Maine Root Root Beer

Liz and I were doing a bit of shopping in the local Whole Foods when we came across a display of root beer at the end on an aisle.  It was a Maine product, and being a Maine native, I must say I was intrigued.  Upon closer inspection, we saw that this soda was called Maine Root Root Beer, and it was on sale!  We put a four-pack in our cart and continued shopping.

When we got home and had thoroughly chilled the root beers, we cracked a few open.  Before I go into the beverage, though, I must mention the bragging rights that the bottle boasts.  Fair Trade logos are plastered all over the box, the bottles, and the caps, referring to the Fair Trade sugar cane juice used in the soda.  It is also certified organic, caffeine-free, and gluten-free.  That’s a lot of certifications for a root beer!  But, do certifications equal a tasty beverage?

Maine Root, of Scarborough, Maine, was a dark brown beverage with an airy, though thin, foam head.  My first impression of the soda was its smooth and creamy start, but that was quickly broken by a sharp carbonation blast.  The sweetness of the root beer was nice, as you could taste the quality of the sugar used.  As far as flavor, it had a similar spice profile to IBC root beer, which was quite enjoyable.

Though pricy, ($5 for a four pack, on sale from $6) this root beer was of very fine quality.  I also enjoyed its Maine origins and the fact that it was manufactured with sustainability in mind.  Recently, I saw this root beer on a menu at a fine seafood restaurant in Kittery, ME.  I feel that it belongs there, and with this product and the current market trending toward sustainable products, it should have some staying power.  Enjoy!