Chicago Root Beer

Keeping on the theme of location based root beers (see my last post), this root beer is named for the great city of Chicago, IL. Chicago Root Beer is bottled by Evolution Brands right in Chicago. The company makes and distributes several flavors of soda under the Chicago name. Not sure how long they've been in operation. It looks like they rely mostly on bulk orders with 24 bottles in a case at 60 cases per pallet. If you're interested in becoming a distributer there is some info on the website for you. But if you're like me and just want one bottle to try, you'll probably end up going to The Root Beer Store and getting a bottle for a few dollars plus an exorbitant amount of money for shipping. I'm sure i've mentioned this before, but i've been to Chicago a couple times and rather enjoyed myself. Nice little city.

The 12 oz glass bottle is laden with a label that is bland in color scheme but rich in imagery. The iconic Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower) is displayed in the dead center, highlighting the fact that Chicago is a hub for architectural study and application of new and old ideas. My wife and i took a boat tour looking at all the different styles and disciplines of architecture displayed in the buildings lining the river. It was neat and enlightening. I'd recommend it. There was another tour on segways along the banks of Lake Michigan, but it was a little more than we wanted to spend. Maybe if we go back i would look into it. One thing i noticed on the label is that my bottle says "fountain classic" below the name and the pictures on the website say "draft style". I am not sure if there are two different styles of root beer they make, but i didn't see any evidence of that on the website. Looks like they probably just updated the label at some point. Anyway, the label is pretty nice. The end.

I don't love the taste. It's reminiscent of so many other forgettable root beers. It is sweetened with pure cane sugar and has a hint of carmel taste, but it the flavor fades fast and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Dozens of root beers have this same taste and they all fail to impress. For as great a city as Chicago is, this is not their best showing.

My official review is that Chicago Root Beer gets 4 (four) IBCs. This one narrowly escaped a 3, but i guess i am just feeling generous tonight or something. It doesn't make me sick, but it's really not very worth while. Please go to Chicago and enjoy the scenery and fun elements of the city, but don't go out of your way to grab one of these root beers. I simply can't recommend it.