While Hires fell victim to mergers and acquisitions, the others are still doing just fine. In fact, A & W is said to be the gold standard in judging root beer. You don't have to buy it ...

Because 'powder root tea,' the name of the original concoction, just didn't sound like it had the kick that beer, the miners' poison of choice, did. Fortunately for Charles E. Hires, the man ...