Best Places To Buy Hard Root Beer

Hard root beer is a type of alcoholic soda that has been taking the market by storm. With its unique flavour and aroma, this beverage is the perfect adult twist on a classic drink. If you're looking to get your hands on some, you can try popular brands like Not Your Father's Root Beer, which is available at Kroger, or Crazy Uncle Hard Root Beer, which can be found at LCBO. These drinks are designed to taste just like regular root beer, making them a fun and unexpected treat for those who enjoy the occasional alcoholic beverage.

'Not Your Father's' Root Beer

Not Your Father's Root Beer is a unique, dark spiced ale with vanilla and honey notes. It's crafted by Small Town Brewery, which makes specialty beers with distinctive ingredients and a nostalgic taste. You can purchase this beverage at various retailers, both in-store and online.

One option for purchasing Not Your Father's Root Beer is Target. Target offers a 6-pack of 12 fl oz bottles, which has received positive reviews from customers, earning 4.7 out of 5 stars. You can check the availability at your local Target store or order online through their website.

Another retailer to consider is Kroger. Kroger offers the same 6-pack of 12 fl oz bottles with a 5.9% ABV. You can visit their website to find a store near you or check the availability of this product at your local Kroger store.

If you're looking for a larger quantity, the Mega Package Store is an online retailer that specializes in alcohol sales. They offer Not Your Father's Root Beer, although specific package sizes are not mentioned. This website requires confirmation that you are at least 21 years old to enter and purchase, as they adhere to strict policies regarding the sale of alcohol to minors.

By visiting the websites of these retailers, you can find the most up-to-date information on pricing, availability, and any promotions they may be offering. Remember to always drink responsibly and adhere to local laws and regulations regarding the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Crazy Uncle Hard Root Beer

You can check the availability of Crazy Uncle Hard Root Beer at your nearest LCBO store by visiting their website. The product is also available for online purchase through the LCBO website, with free in-store pickup and delivery options.

Small Town Brewery

Kovac first started homebrewing in 1988, and the brewery's first product, Not Your Father's Root Beer, was released in Illinois in 2012. It was initially sold in its 19.5% ABV incarnation in kegs at local bars and liquor stores. The brewery then did two small bottling runs of a 10.7% ABV root beer in 22-ounce bottles, and in November 2014, they released 12-ounce bottles of a 5.9% ABV version.

In March 2015, Small Town Brewery partnered with Pabst Brewing Company to distribute the Not Your Father's brand nationally. The Small Town Brewery taproom in Wauconda opened on October 15, 2015, serving a rotating cycle of 16 Small Town beers, with flavours including French Toast, Bourbon Pecan, and Strawberry Rhubarb.

Not Your Father's Root Beer is a traditionally made beer brewed with botanicals, spices, and herbs such as wintergreen, sarsaparilla bark, anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla bean, and honey, giving it the taste of an old-fashioned root beer. It is available in two ABV levels: 5.9% and 10.7%. The 5.9% ABV 6-pack bottles were the best-selling craft beer in the United States in 2015.

In addition to their root beer, Small Town Brewery also offered other unique beers, such as a brown, an amber, and a Christmas beer. The company ceased operations in 2019, with Kovac opening a new taproom in Cary under the name Spirit Water.

Hard Root Beer in the USA

Hard root beer has been taking off in the USA, with many breweries now offering their own version of the drink. Hard root beer is an alcoholic version of the classic root beer, designed to taste like the original soft drink but with an added kick. It's a unique drink that has been described as having the "unmistakable taste of nostalgia".

One of the most well-known brands of hard root beer is Not Your Father's Root Beer, originally made by Small Town Brewery in Chicago. This drink has received a lot of attention and has been distributed across 25 states. It has a 5.9% ABV and is described as a dark spiced ale with notes of vanilla and honey. It's available at Kroger, where you can buy a pack of 6 bottles.

Another brand to try is Crazy Uncle Hard Root Beer, which is available at LCBO. This hard root beer has been described as having aromas and flavours of root beer, vanilla, brown sugar, fig, and caramel. It pairs well with burgers and fries or a chili hot dog.

Other hard root beer options include Coney Island by Boston Beer, Rowdy Root Beer by Berghoff Beer, and Sprecher Hard Root Beer by Milwaukee's Sprecher. These brands are worth trying, but it's worth noting that hard root beer is generally very sweet, which may be off-putting for some.

If you're looking for a boozy root beer experience, you can also try making your own by mixing regular root beer with vanilla vodka, Crown Vanilla, or bourbon.

Hard Root Beer in Canada

Hard root beer has become increasingly popular in Canada in recent years, with several options now available to purchase.

Where to Buy

Hard root beer can be purchased at the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) and The Beer Store in Ontario, as well as at various liquor and beer outlets across the province. In British Columbia and Alberta, hard root beer is available at local liquor stores, and in Quebec, it can be found at the SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec). Online delivery options may also be available depending on your location.

Brands Available in Canada

There are several brands of hard root beer available in Canada, including:

• Cariboo Hard Root Beer: This 5.5% beverage combines the original Cariboo Root Beer recipe with Canadian-made vodka and natural spring water. It is available in British Columbia and Alberta.
• Crazy Uncle Hard Root Beer: With a 5% alcohol content, this hard root beer can be found at the LCBO in Ontario. It offers aromas and flavours of root beer, vanilla, brown sugar, fig, and caramel.
• Hires Hard Root Beer: Hires has over 140 years of experience in crafting root beer, and their hard root beer combines the classic taste with vodka. It is available in 473ml bottles.
• Dusty Boots Hard Root Beer: Produced by Iconic Brewing, this hard root beer has an alcohol content of 5.9%. It pours a deep amber colour and has a fluffy off-white head. It has a mild taste and is known for being easy to drink.
• Mill St. Distillery Root Beer: This root beer is blended with vanilla porter bierschnapps and has an alcohol content of 5.2%. It has a dry finish and a strong boozy aroma.
• Mad Jack Premium Hard Root Beer: Brewed by Molson Coors, this 5% hard root beer has a deep red-brown colour. It has a malty taste with underlying root beer flavours.

Root Beer Flavours and Taste

Root beer tends to be a divisive drink due to its unique flavour profile. The main ingredients that often turn people off are anise, which tastes similar to licorice, and wintergreen, which has a minty flavour reminiscent of toothpaste or medicine. However, there is no traditional formula for root beer, and it originally started with Native Americans using tree roots, bark, and herbs to create the beverage.

Hard root beer has gained popularity in recent years, with both large US and Canadian brewers joining the trend. While some people enjoy the unique taste of hard root beer, others may find it too sweet or too boozy. It is recommended to try different brands and flavours to find your preferred taste.

Frequently asked questions