# Rootbeer: America vs. the world? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 12, 2007, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863 "2007-05-12T19:45:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/101 "2007-05-14T05:11:57Z")
[Frank Zappa imitating Puerto Rican doo-wop crooner] I gave you my high school ring Down by the root beer stand We had a teenage love I thought it was sharp\*, it was really so grand! [/Frank Zappa imitating Puerto Rican doo-wop crooner] \*Prounounced “_ch_arp.” ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/102 "2007-05-14T05:19:34Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Mug is a good brew. [/QUOTE] True dat! I was hooked on Mug root beer as a teenager, before I discovered Mountain Dew. But when I was 17 my family moved halfway across the state to a town where I couldn’t find Mug _anywhere_, and I don’t think Barq’s was available either, though truth be told I hadn’t even heard of that brand at that point. So I had to settle for A&W, which is “acceptable”, but not up to Mug standards. The only time I got Mug for several years was when my family traveled to visit relatives, and we’d stop in this tiny town where they inexplicably _did_ sell Mug. Then out of the blue, Mug became available in my town. For a few short years. And then it vanished again. There are a few restaurants in town that have it on tap, but it’s nowhere to be seen in stores. ☹ Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen Hires around here either. (You know, back in my pre-computer days, I’d see the name “Hires” and pronounce it to rhyme with “tires”. Now I see it and it reads as “hi res”, as in “high resolution”.) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/103 "2007-05-14T06:21:09Z")
[QUOTE=Phase42] Now I see it and it reads as “hi res”, as in “high resolution”.) [/QUOTE] Heh. Nerd. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/104 "2007-05-14T06:26:28Z")
[QUOTE=silenus] Well, I know the BJ’s in SoCal brew their own because I know the brewers. Could be that other location sell Mug. [/QUOTE] The BJ’s I’m referring to is the one in Laguna Beach. Now I need to find out which BJs in my area carry the BJs brew instead. I’m intrigued! -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/105 "2007-05-14T09:31:42Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] Ennui-pills. With occasional treatments of dissatisfactionex. [/QUOTE] Gentian ? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/106 "2007-05-14T14:16:00Z")
Dang! I got scooped on mentioning BJ’s. I’m pretty sure the one in Chandler brews their own, because it was like nothing I’d ever tasted. I didn’t know root beer could be that good. I also really like IBC, but I’ll tend to get them as an after-dinner dessert-ish drink. Their root beer and cream soda are fantastic, but just too sweet for me to drink with a meal. I’ve got a Cost Plus World Market nearby, I’ll have to try this…Virgil’s. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/107 "2007-05-14T14:25:18Z")
> [@Bryan Ekers](#): > > Ennui-pills. With occasional treatments of dissatisfactionex. [QUOTE=Phase42] Maybe that’s what makes them “insolent” 😉 [/QUOTE] Insolent green is _people_! Sorry; that just popped out. Carry on. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2007, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/108 "2007-05-14T14:48:56Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] The BJ’s I’m referring to is the one in Laguna Beach. Now I need to find out which BJs in my area carry the BJs brew instead. I’m intrigued! [/QUOTE] Drive up to the Brea location. Ask for Owen or Toby. Tell them “Shotgun” sent you. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/109 "2007-05-14T16:15:35Z")
[QUOTE=elfkin477] Are you kidding? Rootbeer is disgusting. I know far more people who won’t touch it than drink it. It’s far from universally loved in the US. [/QUOTE] **BLASPHEMER!!! I DOOM THEE TO THE PIT OF ETERNALLY FLAT DR . PEPPER FOR THY VILE HERESY** So I love Root Beer. Don’t have a black cow. Sheesh. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/110 "2007-05-14T18:03:24Z")
I had an absolutely OUTSTANDING root beer early last year that I can not remember the name of. The only thing I do remember is that in tiny print on the label it said it was made by Smucker’s, the jelly people. It had a great wintergreen tint to it, absolutely the best root beer I have ever had. Anyone happen to know it? ---
**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:** [May 14, 2007, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/111 "2007-05-14T18:08:50Z")
[Natural Brew Draft Root Beer.](http://www.rootbeerreviews.com/brews/naturalbrew.php) Juice Creations is a division of Smucker’s. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/112 "2007-05-14T18:26:50Z")
I love root beer, root beer floats, root beer and cream soda and a new one for most of you since I havn’t seen it here. Used to get a mug from an A&W drivein called “stump water”, it was half root beer half orange crush. A truly ugly color but worth trying. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/113 "2007-05-14T18:28:26Z")
**silenus** , I am in your debt. ---
**Author:** ![Delly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Delly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delly)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/114 "2007-05-14T22:46:23Z")
I shouldnt have come back to this thread because now I want a glass of Root Beer with no real chace of getting it. Great! About the nutella - you have to try it - is great on bread with butter - that might sound a bit strange but I love it! Granted most people who have seen me eat this think its sick. Count me in as another one who thinks that marmite/vegemite is rotten! Its definately not a universal love in euopre. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2007, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/115 "2007-05-14T23:48:11Z")
I found Hire’s here. No diet, though. It was in the soda aisle but off by itself with the specialty brands like Stewarts and IBC. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/116 "2007-05-15T04:09:12Z")
[QUOTE=DMark] or for the Europeans love of Nutella (very few Americans like it very much) [/QUOTE] I don’t think I’ve ever met an American who didn’t like Nutella. I’ve met plenty who have never heard of it, but chocolate & filberts (aka hazelnuts…I just like saying filbert) …what’s not to like? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/117 "2007-05-15T04:28:39Z")
Am I the only one in here who remembers Dad’s Root Beer? Must not be around any longer ☹ I have to chuckle at these references to a place called BJ’s. Here, we have what are called “BJ bars,” but it’s not root beer that’s on offer. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/118 "2007-05-15T05:02:19Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Am I the only one in here who remembers Dad’s Root Beer? Must not be around any longer ☹ I have to chuckle at these references to a place called BJ’s. Here, we have what are called “BJ bars,” but it’s not root beer that’s on offer. [/QUOTE] I mentioned Dad’s earlier. I can only ever find it at Big Lots, an American chain of close-out stores, but it definitely isn’t sold at supermarkets, convenience stores, or other establishments. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/119 "2007-05-15T05:45:04Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Am I the only one in here who remembers Dad’s Root Beer? Must not be around any longer ☹ [/quote] I remember it, but I don’t think I’ve seen it in a while, either. I’ll have to remember to look for it next time I’m shopping. > [@](#): > > I have to chuckle at these references to a place called BJ’s. Here, we have what are called “BJ bars,” but it’s not root beer that’s on offer. Locally, we have a couple of truck stops called “BJ’s”, and the restaurant attached to the local bowling alley (which burned down a few years ago) was called BJ’s. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2007, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863/120 "2007-05-15T06:05:25Z")
_De gustibus non est disputandum._ Except for root beer, which is not a taste, but a molecule. Root beer is an empirical fact. This has been demonstrated by science. In this instance, America is objectively and measurably in the right. The rest of the world may believe otherwise, but that is an accident of history. Root beer forgives them. On a fundamental chemical level, America equals root beer. As amber was to the Prussians, as Tyrian purple to the Phoenecians-- so too is America enriched on all levels-- cultural, technological, pornographic-- by its vast naturally occurring root beer deposits. Americans have the highest concentration of root beer-fueled cellular organelles of any nation on Earth. Even Americans who hate root beer secretly love it in their sleep. When the Catholic rite of transubstantiation is practiced in American churches, ~.07 ul/l of sacramental wine is instantaneously converted to root beer. The religious significance of this effect has been hotly debated by beverage theologians, but the Book of Root Beer (long attributed to Luke the Physician) has been historically regarded as apocryphal. Root beer is the only soft drink detected in interstellar space. The Aztecs sacrificed over 250,000 people to the Sun-god Huitzilopoctil every year. They had no root beer. Root beer unlocks your ear-wiggling muscles. If you were born with a tail, drinking root beer will cause it to regenerate like a lizard’s. Root beer wards off the levinbolt. Root beer knows the future. Will you accept root beer into your life? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rootbeer-america-vs-the-world/403863.md?page=7)