Kirks Big Sars—Contender #7

I've mentioned my wife's dislike of the stronger sarsaparilla's and the fact that she has a favourite brand of sarsaparilla. This is that sars. For quite some time this was probably the most popular sarsaparilla in these parts (Queensland, Australia). I'm not sure if it's the times that are changing or if it's simply a decision that Kirks has made, but this is becoming a drink that is more and more difficult to find. Especially in either 600mL bottle or 375mL can variety.

It was never the fanciest sarsaparilla, but it was, and still is, one of the easiest to drink. Put simply, it tastes good.

Kirks Big Sars—sold in Australia by CCA— is one of those sarsaparillas that is not overly rich in taste, but is instead high in easy-to-drink flavour. It's probably why my wife likes it so much. It's perhaps the best introduction to sarsaparilla for someone who has never tried it before. I love sarsaparilla, but I can easily understand many people not liking it if their first taste is of one of the richer varieties.

Being easy to drink made it a much easier finish at the 600mL size. I may have mentioned this before, but that is not necessarily a good thing. I even managed to drink the entire bottle without feeling the inclination to burp the alphabet. To be honest I was trying to drink this 'under the radar' so I wouldn't have to share. I was caught out once I'd finished the drink though. The only sarsaparilla my wife drinks and I didn't give her any. That's what she gets though for continuing to drink cola around me.

Back to the Big Sars though, I would have to say that its strong point to many—it's ease of drink and not overly rich taste—is also a weakness in this competition. There is nothing about it that makes it stick in the mind afterwards. For an everyday drink, it is fantastic. A potential competition winner though? Probably not.