Love Root Beer? Want a fun party idea? Have a Root Beer Taste Test Party! Keep reading for the free printables and tips to have your own root beer taste test!

HOW TO HAVE A ROOT BEER TASTE TEST 

Not all root beer is created equally. Sure, you might have your favorite brand, but have you really tried multiple brands side by side? That’s where this taste testing comes in!

THIS IS A FUN ACTIVITY FOR:

• Family parties
• Reunion activities
• Summer boredom buster
•  “Ok-2-berfest” 2nd birthday party 

STEP 1: SELECT AN ASSORTMENT OF ROOT BEER 

First, select a variety of root beer. I’d suggest choosing around 8. We chose to taste 8 brands which I felt was plenty. Any more would have been too much and since there are so many brands of root beer out there, any less would limit your sampling.

WE CHOSE TO TASTE TEST THE FOLLOWING BRANDS:

• Brigham’s Brew
• Barq’s
• Boylance
• Dad’s
• Frosty
• Mug
• A&W
• Teddy’s

However, choose whatever brands you can find at your local grocery store. And don’t forget to try the local brands, too! 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING WHAT BRANDS TO GET:

Depending on how much time you have to shop for root beer, you may just want to select your root beer from your favorite grocery store. You’d be surprised at how many varieties you’ll find!

Be sure to select a few national, well known brands like A&W. Barq’s, and Dad’s since those are the most popular, but if you can find some, choose some local brands as well.

Who knows, the lesser known types of root beer may become your favorite!

STEP 2: SET UP FOR YOUR TASTE TEST 

First, make sure you chill all the root beer. No one wants a warm drink and using ice will alter the flavor and carbonation of the root beer. Throw the root beer in the fridge at least a day or two before the party so it’s nice and cold. 

Next, pull out 8 mason jars.  Label 8 mason jars with the number labels  (download available below) and pour each brand in their own jar.

Make a note of which brand is in which jar.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• chilled Root Beer (this is key! Warm Root Beer is no good!)
• mason jars
• labels (below)
• score sheets and pens (below)
• mini-shot glasses (like these cheap plastic ones from Amazon)

HOW TO KEEP SCORE OF YOUR FAVORITES

I created score cards (download below) so that we could keep track of each type we tasted. Honestly though, after trying that many, it was hard to pick a favorite.

Root beer is NOT created equal. Each brand tastes very different side-by-side. In fact, after trying half of them, I wasn’t even sure if I like root beer anymore. 🙂

But alas, as I’m typing this up, I’m drinking a root beer float, so I guess I still do like root beer after all. I think the key to picking your favorite is to drink them fast and make sure they are ice-cold.

Tip: Use disposable mini shot glasses for tasting.

THE WINNERS ARE…

You  will have to have your own root beer taste test party to determine your very favorites. However, from our taste test, the top 3 favorite root beer brands were: 

1. Teddy’s
2. Barq’s
3. A&W

Ok! Now go do a Root Beer Taste Test and let me know what brand ends up being your favorite!