I came across Summit Vintage at an ALDI, which has become fairly popular in the United States over the past decade. Make no mistake, this is a store brand. But the reason why I’m reviewing Summit Vintage is because it comes in a bottle. Most store brands do not, or at least, I haven’t seen very many. I’m hoping it’s not like Kroger’s Big K.
An ALDI Brand
The bottle is fairly plain, if not a little boring. The font, styling, and design, is very 60s. The white and brown coloring seems to suggest a creamy experience. Maybe that’s true?
Background
Who knows what mysteries exist in the background to Summit Vintage Root Beer. Certainly not me! I imagine it’s just a concoction to compete in the United States.
Ingredients
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- Caramel Color
- Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)
- Citric Acid
There’s nothing important to say here other than what else could I expect?
Tasting
Unscrewing Summit Vintage left me with quite a strong hiss and noticeable release of pressure. The smell is somewhat bleak, bitter, and reduced. On first taste, as I anticipated after the intense pressure release, the carbonation is incredibly strong. It’s literally the only thing I could experience when I first took a sip. My eyes watered.
After a few more sips, the flavor does become apparent. It’s sweet. I mean: overwhelmingly so. Summit Vintage is very subtle in its root beer flavor, but it is fairly traditional and unobjectionable. It’s not very creamy, somewhat bitter, and there is some mint lurking in the background. Overall, it’s got most of what you might expect. I feel like, though, at this point, it’s closer to sugar water than root beer. The flavor is just too displaced.
Over time, the reduction in carbonation makes it easier to discern flavors. This brew seriously benefits from breathing. I now notice that it’s got spiciness to it that lingers, and I’ve started to notice the mint stick around, but it’s not very refreshing. It’s honestly not a bad combination. The aftertaste is muted, like the brew, which is nice, I suppose. The sugar is so intense; however, that it leaves a film inside of my mouth. Water is just no match. The overall flavor though, is really still too muted for me.
Conclusion
With creamier root beers, there is a reduction in the overall traditional root beer flavor, but the overall flavor itself is still highly apparent. This is not the case with Summit Vintage. It’s OK. I mean, it’s not great, and barely good, but it’s better than most store brands I’ve come across. If you like muted, mildly spicy brews that are oozing sugar, this is a solid option. It’s just not the one I’m looking for. That being said, depending on my options, I wouldn’t turn this down. I think I’d rather have a tall glass of water though. I think that if this root beer could just lift its flavor and reduce its overwhelming sugary mouthfeel, then it would really make a run for the next tier.
Rating: ♛♛♕♕♕ – 2/5
Hi buddy, where’d you go? You should post some more, I’m surprised you haven’t posted about A&W root beer, that’s a classic. You should host a top 10 type of list for root beer so people who come by know whats what right off the rip. Yep. That’s the idea. Tahnks for sharing your reviews. Nice web site.
Hi Cam,
Thank you for your message. I sincerely apologize, first, for taking so long to reply to your comment, and second, for my hiatus. I have been preoccupied by a variety of personal situations that happened back-to-back, so I haven’t had the energy I expect from myself to put toward these posts.
I have always felt strange about reviewing standard canned root beers, like A&W, Barqs, and the like. But maybe it’s time I give them a go? If there’s a demand, I should probably supply!
I’m not sure about a top 10. Everyone’s tastes are different, and I don’t want to impose my will on others too much (which is why my rating system is so unique to me.)
I really appreciate your kind words. I will endeavor to get back into updating this site soon.
I love it!!! Prior to this l, I was hooked on IBC, but that’s not easy to find. Summit reminds me of homemade rootbeer, which I loved as a little girl. It has a familiar taste that I couldn’t place at first, but I’ve got it now…old-fashioned rootbeer barrel candy. The most important thing, drink it icy cold, no ice.
Hi J,
I appreciate your comment. I really enjoyed those little A&W root beer barrel candies when I was a kid, too.
The bottle doesn’t have all the ingredients on it I looked on the internet and it says it has caramel color which I am severely allergic to.
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for your comment. I am so sorry to hear that you’re allergic to caramel color. I would strongly recommend reaching out to the manufacturer and letting them know.
I also have a reason to reach out to manufacturers when looking into specific ingredients, and I often find that I need to contact them via email or phone before I purchase just to be sure. I understand the annoyance that brings.
I just tried some of this root beer in the past week or so. My experience with the carbonation seems opposite of yours. Mine drank very smooth and if anything had too little carbonation. Maybe something changed with their production, or different plants prepare it differently.
Hi Wata,
Thank you for your comment. I fear that sometimes root beers sit on warehouse shelves for a long period of time, and that can affect carbonation and flavor. It’s really a mixed bag, which means sometimes my reviews aren’t always reflective of everyone else’s experiences.
This is the best root beer I have ever had! I am in my mud 50’s and have never written to a product manufacturer to tell them how much I like thier product.
Please keep making it. Thank you for a really great soda!
Hi Janet,
I appreciate your comment. I am not the manufacturer of this root beer. It’s from Aldi’s. I have gone ahead and forwarded your message to their customer support team, and let them know that you enjoyed it. Hopefully the right team gets your feedback, and they can feel the appreciation!