You know, I had to add a new category for this one.
Anyway, the simple truth is, I drink a lot of root beer. I have for years. When I was 16, a co-worker at the Northlake Mall B. Dalton Bookseller said I was like a cartoon character, like Linus with his blanket … I’m the one who’s always drinking the root beer. I’ve tried a number of varieties, and there is just about always a case of Diet A&W in my fridge (the real aged vanilla makes it a treat). It makes a great nighttime soda. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d usually stick with one of the classics, venerable IBC (the king) or ubiquitous A&W. My tastes tend to the simple.
But since I’ve found Jones Root Beer, I may have to reevaluate. It’s got all the classic sassafras root beer taste with a very pleasant vanilla aftertaste. It’s a little sharper than you might expect; it’s a grownup’s soda. But it’s surprisingly delicious. The Jones Root Beer has one secret that lifts it above so many others: it’s made with real cane sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup.
Now, I’m not debating the relative health benefits of either product, especially since I am pretty sure that neither one has any. But to me at least, cane sugar just tastes better, and that difference is especially obvious in soda. It has a subtler sweetness, and a slightly different taste that’s hard to describe. It’s also less, well, sticky, and more refreshing. In summer especially, that’s a good thing.
I actually forgot to photograph my first delicious root beer float, so I was forced to make another. Truly, a dedicated blogger's work is never done. You're welcome.I found Jones Root Beer at my local Kroger, and bought it more or less on impulse, since they were out of my usual Diet A&W. The bigger Krogers also carry the cane sugar version of Coca-Cola (in little glass bottles on the bottom shelf of the Mexican food aisle), so they may single-handly start a cane sugar soda Renaissance. I hope so. Try some. The difference will, I think, surprise you. Jones also makes a heck of a root beer float. Use the Breyer’s All-Natural Vanilla with the real vanilla bean specs. If the store is out, go elsewhere. Do not repeat my mistake and let yourself be conned into getting the extra-creamy variety. It’s not the same thing. It’s just not.
Anyway, Jones Root Beer, on its own or as a key ingredient in a a root beer float, is a perfect summer treat. Even if, like me, you have to wait until your wife is out of town.
John Adcox (he/him) has been a cross-media communications and content strategist, producer, user experience designer, and writer for more than twenty years. Presently, he is the CEO of The Story Plant/Gramarye Media.
Over the course of his career in advertising, marketing, and new media John has held a number of titles including Executive Producer, Vice President of Digital Media, Creative Director, Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services, and even CEO. In addition, he has hosted a radio show, acted professionally (although not since age 15), designed and written scripts for computer games, written a play for a professional theatre company, taught university astronomy, and written reviews and articles on topics including mythology, psychology, technology, religion, marketing strategy, and fantasy.
John was the Lay Leader at Inman Park United Methodist Church, and is now a member of Neighborhood Church Atlanta, a progressive, challenging, intellectually-engaging, warm, tightly-knit, and activist congregation that encourages connection, questions, and exploration. His many, many interests include books and literature (he is insufferably proud of his library), religion and philosophy, mythology, the Arthurian legends, travel, baseball, science fiction and fantasy, marketing communications, Celtic music and lore, new media, theatre, and politics, not to mention astronomy and cosmological physics, as well as the lesser sciences. He was knighted by the late King Richard Booth of the nation/village of Hay-on-Wye (the famous book town on the border between England and Wales) and was ordained a minister on the Internet (he recently performed his first wedding). So he is properly the Right Reverend Sir John. He is very happily married to the fabulous Carol Bales (Lady Bales of Hay). The couple makes their home in Atlanta.
John has published three novels, Raven Wakes the World: A Winter Tale, Christmas Past: A Ghostly Winter Tale, and The Star in the East: A Winter Tale of Ancient Mystery. Two more, Make Up Test: A Rom-Com Winter Tale and Blackthorne Faire are coming soon, and many more are forthcoming.
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7 thoughts on “Root Beer Review: Jones Root Beer”
So what do you think of Barq’s? I like it better than other root beers, although something in it gives me indigestion!?
It’s the only root beer with caffeine, which is a plus unless you happen to want some late at night. I liked it better before Coca-Cola bought them, and it suffers from being a little too available. Through no fault of it’s own, its ready availability makes it sort of the Bass Ale of root beer. It’s sort of the generic measuring stick. Also, it tends to be mixed poorly on fast food fountains.
Man, that’s damning with faint praise, for both Barq’s and Bass, both of which are only “bland” because of familiarity. Nothing gets to be ubiquitous unless there is something to offer. I’ll try some again this week though. Barq’s deserves better.
“Also, it tends to be mixed poorly on fast food fountains.” Amen, brother! It’s as if the people who work there don’t know what it should taste like. And too many fountain drinks are too syrupy, to my tongue.
Or too weak. They should send instructions or something. Seriously, there seems to be a range that is considered acceptable. I don’t think there is. It’s perfect, or it’s not.
You know, I had to add a new category for this one. 
John Adcox: Thoughts on My Author’s Journey 
So what do you think of Barq’s? I like it better than other root beers, although something in it gives me indigestion!?
It’s the only root beer with caffeine, which is a plus unless you happen to want some late at night. I liked it better before Coca-Cola bought them, and it suffers from being a little too available. Through no fault of it’s own, its ready availability makes it sort of the Bass Ale of root beer. It’s sort of the generic measuring stick. Also, it tends to be mixed poorly on fast food fountains.
Man, that’s damning with faint praise, for both Barq’s and Bass, both of which are only “bland” because of familiarity. Nothing gets to be ubiquitous unless there is something to offer. I’ll try some again this week though. Barq’s deserves better.
But seriously, the real sugar makes a difference.
“Also, it tends to be mixed poorly on fast food fountains.” Amen, brother! It’s as if the people who work there don’t know what it should taste like. And too many fountain drinks are too syrupy, to my tongue.
Or too weak. They should send instructions or something. Seriously, there seems to be a range that is considered acceptable. I don’t think there is. It’s perfect, or it’s not.
Check for cane sugar sodas where you get kosher foods, too, btw.