I used to think the same thing, hated root beer. The nasty flavor combined with the word root conjured up images of uprooted plant root balls covered in dirt. Yum yum. Then I had the alcoholic Not Your Father's Root Beer" and really enjoyed the flavor. What I don't know is the flavorings as both sassafras and sarsaparilla are used so it might be one or the other or perhaps a combination that tastes better.