A&W: the iconic American root beer

A&W is THE American root beer, the one you've seen in countless movies and shows. Born in 1919 in California, it's a creamy, fizzy soda with a rich vanilla-and-spice flavor, caffeine-free, with that distinctive taste unlike any European soda (fair warning: you'll either love it at first sip, or need two or three to win you over). Its all-time classic? The root beer float — a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into a tall glass of ice-cold A&W. Here you'll find the real A&W imported straight from the States, in both original and sugar-free versions.

Where does A&W come from?

The story kicks off in 1919, in California. Roy Allen bought a root beer recipe from a pharmacist and set up a stand in Lodi, on the day of a parade honoring WWI veterans. He served his root beer ice-cold in frosty mugs, five cents a glass. An instant hit. In 1922, he teamed up with employee Frank Wright — combining their initials, Allen & Wright, to create the name "A&W".

The timing was perfect: with Prohibition banning alcohol, a soda with "beer" in its name, served over a counter like a real bar, had everything going for it.

What does root beer taste like?

Root beer is neither cola nor lemonade: it's a creamy, smooth, fizzy soda led by vanilla and a blend of spices and herbs. Let's be honest: you either fall in love at first sip, or you need two or three to come around. Good news: A&W is caffeine-free.

The root beer float, a must-try

One or two scoops of vanilla ice cream dropped into a tall glass of ice-cold root beer. The ice cream slowly melts, the foam rises, and you get an indulgent dessert-drink somewhere between a milkshake and a soda. In the US it even has its own holiday: August 6.