Red Ribbon Root Beer

Red Ribbon Root Beer

Website: http://www.natronabottling.com

Sweetener: Cane Sugar

Bottled at: Natrona, Pennsylvania

Purchase Location: Galco’s Soda Pop Stop

I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but sometimes a cover can give a book an air of legitimacy.  Root beer labels with barrels on them give big time legitimacy to a root beer.  I don’t know what it is, but I can’t look at a good looking root beer barrel on a label without thinking, “this is going to be one fantastic root beer.”  Red Ribbon Root Beer has a vintage root beer barrel on its label.

Natrona Bottling Company, the maker of Red Ribbon Root Beer, was founded in 1904.  All of Natrona Bottling Company’s sodas are made in small batches, and are individually mixed and measured by hand, using vintage equipment.  Natrona also claims to be the last soda bottling company that uses “pinpoint carbonation,” carbonation that produces a smooth, tiny bubble.  I do not recall recall any substantial carbonation difference with Red Ribbon.  However, unfortunately, I was not aware of Natrona’s use of pinpoint carbonation until after drinking the soda, so I did not pay extra attention to the carbonation.

Back to judging a book by its cover, Red Ribbon Root Beer does not live up to the promise of excellence conveyed by the rustic root beer barrel on its label.  It is not bad, but we had high root beer barrel expectations.  Red Ribbon Root Beer is a soft root beer.  It is slightly herbal and has an airy, fresh flavor.  If you are looking for a soft flavor, you may really like Red Ribbon.  I was looking for more flavor.

Overall Score: 6 of 10.