I tasted root beer (a hard variety, with beer-level alcohol content) for the first time last year and instantly liked it. I’m non-American and very much an adult.
I also like Dr Pepper, even though it was very rarely available to me growing up. It doesn’t have any similarity to root beer, in my opinion.
Having really only ever had it as a soft drink, what weird combination of spirit works with a root beer for a nice boozy drink? Never considered it an option before, I suppose.
I’ve had cream sodas a few times over the years, and they always just taste like diluted root beer. Ok, but not as good as the real thing.
Never knew there was any RB connection to wintergreen - interesting. I do like wintergreen mints, as it happens.
I’ve never heard of red cream soda. It’s always been amber. Where do you all live?
I love root beer. Along with Diet Coke I always have a 12 pack of A&W Zero Sugar and my husband always has some regular A&W in the fridge. I’ve never noticed a medicinal taste, but now I’m afraid to drink it for fear that I will suddenly taste mouthwash!
There’s nothing like a root beer float made with A&W. MMM MMM MMM
Big Red.
Barq’s also makes a red cream soda. There are private label varieties as well. I see them all over.
I advise a super dark, high molasses Rum for mixing with a good root beer. I have a friend who equally loves a vanilla rum or vodka to mix, which isn’t bad, but I’m sticking with Dark Cruzan.
ETA - I find both work better with ‘less sweet’ Root Beer varieties though, so I tend to avoid A&W which is sweetest to my taste.
Yeah, the Shoppers near me in Toronto (East York) usually has individual Poppe Shoppe bottles. And they are sometimes available from take out places. I actually think that I saw some on the shelf in the Metro grocery store near me.
I remember, as a kid, going to the Poppe Shoppe and picking up soda and watching the machines move and fill the bottles. I was pretty cool.
I see it’s native to Texas. I don’t recall ever seeing that in stores here in the northeast.
That does sound like an ideal spirit to mix with root beer. I’m also thinking bourbon would go well. My first instinct would be to try a wheated bourbon, but I’d also try the opposite direction with a high-rye one to cut through some of the sweetness. I still think the wheated is a safer bet.
No, it’s the sort of drink I will drink on the rare occasions when it’s the lesser of available evils, but I didn’t like it as a kid and don’t as an adult.
Big Red is more bubble gum flavored, if I had to describe it. It’s definitely not just the garden-variety vanilla cream soda that we all are used to.
Ghastly stuff… most people grow out of drinking it by the time they’re like 10 or so.
I might also try Gosling’s Black Seal; it’s got a bit of a root beerish flavor to begin with.
The only time I had it was at Joe’s Barbecue in Kansas City. If I see a drink or food I’ve never heard of, I order it. Bubble gum is exactly what it reminded me of, and I was confused when I saw a label later saying it was a “cream soda.” Didn’t remind me of what I think of as cream soda at all. Way too sickly sweet for my tastes. No need to ever have it again, but I can see people who grew up on this stuff really liking it.
As a kid growing up in Texas, it was pretty common, but it was more of a kid drink, or occasionally it would be enjoyed by friends’ parents who had grown up out in the country. Most city/large town raised adults weren’t into Big Red.
My kids love it, and while a sip of theirs is enjoyable every now and then, I shudder at the thought of polishing off 12 ounces of the stuff.
On the other hand, Russians supposedly love a soda made from tarragon leaves*. It’s said to taste like licorice and basil. The licorice part doesn’t sound bad, but basil? 
*Scotty: “Aye, it’s green.”
I like root beer, having grown up with it, but don’t drink it often. EXCEPT–with pizza! Since I stopped drinking alcohol (almost 30 years now), and couldn’t have regular beer and pizza (a classic combo), I’ve found that root beer and pizza is a wonderful pairing.
Love root beer. A&W Zero is the current preference, Diet Barq’s if I can’t get that.
What ever happened to Hire’s?
Also like root beer variants - birch beer and sarsaparilla.
And I love the places with the self-serve zillion flavor Coke dispensers - Peach Fanta Zero, Raspberry Coke Zero…
I’ve had Tarkhun. At first I thought it tasted like root beer, but a kind of medicinal flavor crept up on me after a couple more sips. It’s okay, but it needs to be served over ice.
I’ve heard about this cocktail, but have yet to try it. It sounds yummy! 
Greater Toronto Area. Amber cream soda was in Minnesota decades ago.