19 - Bedford's Root Beer
Bedford’s root beer is sold by Orca Beverage Co, although Bedford also has its own website. Bedford’s has been made by Orca since 1984 and was founded in Port Angeles, Washington.
Bedford currently uses pure cane sugar and bottles everything in glass across all their soda lines
Branding
Bedford’s branding seems a bit slipshod. The bottle I had had the neck sticker applied slightly off-kilter and off-center from the larger one on the bottle. The logo is fine in and of itself, but the colors aren’t bold enough to stick out from the crowd.
Taste and Ingredients
Bedford’s has a nice root beer odor when you first open the bottle, with maybe a hint of caramel. The first sip is smooth with only a little carbonation, although I wouldn’t exactly call it flat.
There is a strange flavor right as you swallow that might be attributed to gum arabic quillaia, or maybe some unnamed ingredient. I’m not sure how to describe it, except perhaps as a fake fruity or rootsy flavor.
The main components taste good, but that strange one is off-putting. I like that this is yet another soda with pure cane sugar and mostly readable ingredients.
The Wrap Up
In general, I enjoyed Bedford’s root beer offering. The drink is pretty good, other than that odd taste that you get.
Give them a try, if you can find them. Or go on vacation in Washington state. They might be easier to locate there.