I have complained before (even today, I believe) about Drs being boring and letting this ruin the flavor. Others seem to be successful at using their boring (not bland) flavor to say “i’m not the best Dr ever to be made before, but I sure as hell am not the worst either.” Count Real Dr. in the ranks of those who settle in this way for such mediocrity. Real Dr. (made by Sunny Select) earns a three dr pepper can rating.
Iowa’s Fareway grocery store brings us Country Doctor. It was picked up at a Fastco in Corning, Iowa. At first, C.D. seems a little bitter, but after a few sips it starts to grow on you. In addition, I find it hard to drink very much of this stuff without having to burp. Country Doctor earns a three Dr Pepper can rating.
Dr. Zing is nothing to write home about. It is under the brandname Super G, which is sold in the Giant grocery stores. This bottle was bought in Baltimore, MD, but there are other Giant locations throughout the region. Dr. Zing has a little bit of a bitter taste.
Dr. West is made by Western Family (and is a sister-beverage to Dr. Fine and Dr. Buzz). Dr. West was a little too sweet, and slightly flat, yet still refreshing. Dr. West earns a three dr pepper can rating.
If there was ever any doubt that Dr. West is is cohoots with Dr. Fine, then just look at the last two can designs of each of these.
Dr. Wells (pictured right with an older bottle), is made by Monarch Co. The taste was a bit sweet, and a little too reminiscent of Mr-You-Know-Who. Dr. Wells earns three Dr Pepper cans. See a discussion of Dr. Wells on the BevBoard.
Finally, a dr that brings somewhat of a unique flavor to the Dr family. Ukrop’s Dr. U combines fruity undertones to a slightly dull dr pepper flavor, but hints of the all natural variety are brought out (which is particularly strange considering this can contains the sweet goodness of artificial flavors). Ukrop’s is a growing chain that has a number of locations in VA. Dr. U has earned a three dr pepper can rating.
(Dr. U has no known relation to Dr. U.)
Dr. Tops can be found in Tops Grocery Stores in the New York area. Dr. Tops has a nice grid-like design, but the taste is pretty average. At times, it seemed like I might just be drinking a cola, because the soft drink doesn’t have the same kick that Dr Pepper does. Dr. Tops earns a three Dr Pepper can rating.
Rocky Top Dr Topper (not Dr Topper) can found at Dillon’s Supermarket in Lawrence, KS, Brookeshire Bros. in Houston, TX, and probably at many other stores as well. Dr Topper claims that you will “reach the peak of refreshment,” but don’t get your hopes up too much. Dr Topper tastes pretty good, but I would have to categorize it as a plateau halfway up a mountain rather than a peak. Dr Topper earns a three Dr Pepper can rating.
Not Quite What the Doctor Ordered 