Michael Duncan

We start with one of the creme de la creme of root beers. Faygo Root Beer was ranked the best tasting root beer in America in 2009 by Bon Appetit magazine, which described it as “dry and crisp, with a frothy head, a good bite and a long finish.” Indeed it has all that, but it also has a creaminess that places the root beer in the upper tier of mild-flavored soft drinks.

Faygo was established in 1907 by a family of Russians (Ben and Perry Feigenson) who had immigrated to Detroit, Michigan, presumably anticipating the Bolsheviks would dislike root beer (another reason to hate the damn commies). 

But, what Russian family names their kid Ben? (A Russian who wants their kid to sell soda in America — duh!)  Anyway, they launched this root beer in 1910 and this brand soon became popular at Detroit Tiger baseball games.

In the 1950s the fictional character ”Faygo Kid” hawked the brand on early Detroit television.  No, kids, Faygo Kid is not some spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance. Although I’m sure they love their root beer too.

Now, Faygo Root Beer is mentioned in the songs of hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. I don’t know why I mention that — I don’t even know who Insane Clown Posse is — except it seems a weird bit of trivia for a root beer that is packaged in a simple brown and gold bottle.

Best quality: creaminess. Probably a little too mild for my tastes, but satisfactory for the Midwest pallet of Michigan and Ohio. Considering that Detroit has little else to be proud of — except some obscure hip hop band — it’s not bad.

Total calories: 170. Total carbs: 43 grams. Total sugar: 43 grams (100% pure cane sugar too!)

Total Score: 88

Next: Sea Dog Root Beer