Top 10 Best Root Beers

Whilst the mighty, heavily-funded Barq's Root Beer capitulates to society's ever-growing obsession with sugar, and others mistakenly see it as a challenge to perform a 180-degree turn, A&W has been able to grow in its own right, fast becoming the greatest brand of root beer to grace us with its presence.

Fall to the floor and weep at the sight of this great brand. Viva la A&W, viva la root beer!

When I think of root beer, A&W comes to mind. Don't get me wrong, I like almost every root beer I have had, but A&W is just the best. Whether it's in a root beer float or all by itself, you just can't go wrong with A&W.

We even picked out a name that begins with 'A' so A&W could be her initials. If you can get to one of their restaurants and have it on tap, it's even better! I think I'll have one right now.

IBC is by far my favorite root beer. I started drinking it about 10 years ago. Initially, it was the raised letters on the bottle that attracted me to give it a try. Now I have my local store order it by the case.

I mostly drink diet root beer as I feel regular root beers are too sweet and creamy (go figure). IBC has a great balance of flavors with a strong bite. If I had to break it down, I would say anise, molasses, and vanilla. Unfortunately, they've gone from a 6-pack to a 4-pack.

One benefit was going from corn syrup to real sugar, but as for the diet, they've said at IBC they've made no change. I can taste a change. It is a little milder than the previous version. One question for IBC: if they've made no change to the diet version, then why are the sodium numbers on the back lower than the 6-pack version of the IBC Diet?

It is still my favorite, with Boylan Diet being second. I know lots of people say Virgil's has the best flavor with its dominant nutmeg. Although I do agree it has a great flavor, their diet is made with stevia, which really ruins the diet version.

My mom's family is from the Gulf Coast, Gulfport, Mississippi to be exact, where Barq's was made for many years. I can still remember everyone being upset when the formula changed. If you ever talk to someone who was around back then, they will tell you that it hasn't been the same since they quit using the "dirty river water," referring to the water from the Big Biloxi River.

It was years before it regained the cultish following it had before it was made with filtered city water, and they finally figured out how to get the "bite" back. It's still my favorite root beer, and I've been so happy that it's available everywhere now. It used to be just during trips to see the family that I got to have it.

I think this is my favorite, tied with Barq's. The only other brand I've had is A&W, but it's my least favorite of the three. I find the flavor too strong. Mug Root Beer has a very interesting flavor. The flavor is mild, but not too mild. It's kind of like a mix of cola and root beer.

I also really like the foamy bubbles at the top. When I open a can, the bubbles of fizz rise to the top, which I find really cool. This root beer is probably the best one for ice cream floats, and a good drink to accompany your pizza.

I used to live in a small city called Covina in California, but I moved out recently. There was this pizza place called "Santa's Pizza." They have great pizza, so if you live in or near Covina, CA, you should check it out. Their prices are good, too. You can get two large slices of pizza and a can of soda for $2.29 (plus tax and CRV).

Unfortunately, they used to have cans of Mug Root Beer, but I guess they were getting too expensive, because they got removed. They still have Mug Root Beer 2-liter bottles, which is good, but I just settle for the Pepsi cans.

The first root beer I had was A&W. It was my favorite until I had this. I have never had another root beer like this. I love drinking it, and it's a special treat, mostly because it's hard to find in my area.

Now, A&W doesn't even come close to this. People don't even try to trick me with this because I can taste the difference between Dad's and A&W. This is by far my favorite thing to drink. You can't top the classics.

I may prefer Dad's over all other root beers because I grew up with it and it reminds me of the good times in the '90s. But I also love its smooth but barky flavor. I also love the design of the can itself and that it hasn't changed over time: very simple, old-school looking, and classic!

I absolutely love Henry Weinhard's Root Beer. It causes an explosion of delicious creamy bitterness on my taste buds, and I have not yet found a better root beer. A&W used to be my favorite, but then I found almost a dozen new brands, and this was easily my favorite (coming from a guy who has trouble deciding on just one).

I recommend this root beer to anyone who hasn't had a gourmet root beer. Although beware of the head. It often overflows if the pack isn't chilled properly. But the head is probably the best part, so just guzzle it anyway.

Sprecher is currently the tastiest root beer in production. I have had over 100 different root beers, including every single one on this list.

The best root beer I have ever had was Flavor 8, but they are out of business. The fact that IBC is #1 is embarrassing. IBC is a mediocre root beer at best, and those who think it is the best have certainly never had a good brew.

If you like A&W or IBC Root Beer, give Sprecher's a try. Similar to two of the other best root beers around, Sprecher's has a little extra flavor, is a little darker, slightly creamier, and pulls back on the sweetness just the right amount.

If you haven't tried this root beer, you are doing yourself a great disservice.