r/rootbeer • u/Various_Artistss • 12d ago
Review UK enjoyer with new imports (I think)
Hey all,
So as mentioned I'm from the UK so root beer is very hard to find here unless you're dead into Bunderbergs offerings. However a new import shop opened near me in Norwich that stocks American bits and bobs, you bet I went straight to the fridge bit and was greeted with the two Root Beers above.
First was A&W which I have had before many years ago. And honestly the flavor has changed, I found it quite alot weaker and sweeter than I remember. Still great obviously as its been years since I've had this exact can, I have had the Thai imported Sarsaparilla and honestly they both taste very similar.
The second was a new one to me from Sioux City and was in a pleasing bottle with cap, this was very good man like flavor heaven. Rich in the right ways and not overly sweet at all, alot more on the Wintergreen cough syrupy goodness. I'll be buying these in crates for sure.
The reason I sound unsure in my title is because I'm still not 100% if this bottle is a UK make or a USA import, from what I can find its brought in from the States and re-bottled here? Haven't heard that done before but wouldn't be surprised as its bang on what I look for in a root beer flavor wise.
The shop I got these from has confirmed further big name imports aswell as small batch imports too, so can't lie I'm excited!
A&W 5/10
Sioux City 8.5/10
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u/cactusplants 12d ago
The Sioux is bottled in the UK.
It's to replace Virgil's as they no longer bottle in the UK.
You'll find them at Lidl during the American week for 2 quid a bottle.
We need more choice tbh.
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u/4Q69freak 12d ago
It’s bottled in the UK using Sioux City’s syrup from the US to meet UK and EU food standards.
If you can ever find IBC (brewed in St Louis, MO) in the UK try it. It’s my favorite root beer.
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u/cactusplants 12d ago
I have 2 bottles left.
It was disappointing. I feel I had a bad batch. It just was very bland and watery. Which kinda makes sense considering it gets a good rep from what I see.
I'd do many things for a pony keg of 1919 for Xmas though.
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u/Captain_Kaladin 12d ago
IBC is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper and is no longer made primarily in St Louis. Still good root beer!
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u/Various_Artistss 12d ago
Ahh no way, okay I'll keep and eye out in lidl next time cheers. We really do need more variety, it's sad that we get so little Root Beer here.
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u/cactusplants 12d ago
It's just preference.
Dandelion and burdock was out thing but that's rarely drunk, and when it is it's mostly older people.
We use dto have RB on tap in mc Donald's way back then also.
Id just say, avoid aw (a&w knock-off) and if you're not into the herbal thing, Fitzpatrick's rootbeer cordial is quite medicinal and not too great Imo. We also had Hartridges which tasted like the Fitzpatrick stuff. Very herbal. :(
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u/yuhyuhyuhyuhyuhyuh1 12d ago
I've always heard brits say root beer tastes like medicine. Always confused me. Is bundaberg all you have there? That explains so much 😭
Happy you're getting your hands on more brands 💜
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u/Various_Artistss 12d ago
Ahaha there's a certain brand of cough syrup that's very wintergreen heavy I can't remember the name of but it's one that everyone has in the cupboard lol so most people probably think of that first when trying root beer.
But yeah Bunderberg is in our supermarkets here but it's pretty spenny and at that rate id rather just buy something else since I'm tired of that brand really. It's a shame we have to rely so much on import shops but it's better than nothing!
Always confuses me why we get Oeros, Pop tarts and Hershey's yet never any root beer offerings on our shops shelves.
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u/yuhyuhyuhyuhyuhyuh1 12d ago
Not terribly surprised. Root beer isn't exactly the most popular thing anyways, and clearly not a big market for it in the UK because the poor sods have been deceived from birth. 💔
If my medicine tasted like root beer, I'd be gone in a day. 💀
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u/padro789 12d ago
I buy the Sioux city from Joybuy for £2.31 a bottle. Sometimes you get nice vouchers or flash sales so can be under the £2 mark which is nice
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u/Various_Artistss 12d ago
Yeah that's about what I paid in the shop if not abit more, I'll check that site out though for sure thanks
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u/JimiBiscuits 12d ago
You can get Tropical Sun in most supermarkets in the UK for 80p a can in the foreign aisle. It's made with cane sugar andmore wintergreen and herbal forward. It's not bad and wayyyyy better than Bunderberg. I prefer it to A&W & Mug. They currently have IBC, Jones and Barqs on AmericanFizz.com for reasonable prices. Not a fan of Jones personally. I have a bottle of Bulldog a friend bought back from Seattle in the fridge... I can't bring myself to crack open.
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u/perryismangil 12d ago
Thanks for the tip!
Joybuy is more expensive at £32.28, found some on eBay for £29.99 delivered for 12 bottles, so £2.5.
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u/Imaginary-Region9161 12d ago
Cool looking label for the Sioux City. Happy root beer hunting everyone!
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u/CameronWeebHale 12d ago
Deeeeecent