Gene Autry Root Beer

Gene Autry Root Beer

Sweetener: Cane Sugar

Bottled at: Camarillo, California

Purchase Location: Rocket Fizz

Orvon Grover Autry, better known as Gene Autry, also known as “The Singing Cowboy,” was an All-American musician and television and movie star. His heyday spanned three decades, running from the mid 1930s to the mid 1950s. By all accounts, Gene Autry was a much beloved cowboy superstar. However, I have to think that Gene Autry’s fan base is old, shrinking, and likely not an ideal group to target for root beer marketing. On the other hand, maybe Gene Autry is so synonymous with cowboys and the west that he is the ideal, timeless mascot.

The label for Gene Autry Root Beer shows a young Gene Autry attired in a western shirt emblazoned with Old Glory. Standing next to him is his faithful horse and sidekick from radio, television, and film, Champion. To top it all off, Gene Autry’s name is spelled out in cursive with a cowboy’s lasso rope.

Coming into this review, I had some trepidation that Gene Autry Root Beer would be terrible, nothing more than a gimmick. In reality, it is an adequate root beer. It has a dark flavor, without any specific spices standing out. On the back end, vanilla becomes more pronounced. All of this is delivered with just enough carbonation. Gene Autry Root Beer is not as fantastic as Gene Autry was a cowboy, but it is worth a drink.

Overall Score: 6 of 10.