Rootbeer

[JackDanielsU]

Did they used to have this in McDonalds in the UK, or was it just wishful thinking.

[paddy_36]

Not wishful thinking, they definitely did sell it here.

[paddy_36]

Probably wasn't popular enough here to continue selling it. I remember thinking it tasted ok, but was a bit like mouthwash! Don't know if there's a Sainsbury's near you (as in the previous post) but you can buy it online here:

http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/

[spudqueen]

At Disneys Magic Kingdom went on the Century Carousel ride (or something like that) where they said that root beer was just sarsparilla with a new name. Walt can't be wrong can he?

[NewDazzler]

Sainsbury's (boooooooo!!!) have just changed the recipe to include phenylalanine a sweetening chemical that I will not touch. I managed to find a couple of bottle of the old stuff on the shelf, but I'm all out of root beer now, I found some really nice stuff, imported from the US, I think it was called Hansen's but just the once, never saw it again, good value too 24 330ml cans for �8. If anyone knows wher I can get more please let me know, cheers.

[123paul]

Yes they did. The supermarket versions are poor. There is a website some were offering imported drinks incl rootbeer.

The Selfridges foodhall has A&W.

[Xollob]

I can remember drinking this at McD's many, many years ago - it must have been on a visit to London in the late 70s/early 80s. It was vile; and it must have been very vile indeed for me to remember this so vividly after so many years.

And no, this is not sarsaparilla "by any other name".
Sarsaparilla: good (if it's the real thing). Root beer: bad.

[frizzytwig]

I remember Mcdonalds root beer. Loved, it, tasted vaguely like Germaline.

[frizzytwig]

I mean tasted like the smell of Germaline, which of course I have never eaten.

[snapdarlich]

You can buy rootbeer in cases from costco for about �4 for 24 cans. Can't remember the manufacturer, but it was organic and sugar free. And about twenty cans went in the bin. Yuk.

[vehelpfulguy]

I have seen "real" alcohol for sale in McDonalds abroad.

Beer and Wine in Belgium and France for example.

[crisgal]

could you explain what that chemical is please NEWDAZZLER and why you won't eat it?

[gary baldy]

The common denominator between rootbeer and germolene is Winterfresh (a herb i presume-like mint). In the states you can get really nice winterfresh chewing gum that makes your breath smell of germolene. The uk version is nothing like as strong - winterfresh must be an american thing!

[alan30]

Crisgal; look at this site

http://www.sweetpoison.com/phenylalanine.html

Aspartame is a sweetener used in a lot of drinks these days. My daughter who is asthmatic tends to have problems with this sweetener as do I; it makes me feel sick and gives me a headache very quickly.

[dingbat63]

Isn't that the stuff that tastes like Germolene?

[peesha]

I remember them them doing it years ago.

There is a fast food place in Glasgow that is half KFC and half A&W I think its a burger place, they sell it in big frosted pint glasses and its excellent. Don't know if they have one down your way though but its worth a try.