April 3, 2019
Fitz’s Pi Ginger Beer | A Review
In 1947 St. Louis, a drive-in opened its doors, serving burgers to the locals alongside a cold, draft Fitz’s Root Beer. Something special was created that day and though the restaurant ultimately didn’t survive, the Fitz’s name was not forgotten.
Plans emerged about 45 years later to revive everything that made the original so great, including that magical root beer. Bottling it became a priority but using new machinery didn’t seem to fit the mission. A nationwide search turned out successful when a vintage 1940’s bottling line was located in a Wisconsin barn. That bottling line was installed into the new restaurant and now, while they munch on burgers or pizza, patrons can watch Fitz’s assortment of classic sodas poured into bottles and served up cold.
The label is mostly gray and black with a halo of green ringing the logo. Most other Fitz’s varieties come in brightly hued wrapping but the Pi Ginger Beer, a later addition, appeared after most of those saturated colors were taken. Perhaps that’s why the palette runs so dark. Even so, they complement the vintage design and even lend to the classic feel.
A long-neck bottle was chosen, dark brown and very appropriate. There’s a reasonable 140-calorie price for this ginger beer. Flavored naturally, it uses filtered carbonated water and pure cane sugar. There’s the omnipresent sodium benzoate working preservative duty and some caramel color was used. The final result is a clear, golden liquid with no sediment and little carbonation. Not much scent either.
Sweetness starts off the show as planned. The ginger appears but never fully materializes, light and mild, virtually no heat. A hint of syrup passes through. Sugary describes the finish.
The taste here is not that of a ginger beer, but of a ginger ale, plus it demonstrates the syrupy characteristic found in a brown soft drink. Considering there’s minimal ginger and no kick, it’s hard to make a case for ginger beer fans to prioritize sampling this. A stop at Fitz’s while in St. Louis is still on the to-do list, but the best idea is to probably stick to something they’re renowned for: the root beer.
Final Decision: Fifth Tier – Skippable
Purchased at: Beverages Direct | Online availability at: Fitz’s, Antiqology
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