3 - Filbert's Old Time Draft Root Beer
Filbert’s Old Time Draft Root Beer was launched in 1926, but even though it's been around for one HUNDRED years, most people haven’t heard of it. Filbert’s is based in Chicago, Illinois, and, at the time of writing, they offered 31 flavors.
Filbert’s Root Beer comes in a brown glass bottle. As far as I know, that is the only way you can buy it. I found it at a Hy-Vee in Urbandale, IA.
Branding
I don’t feel like much thought went into the branding. They appear to have made a sticker with a barrel on it, then added their logo and the flavor in the bottle.
The only reason it stands out on the shelf is that it is so minimal and old-fashioned looking.
Taste and Ingredients
The taste of Filbert’s is a little strange to me. You can definitely get the root beer tang within the flat, slightly fizzy drink, but it has some other flavors that you don’t find in the more mainstream root beers.
I’m not sure what to call it, but it’s a kind of cloying caramel- or vanilla-like taste. Perhaps a mix of the two, even though neither is mentioned on the label. This drink contains high-fructose corn syrup and appears to be caffeine-free.
Here’s the full list of ingredients:
The Wrap Up
While Filbert’s has been around a long time, I suspect it originally used cane sugar back in its heyday. While it is certainly drinkable, it’s not one that I would purchase often, as there are many others that simply taste better and/or have better ingredients.
Still, for something different or to support a local business, I would still be happy to drink it from time to time.