Red Arrow

The Pooj points us in the right direction.

(Rocket Fizz Las Vegas, November 2011)

Red Arrow Root Beer is thought to be named after the Red Arrow Brigade, one of the many names given to the 32nd Infantry Division of the US Army National Guard. The unit was originally formed by joining divisions from Wisconsin and Michigan, the latter of which being Red Arrow Root Beer's home state, and had roots reaching way back to the US Civil War, when they were known both as the Iron Brigade and the Iron Jaw Division. During WWI, they were the first Allied division to penetrate the German Hindenburg Line, an achievement that actually earned them the name "Red Arrow Brigade" though it was only one of many achievements that earned them the nickname "Les Terribles" given by the French.

Thankfully Red Arrow Root Beer is anything but terrible. It starts with a somewhat strongly anise-leaning scent, moving towards a nice wintergreen bite, ending with a smooth sweet finish. Along the way, there are sharp herb-y tones and a menthol-y aftertaste that lingers in the sinuses in a good way. Carbonation is on the stronger side of the middle, but it’s not out of my comfort zone – that is, it gives a good punch, but doesn't dull the senses, which still allows flavors to come through clearly without having to wait for the carbonation to dissipate (though there's really no head to speak of).

Many a root beer claims to have a "classic" flavor, but Red Arrow Root Beer lives up to what a “classic flavor" should be. Not quite the perfect root beer, but pretty dang good. I’ll give it a low 4.5.