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Hires Root Beer
Hires Root Beer
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Hires
Hires Root Beer Logo
TypeRoot Beer
ManufacturerKeurig Dr Pepper
Origin117-119 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Introduced1876
ColorCaramel
Related productsA&W Root Beer, Dad's Root Beer, Mug Root Beer, Barq's
Websitewww.drpeppersnapplegroup.com/brands/hires Edit this on Wikidata

Hires Root Beer is an American brand of root beer that was manufactured by Keurig Dr Pepper. Introduced in 1876, it was one of the longest continuously made soft drinks in the United States.[1]

History

[edit]

19th century

[edit]
An 1894 American Trade Card for Hires Root Beer
A Hires Root Beer mug from the 1930s or earlier

Hires Root Beer was created by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires. The official story is that Hires first tasted root beer, a traditional American beverage dating back to the colonial era, while on his honeymoon in 1875.[2] However, historical accounts vary and the actual time and place of the discovery may never be known.[3]

By 1876, Hires had developed his own recipe and was marketing 25-cent packets of powder which each yielded one US gallon (3.8 L) of root beer. At Philadelphia's Centennial Exposition in 1876, he cultivated new customers by giving away free glasses of it. Hires marketed it as a solid concentrate of 16 wild roots and berries. It claimed to purify the blood and make rosy cheeks.[4]

In 1884, he began producing a liquid extract and a syrup for use in soda fountains, and was soon shipping root beer in kegs and producing a special fountain dispenser called the "Hires Automatic Munimaker." In 1890, the Charles E. Hires Company incorporated and began supplying Hires root beer in small bottles[5][6] claiming over a million bottles sold by 1891.[7]

Hires Root Beer was promoted as "The Temperance Drink" and "the Greatest Health-Giving Beverage in the World". Hires advertised aggressively, believing "doing business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does."[2]

One of the major ingredients of root beer was sassafras oil, a plant root extract used in beverages for its flavor and presumed medicinal properties. The medicinal properties of root beer are emphasized in the advertising slogan, "Join Health and Cheer; Drink Hires Rootbeer". The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned sassafras oil in 1960 because it contains the carcinogen and liver-damaging chemical safrol. However, a process was later discovered by which the harmful chemical could be removed from sassafras oil while preserving the flavor.[8]

Prior to the move to "natural and artificial flavors", Hires ingredients included carbonated water, sugar, dextrose, caramel, plant extracts of birch, sassafras, licorice, vanilla, spikenard, sarsaparilla, hops, wintergreen, pipsissewa, ginger and flavor.

20th century

[edit]

Hires Root Beer kits, available in the United States and Canada from the early 1900s through the 1980s allowed consumers to mix an extract with water, sugar and yeast to brew their own root beer. However, most consumption was of bottled root beer.

A mid-1960s' advertising campaign featured jingles by jazz singer Blossom Dearie, wherein she sang in a Betty-Boop voice: "Hires Root Beer! Hires Rootin' Tootin' Root Beer! Hires Rootin'-Tootin' Rabble-Rousin', lion-roarin', Roman-candle-lightin' Root Beer!"

Consolidated Foods bought the company from the Hires family in 1960, and sold it two years later to Crush International. Procter & Gamble bought Crush in 1980, and sold it to Cadbury Schweppes in 1989. Cadbury divested its soft drinks arm in 2008, and the beverage company renamed itself Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

In Canada, the Hires brand is no longer sold by Keurig Dr Pepper; retailers and vending machines have replaced it with Pepsi-owned Mug Root Beer since the 1990s and DPSG markets Stewarts Root Beer in Canada. The Hires brand is now offered by Canada Dry Motts as an alcoholic drink, Hires Root Beer and vodka.[9]

Hires' availability in the U.S. was phased out as other Dr. Pepper owned brands like A&W Root Beer were promoted on behalf of the same company.[10]

21st century

[edit]

As of 2023, the Keurig Dr. Pepper web page no longer lists Hires among its list of brands on the all products listing search on its website.[11] Hires was last canned by the American Bottling Company in Ottumwa, Iowa. The last producer of Hires root beer flavored syrup for use in soda fountains, Kalil Bottling Company of Tucson, Arizona, sold their operations to Keurig Dr. Pepper on August 9, 2024.[12]

See also

[edit]
  • Chester teapot, a large teapot made from a former giant Hires Root Beer barrel sign

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hires Root Beer

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hires Root Beer is an American brand of , originally developed in 1876 by Philadelphia Charles Elmer Hires as a powdered concentrate made from root, herbs, berries, and other natural ingredients, marketed as a healthful, non-alcoholic alternative to during the . Introduced at the in that year, it quickly gained popularity as one of the first commercially viable root beers, initially sold in kits that produced five gallons of the beverage for 25 cents. The brand's early success stemmed from Hires' innovative marketing strategies, including full-page newspaper advertisements, colorful Victorian-era trading cards depicting moral and health-themed scenes, and claims that the drink could cure ailments like dyspepsia and serve as a "temperance tonic." By the 1890s, the Charles E. Hires Company had expanded production with bottling plants in and , introducing liquid extract in 1880 and bottled root beer in 1893, while shipping in kegs to soda fountains nationwide. During from 1919 to 1933, Hires Root Beer thrived as "The Great Health Drink," with strong popularity at soda fountains and international offices in countries including and . Remaining a family-run business until 1960, when it was sold to Consolidated Foods Corporation, the brand underwent several ownership changes, including acquisitions by Crush International in 1962, Cadbury Schweppes in 1989, and (which merged with in 2018 to form ) in 2008. As of 2025, the brand has been discontinued by , with bottled and canned versions phased out in 2010; similar extracts for home remain available online.

History

Invention and Early Years (1876–1900)

Charles Elmer Hires, a Philadelphia-based , developed the original recipe for what would become Hires Root Beer in 1875. Inspired by a he tasted during his trip to a farm in , Hires refined the mixture into a non-alcoholic beverage using extracts from roots, herbs, barks, and berries, aiming to create a healthful alternative to alcoholic drinks amid the growing . Hires debuted his creation at the 1876 in , where it was marketed as a nutritious tonic containing extracts from 16 different roots and berries, such as sarsaparilla, sassafras, wintergreen, and ginger. The product was initially presented as "Hires' Improved ," with free samples drawing crowds and packets selling briskly, establishing its early popularity as a soda. To broaden its appeal to working-class men, Hires renamed it from "root tea" to "" on the advice of Baptist minister , positioning it as a satisfying substitute for without the intoxicating effects. The initial commercial launch in featured a powdered mix sold in 25-cent packets, each sufficient to produce five gallons of the beverage when combined with water, sugar, and yeast for home . This was followed by a liquid extract in , designed for use in soda fountains, and the first bottled version in 1893, which facilitated wider distribution. Early marketing emphasized its health benefits, claiming it could alleviate ailments like , , and dyspepsia, while reinforcing its role as a temperance drink during a period of increasing anti-alcohol advocacy. In , Hires formally incorporated his business as The Charles E. Hires Company to support growing production.

Growth and Challenges (1900–1960)

Following the initial success of its powdered and extract forms, Hires Root Beer experienced rapid commercial expansion after 1900, with the Charles E. Hires Company establishing nationwide distribution through aggressive advertising and bottling infrastructure. By the early 1900s, the company had opened a major production plant in in 1904 and was shipping products across the , leveraging heavy promotional campaigns that spent up to $500,000 annually by 1900 to reach soda fountains and households far beyond the Northeast. Home-brewing kits, consisting of liquid extracts that could produce five gallons of the beverage, were widely available and promoted for family use during this period, sustaining consumer engagement amid growing demand. The brand's popularity surged during the era (1920–1933), positioning Hires Root Beer as a wholesome, non-alcoholic alternative to and transforming it from a niche temperance drink into a mainstream soda. Soda fountains became key social venues under the alcohol ban, and Hires capitalized on this shift by emphasizing the beverage's refreshing appeal, leading to broadened market reach and increased sales volumes. By the , the company had solidified its status as a leading producer, with revenues growing at a rate of 29% from 1902 to 1909, driven by this cultural pivot away from health-focused marketing toward everyday enjoyment. Soda fountains sold a total of 65 million glasses of Hires Root Beer between 1902 and 1909, contributing to its rising trajectory. To meet escalating demand, Hires introduced ready-to-drink bottled on a larger scale in urban markets starting around 1900, building on earlier experiments at the 1893 Columbian Exposition and seasonal bottling in facilities from 1900 to 1904. This innovation, combined with the establishment of the Charles E. Hires Company as a major national manufacturer, allowed for efficient distribution via bottles and kegs, cementing its dominance in the emerging soft drink industry through the mid-20th century. A significant challenge emerged in 1960 when the U.S. banned the use of oil in food products due to the carcinogenic properties of its compound , as identified in animal studies. This regulation directly impacted Hires Root Beer, which relied on for its traditional flavor profile, necessitating a reformulation with alternative ingredients like sarsaparilla and artificial essences to maintain compliance while attempting to preserve authenticity. The change marked a pivotal turning point, altering the beverage's classic taste and contributing to long-term shifts in production.

Acquisitions and Decline (1960–present)

In 1960, the Hires family sold the company to Consolidated Foods Corporation, marking the end of family ownership after nearly a century of independent operation. This transition coincided with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's ban on , a key flavor compound derived from root, which forced reformulation of products including Hires and posed early challenges to the brand's traditional recipe. Just two years later, in 1962, Consolidated Foods resold the Hires division to Crush International Ltd., relocating its headquarters to , as part of broader consolidation in the soft drink industry. The brand underwent further corporate changes in subsequent decades. In 1980, Procter & Gamble acquired Crush International, thereby gaining ownership of Hires. Nine years later, in 1989, Cadbury Schweppes purchased the brand from , integrating it into its growing portfolio of beverages. By 2008, Cadbury Schweppes spun off its North American beverage operations into the , which later became in 2018, continuing to oversee Hires amid ongoing industry mergers. Entering the 21st century, Hires faced intensifying competition from dominant brands like A&W Root Beer, also owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, leading to a gradual decline in market share. Distribution began shrinking in the 2010s as the company prioritized higher-performing products, resulting in Hires being phased out of widespread U.S. retail availability by 2010, with production limited to syrup extracts for soda fountains. The brand's U.S. discontinuation culminated around 2023–2024 under Keurig Dr Pepper, including the acquisition of Kalil Bottling Company—the last independent producer handling Hires syrup—on August 9, 2024, effectively ending domestic manufacturing. As of 2025, limited remnants persist internationally, primarily in Canada through niche formats like alcoholic mixes under Canada Dry Mott's.

Products and Variants

Original Extract and Syrup

The original Hires Root Beer product was a powdered extract introduced in 1876 by pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires at the U.S. Centennial Exhibition in , where it was promoted as a healthful, temperance alternative to alcoholic beverages. This powder, sold in 25-cent packets, allowed consumers to prepare at home by mixing it with sugar, water, and yeast for , followed by using basic soda-making equipment or in later adaptations. Each packet yielded approximately 5 gallons of the beverage, appealing to families seeking an affordable, customizable DIY drink that could be flavored with additional herbs or sweeteners to suit preferences. In 1880, Hires expanded the line with a liquid extract formulation, advertised in publications like , which simplified preparation for both home users and soda fountains by requiring dilution with . The liquid version was designed for easy integration into household carbonation kits or small soda apparatuses, enabling quick mixing without the need for powder dissolution, and quickly gained popularity with sales reaching three million bottles annually by 1892. This format maintained the brand's focus on home production, offering a more convenient option for creating batches of sparkling while preserving the original herbal essence. From the early 1900s through the 1980s, Hires offered home-brewing kits in the United States and , allowing consumers to mix an extract with water, sugar, and yeast. By the 1890s, while these home products remained central, Hires began transitioning toward commercial bottling for wider distribution. As of 2025, Hires root beer extract for home brewing remains available online, often under the Big H branding.

Bottled Root Beer and Other Forms

In 1893, the Hires family began distributing their in ready-to-drink bottles, marking a shift from the original extract that required home preparation. This innovation allowed for wider commercial availability. By the mid-20th century, the product expanded into canned formats and larger bottle sizes to meet growing demand at soda fountains and retail outlets, reflecting the broader trend toward convenient, factory-produced soft drinks. Under corporate ownership following the acquisitions, Hires Root Beer maintained its focus on non-alcoholic, carbonated beverages in various packaging, though production of traditional bottled and canned versions was phased out by around 2010 due to market shifts. In , the brand saw a revival in an alcoholic form with the launch of Hires Root Beer and , a 5% ABV ready-to-drink product introduced by in the 2020s. This vodka-infused variant combines the classic flavor with alcohol, available in 473 ml cans and targeted at adult consumers.

Ingredients and Formulation

Traditional Recipe Components

The traditional recipe for Hires Root Beer, formulated by Charles E. Hires in , centered on a non-alcoholic, caffeine-free beverage designed as a temperance alternative to , using natural extracts from , , and berries to impart flavor while promoting health benefits like improved and through its herbal composition. The core components included as the base, for sweetness, and caramel coloring to achieve the drink's distinctive dark hue. Flavoring came from a proprietary blend of approximately 16 natural extracts, with bark serving as the primary ingredient responsible for the beverage's signature aromatic profile, complemented by sarsaparilla root for earthiness, for minty notes, licorice root for subtle sweetness, for smoothness, berries for a pine-like accent, hops for bitterness, for woody undertones, and ginger for mild spice, among others. These elements were boiled together to create a concentrated extract, emphasizing the use of ingredients believed to support overall without stimulants or intoxicants. In preparation, the original 1876 version was marketed as powdered packets costing 25 cents each, sufficient to produce one of when mixed with and water, which was then further diluted with carbonated soda water for serving. By 1880, Hires shifted to a liquid extract format, typically in small bottles, where about one of extract was combined with to yield one of before final dilution, allowing home users to easily replicate the drink's frothy, taste. This method ensured the flavor extract comprised roughly 2% of the finished beverage, balancing intensity without overpowering the .

Regulatory Changes and Reformulations

In 1960, the U.S. (FDA) banned the use of , a compound derived from root bark, in commercially processed foods and beverages after studies linked it to in laboratory animals. Hires Root Beer, whose traditional recipe had relied on sassafras for its signature spicy and earthy notes since , was directly impacted by this regulation and underwent a reformulation to comply. The company replaced the prohibited natural sassafras extract with synthetic alternatives, including for vanilla-like undertones and for a sharpness, aiming to replicate the original flavor profile without the banned substance. This shift marked the first major alteration to the product's composition in over eight decades. The reformulation also incorporated a deliberate adjustment toward greater acidity and reduced , as announced by Hires' leadership to better align with emerging consumer tastes in the competitive market, where colas were gaining dominance. These changes were implemented across the brand's bottled and syrup products, distributed through hundreds of franchised bottlers in the U.S. and . In the , following Procter & Gamble's acquisition of Hires Root Beer in 1980 as part of its purchase of Crush International, the brand pursued additional reformulations to address health and dietary trends. Diet variants were updated or expanded to utilize , approved by the FDA in 1981 as a low-calorie sweetener, allowing for substantially reduced content while maintaining the essence. These tweaks reflected broader industry shifts toward lower-calorie options amid rising concerns over consumption and . Into the 21st century, Hires Root Beer, then under Cadbury Schweppes and later , made targeted adjustments for select international markets to meet varying regulatory standards on additives and stimulants. Others removed potential trace elements to comply with strict restrictions on certain flavorings and preservatives. These regulatory-driven reformulations have been associated with shifts in consumer perception, with many reports noting a loss of the "authentic" depth and complexity in the flavor, often described as more artificial or medicinal compared to pre-1960 versions. This perceived dilution is cited by industry analysts as a contributing factor to Hires' declining market share against competitors retaining stronger nostalgic appeal.

Marketing and Advertising

Early Promotion Strategies

Hires Root Beer was initially promoted by its creator, Philadelphia pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires, as a wholesome alternative to alcoholic beverages, capitalizing on the growing temperance movement in the late 19th century. Hires, influenced by his Quaker upbringing and personal commitment to sobriety, marketed the drink as "the temperance drink" to appeal to anti-alcohol advocates and families seeking non-intoxicating refreshments. Slogans such as "The Great Temperance Drink" appeared in advertisements during the 1880s and 1890s, emphasizing its purity and alignment with moral reform efforts, though this drew criticism from temperance groups like the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). In 1895, the WCTU alleged that the beverage contained alcohol and called for a nationwide boycott, leading to a significant sales drop for about a year until Hires countered with ads affirming its non-alcoholic nature. This positioning helped establish the beverage as a virtuous choice for workers and homemakers, contributing to its early appeal amid rising temperance sentiments. A key promotional venue was the 1876 in , where Hires debuted his powdered extract with live demonstrations and free samples to fairgoers. At the event, visitors could purchase 25-cent packets that yielded five gallons of the drink when mixed at home, showcasing its convenience and drawing crowds eager for a novel, non-alcoholic soda. This hands-on approach not only generated immediate sales but also built word-of-mouth buzz, establishing Hires Root Beer as a national curiosity tied to American innovation. To encourage home preparation as a wholesome family activity, Hires distributed free booklets, pamphlets, and trade cards alongside extract sales, providing simple instructions for and highlighting the drink's ease for busy households. These materials often included engaging stories, puzzles, or jokes to captivate children and homemakers, while underscoring the brand's reliability. Targeting pharmacists and druggists—Hires' professional peers—these giveaways positioned the product for retail in soda fountains and pharmacies, fostering a network of local promoters. Early print advertisements in newspapers and magazines further amplified these efforts, with Hires investing heavily in bold, full-page spreads starting in the late to break through single-column limitations. Ads emphasized the herbal health benefits of the drink's 16 roots and berries, claiming it purified the blood, invigorated the body, and cured ailments like "summer complaint" (a term for ), appealing directly to health-conscious homemakers and pharmacists seeking natural remedies. By the , such campaigns had propelled sales to millions of units annually, solidifying the brand's grassroots presence before broader media expansions.

Mid-20th Century Campaigns

During the era of the 1920s, Hires Root Beer advertisements positioned the beverage as a wholesome, non-alcoholic substitute for , capitalizing on its temperance-friendly status with slogans like "The Temperance Drink that Cheers but does not Inebriate." These campaigns, often featured in magazines and on collectible items such as pottery mugs, emphasized health benefits and family enjoyment through phrases like "Join Health and Cheer, Drink Hires Root Beer," appealing to consumers seeking alcohol alternatives amid the nationwide ban. By 1928, the brand's promotion as "The Temperance Drink" even drew attention from temperance groups concerned about potential , underscoring its cultural role in the era. In the 1930s and 1940s, Hires strengthened partnerships with soda fountains by supplying syrup for on-site mixing, which drove significant sales as fountains became popular social hubs selling millions of glasses annually. The company supported these outlets with point-of-sale displays, including porcelain buckets, embossed metal signs, and Villeroy & Boch mugs emblazoned with brand messaging, enhancing visibility in drugstores and diners. Full-page magazine advertisements during this period shifted to modern imagery, such as glamorous flappers in the 1920s transitioning to attractive couples and families in the 1930s–1950s, promoting "Real Root Juices" for refreshment and vitality. Illustrated works by artists like Maxfield Parrish, such as a 1921 piece in The American Magazine, further elevated the brand's appeal through artistic endorsements. As emerged, Hires transitioned to radio and television in the late 1950s and early 1960s, aligning with consumer trends toward family-oriented leisure. advertisements in the highlighted the drink's effervescent fizz and cooling refreshment, targeting suburban households with visuals of joyful gatherings. By the early 1960s, the brand sponsored radio and TV spots featuring jingles composed and performed by vocalist , whose lighthearted tunes celebrated as a fun, everyday treat for families, proving so popular that they inspired a promotional album, Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin' Songs. These efforts marked Hires' evolution from print and local promotions to mass-media tactics, reinforcing its position during the mid-century soda boom.

Ownership and Production

Founding and Family Control

The Charles E. Hires Company was incorporated in 1890 in , , as a family-owned enterprise specializing in the production of extract. Founded by Charles Elmer Hires (1851–1937), the business began in the 1870s with the development of a powdered extract for home , inspired by traditional teas and positioned as a non-alcoholic temperance beverage. By the time of incorporation, the company had shifted focus to commercial extract production, abandoning Hires's prior operations to capitalize on the growing demand for ready-to-mix ingredients. Under Hires's leadership, the company expanded its operations while maintaining strict family oversight. Charles Hires directed the business until his death in 1937, after which his son, Charles E. Hires Jr., succeeded him as president, with brothers J. Edgar Hires and Harrison S. Hires serving as vice presidents. Subsequent generations, including grandsons such as Hires—who became president in —continued family management through the , ensuring continuity in operations until the Hires family sold majority control to Consolidated Foods in 1960. Early manufacturing centered on facilities in , including the principal plant at 117–119 Arch Street, with expansions to additional sites such as Delaware Avenue in 1896 and North Broad Street in 1904 to support growing bottling operations. By the , the company had established multiple plants, including seasonal bottling in , to meet national distribution needs while scaling production of extracts and bottled products. The Hires family prioritized quality control through careful sourcing of ingredients like roots and , using high-purity water, and guarding the proprietary recipe's exact proportions as a . To protect production methods, the company filed patents in the 1890s and early 1900s, including innovations for bottle stoppers, capping machines, and even a bottle design patented by Charles E. Hires Jr. in 1936, which helped maintain consistency and competitive edge during family stewardship.

Corporate Acquisitions and Manufacturing Shifts

In 1960, the Hires family sold its majority stake in the company to Consolidated Foods Corporation, marking the end of family control and the beginning of a shift toward industrialized, large-scale bottling operations to meet growing national demand. Two years later, in 1962, Consolidated Foods sold the Hires division to Crush International Ltd., which relocated its headquarters to , and integrated production at facilities including those in . This corporate transition emphasized efficient, centralized manufacturing processes over the earlier artisanal methods, enabling wider distribution through franchised bottlers across the , such as Nor-Cal Beverage Co. in , which originated as a Hires franchise. Crush International was acquired by Procter & Gamble in 1980, further streamlining production under the consumer goods giant's expertise in scaling beverage operations. P&G focused on optimizing output and distribution, though specific automation initiatives during the 1980s standardized flavor profiles to align with mass-market preferences. In 1989, Procter & Gamble divested the brand to Cadbury Schweppes, which continued these efficiencies until spinning off its North American beverage operations in 2008 to form Dr Pepper Snapple Group—later Keurig Dr Pepper following a 2018 merger. During the Keurig Dr Pepper era from 2008 to 2024, manufacturing underwent significant consolidation, reducing the number of dedicated production sites as the company prioritized higher-volume brands like to avoid internal competition. This led to the phased discontinuation of Hires in bottled and canned forms in the early , with availability becoming scarce by around 2016 and limiting it primarily to syrup extracts for fountain use. The final manufacturing shift occurred in 2024 when acquired the production, sales, and distribution assets of Kalil Bottling Co. in —the last independent U.S. facility producing Hires syrup—effectively concluding domestic operations for the brand as of late 2024.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Influence on the Root Beer Industry

Hires Root Beer pioneered the commercial market in 1876 when pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires introduced the first mass-marketed version at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, initially as a powdered extract that could produce five gallons of the beverage for 25 cents. This extract model, combining root with over 25 herbs, berries, and roots, allowed for easy home preparation and set a template for scalable production that influenced subsequent brands. Competitors such as , founded in 1898 and initially avoiding the "root beer" name to sidestep Hires' claims, and A&W, established in 1919, adopted similar concentrate-based approaches to capitalize on the growing demand for non-alcoholic sodas. The widespread adoption of Hires' herbal extract formula helped standardize flavors across the industry, emphasizing a blend of , sarsaparilla, , , and other natural ingredients that defined the beverage's distinctive earthy, sweet profile until regulatory changes intervened. By 1904, Hires shifted to syrup distribution for soda fountains, further promoting uniform taste and levels that became industry benchmarks for a refreshing, effervescent with balanced . This influence persisted through the early , shaping recipes for both homemade and commercial variants, though the 1960 FDA ban on due to the carcinogenic compound forced widespread reformulation to alternatives like , marking the end of the original extract era. During the 1920s and 1940s, Hires achieved market dominance amid the era (1920–1933), which boosted as social alternatives, with the brand's sales reportedly increasing three to four times as soda fountains became key outlets. As a leading mass marketer with aggressive advertising and international expansion, Hires held a significant share of the market, establishing standards for high and moderate sweetness that competitors emulated to appeal to working-class consumers. Its position as the preeminent brand during this period solidified benchmarks for flavor complexity and accessibility, influencing the category's growth into a staple American soda. Hires' legacy extended into the , inspiring a revival of craft s in the late and , where brewers like Abita and Goose Island referenced its original herbal profile as a benchmark for authentic, small-batch formulations amid growing interest in nostalgic, natural sodas. This movement highlighted Hires' role in elevating from a temperance tonic to a diverse category, even as the brand faced discontinuation in 2024.

Current Availability and Discontinuation

Bottled Hires Root Beer was discontinued by Keurig Dr Pepper around 2010. However, production of root beer syrup continued through Kalil Bottling Company until August 2024, when Kalil's operations were acquired by Keurig Dr Pepper, ending all manufacturing. In August 2024, Keurig Dr Pepper acquired the assets of Kalil Bottling Company, the last remaining producer of Hires root beer syrup, effectively ending all manufacturing of the product. As of 2025, no new production occurs in the United States, and any remaining inventory has been depleted. Internationally, non-alcoholic versions of the brand have been phased out globally, but alcoholic variants, such as Hires Root Beer and Vodka, remain available in Canada through Canada Dry Mott's, a Keurig Dr Pepper subsidiary, marketed as ready-to-drink coolers with 5% alcohol content. Nostalgic interest persists through third-party recreations, including craft extracts like Hires Big H Root Beer Extract sold online for home brewing, which allow consumers to approximate the original flavor using historical-inspired recipes. Additionally, vintage Hires extracts and bottles from the mid-20th century are resold on platforms like eBay and Etsy by collectors. The brand endures as an iconic symbol of American soda culture, frequently referenced in media and historical accounts as the original commercial introduced in , with ongoing collector enthusiasm for 1960s-era bottles and advertisements that evoke mid-20th-century .

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  34. https://www.investors.com/news/management/leaders-and-success/charles-hires-made-root-beer-a-hit/
  35. https://grubamericana.com/2013/08/17/root-beer-an-exclusively-american-soft-drink/
  36. https://homebrewersassociation.org/beyond-beer/root-beer-the-quintessential-american-soda/
  37. https://www.latimes.com/style/la-fo-rootbeer28-2009jan28-story.html
  38. https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstreams/96181546-006d-497e-ae98-c090ee36431d/download
  39. https://news.keurigdrpepper.com/2024-05-31-Keurig-Dr-Pepper-Strengthens-National-Direct-Store-Delivery-Operations-with-Acquisition-of-Strategic-Assets-from-Kalil-Bottling-Company
  40. https://www.keurigdrpepper.com/brands/
  41. https://www.thebeerguy.ca/liquor-store-delivery/coolers/coolers-cocktails/hires-root-beer/
  42. https://www.liquormarts.ca/product/hires-root-beer-vodka-soda/473-ml
  43. https://www.amazon.com/Hires-Big-Root-Beer-Extract/dp/B01ETY2LGS
  44. https://www.ebay.com/itm/286409408642
  45. https://www.etsy.com/market/antique_hires_root_beer_bottles
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