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Pirate's Keg

Gourmet Root Beer

PO Box 25107 - Rochester, New York 14625 USA
Tel: 585-381-3560 Fax: 585-381-4025

Review:  It was the best of beers, it was the worst of beers.  Pirate's Keg finished number one in our 2001 Taste-Off, only to drop ignominiously to number 8, of 9 in our 2002 Taste-Off.  Our hypothesis is that the 2002 bottle had outlived its shelf-life, and thus was below its best.

        In 2001, although one participant called it "boring," Pirate's Keg was first in over-all mouthfeel and 2nd in over-all flavor, to capture the over-all average crown and tie for first in the over-all root neer experience category.  It was hailed for "big burps."

        In 2002, as one of the three returning champions in the test, it faired poorly.  Almost total lack of carbonation led us to believe the bottle had expired -- :if it had more carbonation it could be a strong contender," noted Tom.  "No aftertaste," "syrupy" and "good aroma" were all tossed around.  

        Pirate's Keg remains a favorite.  It has subtle vanilla overtones, and is sweet but not too sweet.  "It has an "I-am-closely-related-to-cream-soda' type of feel to it," says chef CB (of "chef cb presents the foodpage" fame).

The image of the old bottle (2001) is on the right, the new bottle (2005) is on the left.

2001 Cole Family Taste-Off

2002 Cole Family Taste-Off 

Cole Family Taste-Off Combined Averages, 2001-2002

Links:  

        Wet Planet Beverages, maker of Pirate's Keg

Acquired:  From Larry the Soda Guy in Santa Barbara.

Available:  Mail order, and at Beverages and More Stores in the SF Bay Area.

Luke's Root Beer Homepage  +  Root Beer Rankings

2001 Root Beer Taste-off  +  2002 Root Beer Taste-off

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