12 - Barq's Root Beer
Barq’s was originally created way back in 1898, but Coca-Cola took control of the drink in 1995 and has become quite popular ever since. Barq’s has regular and diet versions of the root beer. There is also a Barq’s red creme soda, French vanilla creme, and a cherry bite version.
Branding
Barq’s branding features a silver can with the Barq’s logo emblazoned on it. I can’t be sure, but they may be trying to make the drink look like a beer can with its colors.
However, this works since there aren’t many silver drinks outside of perhaps certain diet sodas.
The logo is recognizable, and you’ll find it in many restaurants and stores. Barq’s may not be as recognizable as A&W, but it’s found in many more locations.
Taste and Ingredients
Barq’s is known to have “bite”. I believe the bite comes from the fact that Barq’s is the only mainstream root beer to contain caffeine. I feel like it also has a bit more carbonation than A&W or Mug. According to Google Gemini, the caffeine content is roughly 22mg per 12 fl oz. However, the fountain version of Barq’s is often uncaffeinated.
I personally like the way Barq’s tastes. It isn’t smooth and creamy like A&W tends to be. Instead, I would call it a stronger-tasting root beer with more of a rootsy, perhaps licorice, flavor.
Unfortunately, Barq’s went with high fructose corn syrup as its primary sweetener.
The Wrap Up
I like Barq’s. If I need a little caffeine and want root beer, it’s pretty much the only player outside the energy drink market, which usually has too much or contains other ingredients I may not want in large quantities.