Root beer has been a 0% alcohol soft drink since Charles Hires introduced it as “the temperance drink” back in 1876, but the category is far from one-note. Some brands lean hard into vanilla and caramel, some use real cane sugar instead of corn syrup for a cleaner finish, and a few are still made the small batch way in glass bottles. Here’s how six of the most widely available options actually compare.
Best Root Beer Brands 2026, Ranked
| Rank | Beer | Style | ABV | Calories | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virgil’s Handcrafted Root Beer | Cane sugar, caffeine free | 0% | 160 per 12 oz can | 4.7/5 |
| 2 | A&W Root Beer | Corn syrup, caffeine free | 0% | 170 per 12 oz can | 4.3/5 |
| 3 | Barq’s Root Beer | Corn syrup, caffeine added | 0% | 160 per 12 oz can | 4.2/5 |
| 4 | IBC Root Beer | Corn syrup, glass bottle, caffeine free | 0% | 160 per 12 oz bottle | 4.1/5 |
| 5 | Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer | Corn syrup, glass bottle, caffeine free | 0% | 170 per 12 oz bottle | 4.0/5 |
| 6 | Sioux City Root Beer | Cane sugar, glass bottle, caffeine free | 0% | 170 per 12 oz bottle | 4.0/5 |
Virgil’s Handcrafted Root Beer
The best-tasting option in this list by a clear margin. Virgil’s uses real cane sugar and a heavier hand with vanilla and licorice root, giving it a richer, less syrupy finish than the corn syrup brands. It’s become the go-to pick for people who grew up on A&W but want something that tastes handcrafted.
A&W Root Beer
The most recognizable root beer in the US, and for good reason: A&W’s thick vanilla-forward flavor is what most people picture when they think “root beer.” Sweet, smooth, and available basically everywhere.
Barq’s Root Beer
Barq’s stands out for one reason: it actually has caffeine, unlike almost every other root beer brand. The flavor is sharper and less sweet than A&W, with more of a bite that makes it feel closer to an actual beer in body if not in alcohol content.
IBC Root Beer
IBC has been around since 1919 and still leans on its glass bottle format as the main selling point. The flavor is smooth and creamy, closer to A&W than Barq’s, and the bottle genuinely does make it taste colder and less flat than a can.
Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer
A drive-in era brand with a wintergreen-forward flavor that’s more distinct than most modern root beers. It’s less sweet than A&W and has a slightly medicinal, old fashioned character that fans specifically seek out.
Sioux City Root Beer
A smaller regional brand that punches above its size, using cane sugar and a spicier sassafras-forward profile than the mainstream brands. Harder to find in stores but worth seeking out if you like a less sweet root beer.
Corn syrup vs cane sugar root beer
The single biggest factor separating these six brands is the sweetener. A&W, Barq’s, IBC, and Dad’s all use high fructose corn syrup, which gives a thicker, more syrupy sweetness. Virgil’s and Sioux City use cane sugar instead, producing a cleaner finish with less lingering sweetness. Neither is more or less “real” root beer, but if a corn syrup soda has ever tasted flat or one-note to you, a cane sugar brand is the fix.
FAQ
What is the number 1 selling root beer brand?
A&W Root Beer is generally the top selling root beer brand in the US by volume, thanks to its wide grocery and fast food distribution.
Which root beer has the most root beer flavor?
Sioux City and Virgil’s lean hardest into a spicier, more sassafras-forward flavor. A&W and Dad’s are sweeter and more vanilla-forward by comparison.
Does any root beer actually contain caffeine?
Barq’s is the main exception among major brands and does contain caffeine. Nearly every other root beer, including A&W, IBC, Dad’s, Virgil’s, and Sioux City, is caffeine free.
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Gear to Serve It Right
Turning one of these into a float? See our full root beer float guide, or check our homebrew soda recipe if you want to try brewing your own.
