Bundaberg Australian Root Beer
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Our world spanning travels to seek out the best root beer brings us this week to Australia. Actually I'm still at home in my pajamas, but with this cool bottle of Bundaberg Root Beer in my hand, it's like I'm there. I also have a "'Crocodile' Dundee" marathon on. That's not true, actually I said that just so I could use the double quotes around "Crocodile."
Speaking of "'Crocodile' Dundee" (see I did it again) do you remember the scene where Michael J. "Mick" "Crocodile" Dundee (portrayed by Paul Hogan) has a knife pulled out on him and he says "that's not a knife...this is a knife" and pulls out a giant Australian-sized knife? Well, the flavor of this root beer is that big knife to the small knives of other root beers.
Actually I don't know if that's true either, I just wanted to use the analogy, and it gave me a chance to use the double quotes again. Flavor, though, is the, well, interesting point of this beverage. As you may have seen or heard us debate on Popcast Episode 4, Bundaberg has a flavor unlike anything else. It's not bad, in fact it's good. Just pinpointing everything that is in it and describing the final results that hit your tongue is difficult.
It contains sarsaparilla root and flavor, vanilla bean, licorice and molasses. The sarsaparilla root and flavor is what provides the traditional root beer taste here, which is almost a cameo rather than the featured player. The vanilla bean, licorice and molasses sort of combine to a smooth, almost bitey sweetness that I've never tasted before in a beverage. This is the same part that we both agree almost tastes like there is the slightest hint of lemon. Again, there is no lemon, but there is no other way to describe it.
This is easily the most difficult beverage I've had to review. Easy to drink, difficult to describe. Wow that's a good line. Don't you dare take that my line, Bundaberg! I suppose it's too late. I suppose I'd be honored. Or honoured. One more Australian thing for you: Yahoo Serious. That is all.
-Mike
