GHOST A&W Energy Gets To The Root Of Root Beer

Last December, I wrote an article about leaked plans suggesting GHOST Energy would release energy drinks based on 7UP and A&W Root Beer sometime in 2026. Earlier this year, the former concept came to fruition; now, we’ve got our hands on the hotly anticipated GHOST A&W Energy. Thanks to GHOST for sending over a few early cans of this brand-new authentic energy drink; let’s find out whether A&W needed this high-caffeine kick.

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GHOST A&W Root Beer Energy Review

New GHOST Energy!

Pros: As always, GHOST has absolutely nailed what they were going for here. GHOST A&W Root Beer Energy has the original soda’s lightly harsh aftertaste and super-fizzy mouthfeel that makes root beer so appealing. The lack of sugar is covered up so successfully that I may need to argue for GHOST A&W Energy’s inclusion in our “Best Diet Root Beer” ranking. After a full weekend of pouring this for friends, GHOST A&W Root Beer Energy has impressed not only the established GHOST Energy fans in my life, but also the broader group of people only familiar with A&W Root Beer.

While other brands have made solid root beer energy drinks, this one feels authentically A&W in a way I could easily spot in a lineup. The partnership between Keurig Dr Pepper and GHOST Energy is still relatively fresh, but the latter is already reaping huge benefits from getting direct access to how the former creates their iconic sodas.

Cons: Call me a heretic, but A&W is not my favorite root beer. (It’s not even my favorite root beer widely available in retail, but it does beat out the dog-themed one.) This is a fantastic interpretation of A&W Root Beer, but it isn’t the perfect root beer energy drink. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard any national brands express interest in turning Dayton’s Warped Wing Root Beer into an energy drink; this will have to do until the true king of root beers gets more attention.

Credit: Griffin Parker / GHOST

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

What Keurig Dr Pepper sodas should GHOST translate into energy drinks next?

Folks, the #1 answer is right there in the name of the parent company: Dr Pepper has to become a GHOST Energy flavor. While the brand hasn’t officially confirmed that the 23 flavors are getting a caffeine boost anytime soon, we have heard very plausible rumors suggesting we’ll see that concept come to life sometime in 2027. Took them long enough, since we’ve all been asking for it exactly as long as the GHOST/KDP deal has been in place…

Once Dr Pepper GHOST Energy is on shelves breaking records, I’d love to see the brand tackle an A&W Red Creme Soda or Canada Dry Ginger Ale. (Seriously, we have enough basic Root Beer and Creme Soda energy drinks for the rest of time immemorial; no one else needs to tackle those base concepts until we get the rest of the soda canon represented.)