have never in my life had a grape soda that wasn’t just god-awful. I mean all sodas have better and worse options, and some are truly only for the desperate or deep fans, but grape has always, always been a disaster. ⁢ Grape soda sounds fine to me, in the same way that orange soda would. But grape _juice_? That’s a completely different flavor, and honestly doesn’t sound good at all to me. And I can’t even really computer orange juice and vanilla ice cream in my head. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/131 "2023-02-03T01:34:52Z")
Grape juice is delicious and grape soda is fine. The flavor of grape juice by the way is that of Concord grapes, which is also the flavor of American grape jelly bits great, but apparently Europeans aren’t on board. Of course it’s all too sweet for me now. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/132 "2023-02-03T01:59:40Z")
I remember having a Purple Cow when I was around four. I probably pestered my mother to make me one, but I don’t recall being overwhelmed by it. I especially like Concord grape juice when it’s served as a substitute for wine, of which I’m not too fond. Give me grape juice with a baton of bread and some sliced Mozzarella and I’m a happy man! White grape juice is good too, and more expensive than Concord. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/133 "2023-02-03T04:06:18Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Also, I really enjoy one of the Jarritos fruit sodas on occasion. Grapefruit, Strawberry and Mandarin are my favorites. **Has anyone tried the Tamarind?** It is different. Yes, just had two bottles of tamarind Jarritos last week. It’s very good — reminds me a lot of lemony iced tea, but carbonated. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/134 "2023-02-03T12:04:01Z")
I like root beer but approach with caution, as was said up-thread, not all root beers are the same. Hires was a good one(I think they’ve long gone out of business), A&W is good, Mug Root Beer and Stewarts also. Barqs and Dads are solid examples of bad root beer. Dr Pepper, eh? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Isn’t bad but what’s all the fuss about? Jarritos is my preferred soda of choice right now, pretty much any flavor. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/135 "2023-02-03T15:29:38Z")
I love late April when all the local grocery stores start stocking variety cases of Jarritos. I miss Hires, but IBC is a good replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/136 "2023-02-03T15:40:21Z")
So, I see that the LCBO has [Hires and Vodka](https://www.lcbo.com/en/hires-root-beer-491316) cans for sale. I wonder if somebody just obtained the name rights to make it, sort of like the Bell & Howell crap. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2023, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931/137 "2023-02-08T15:12:20Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Grape juice is delicious > [@terentii](#): > > I especially like Concord grape juice when it’s served as a substitute for wine, of which I’m not too fond. I love grape juice! After reading these posts, I have a hankering for some. And I’m with you terentii, I am not a lover of wine. I think it’s because in my mind it should taste like grape juice and it doesn’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-acquire-the-taste-for-root-beer-as-an-adult/977931.md?page=6)