National Stewart’s Root Beer Day – Jun. 17, 2026

National Stewart’s Root Beer Day
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BeerBeverageDrinking
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every June 17
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National Stewart’s Root Beer Day beckons you to celebrate this iconic American soda every June 17. Picture a hot summer day, made perfect with a cold, frothy Stewart’s root beer. Indulge in its classic flavors, explore new ones, and share your favorite fizzy memories with friends and family.

Want to sponsor National Stewart’s Root Beer Day? Learn how

Expected National Stewart’s Root Beer Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Stewart’s Root Beer Day often inspires delightful deals. Look for specials from major retailers like Walmart and Target offering discounts on multi-packs of Stewart’s. Local grocery stores may feature buy-one-get-one deals on individual bottles or cases. Fast-casual restaurants such as Five Guys or Shake Shack, known for their classic American fare, might offer root beer float promotions. Keep an eye on Stewart’s Fountain Classics restaurants for exclusive in-store offers. Craft soda shops and independent diners could also join in with unique float creations. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June 17 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Stewart’s Root Beer Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #StewartsRootBeerDay. Share photos of your favorite Stewart’s bottle, a homemade root beer float, or a nostalgic moment.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #StewartsRootBeerDay. Film a taste test of different Stewart’s flavors or create a fun recipe using root beer.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #StewartsRootBeerDay. Share your fondest memories of Stewart’s Root Beer or ask friends for their favorite flavor.

Social Media Tips for National Stewart’s Root Beer Day

Individuals

Treat yourself to a cold Stewart's Root Beer, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic float. Share your enjoyment with friends and family, creating new memories with this nostalgic beverage.

Creators

Develop engaging content around Stewart's Root Beer. This could include a 'best root beer float' tutorial, a review of Stewart's various flavors, or a historical deep dive into the brand's origins.

Brands

Run a promotion featuring Stewart's Root Beer, such as a discount on purchases or a special menu item incorporating the soda. Partner with local diners to offer exclusive root beer float deals.

Top Brands for National Stewart’s Root Beer Day

  1. Stewart's Fountain Classics

    Founded in 1924 by Frank Stewart in Mansfield, Ohio, Stewart's began as a root beer stand. It expanded into a chain of popular drive-in restaurants and became known for its iconic bottled sodas, including its famous root beer, black cherry, and orange 'n cream.

  2. A&W Root Beer

    Established in 1919 by Roy W. Allen in Lodi, California, A&W is one of America's oldest root beer brands. It's famous for its frosty mugs and chain of drive-in restaurants, offering a classic root beer experience that rivals Stewart's in nostalgia.

  3. Barq's Root Beer

    Created by Edward Barq in 1898 in Biloxi, Mississippi, Barq's is known for its distinctive 'bite.' Unlike many root beers, it contains caffeine, giving it a unique edge and a loyal following among soda enthusiasts looking for a bolder flavor profile.

  4. Mug Root Beer

    First introduced in 1940 by the Belfast Beverage Company in San Francisco, Mug Root Beer became a popular choice for its creamy taste. Acquired by PepsiCo in the 1980s, it remains a widely available and beloved brand, often featured in classic American diners.

  5. Virgil's Root Beer

    Founded in 1994, Virgil's is a craft soda brand known for its all-natural ingredients and gourmet approach to classic sodas. Their root beer is often lauded for its rich, complex flavor, appealing to those who appreciate a more sophisticated beverage experience.

  6. Dr Pepper Snapple Group

    A major beverage company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group (now Keurig Dr Pepper) owns several popular soda brands, including A&W and Stewart's. They play a significant role in the distribution and marketing of these classic root beers across the United States.

  7. Coca-Cola Company

    While primarily known for its flagship cola, The Coca-Cola Company also has a presence in the root beer market through brands like Barq's. This global beverage giant ensures widespread availability and marketing reach for its diverse portfolio of drinks.

National Stewart’s Root Beer Day Hero

Frank Stewart

Frank Stewart founded Stewart's Fountain Classics in 1924 in Mansfield, Ohio. He started with a simple root beer stand, which quickly grew in popularity due to the delicious, frothy root beer he served. His vision expanded into a chain of drive-in restaurants, making Stewart's a beloved American brand synonymous with classic soda fountain experiences and nostalgic flavors.

History of National Stewart’s Root Beer Day

The National Stewart’s Root Beer Day pays homage to Stewart’s Fountain Classics. The company was started in 1924 as a small business by the American teacher and entrepreneur, Frank Stewart. Stewart wanted an extra source of income for his household, and this prompted him to start selling root beers from a drive-thru. The company started by selling only the original flavor of root beer, but as the business expanded and became popular, more flavors were added to the cart. Today, you can enjoy a birch root beer, or cream and soda, or if you are in the mood for something fruity, you can treat yourself to a grape or a black cherry root beer. At the core of it, Stewart’s Fountain Classics are the material for old-fashioned American nostalgia.

Root beer’s origins lie with the indigenous tribes of America. Indigenous people created the beverage using the root bark obtained from sassafras trees. The tribes used root beer for medicinal purposes and general drinking. It was after the arrival of Europeans on American soil that root beer started being sold as a commercial drink. The fermented creamy drink was sold as a dry mix by the American pharmacist, Charles Elmer Hires. The dry mix would have to be mixed with sugar, yeast, and water before being left to ferment and froth for a fixed period. Hires’ friend Russell Conwell, suggested that Hires create a liquid formulation for the beverage as that would lead to a better marketing strategy. Conwell proved to be right because root beer sales increased drastically after Hires introduced the new liquid formula in the market. With the influence of many cultures and cuisines, root beer has garnered a host of versions. You can make your own root beer too with the basic ingredients and a combination of your favorite spices, sweets, and herbs.

National Stewart’s Root Beer Day timeline

1860s
Root Beer Sold at Confectionaries

A version of root beer, inspired by the sassafras root beer versions, is being sold at confectionery stores.

1876
Root Beer’s Commercial Introduction at Philadelphia

Charles Elmer Hires introduces his commercial liquid formulation for root beer at Philadelphia Centennial Exposition.

1924
Stewart’s Fountain Classics’ Inception

American teacher Frank Stewart sets up his root beer company to increase his income sources.

1990
Bottling Rights Acquired by Cable Car Beverage

The bottling rights for Stewart’s Fountain Classics are given to Cable Car Beverage Corporation.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Stewart’s Root Beer Day

Local businesses can honor National Stewart’s Root Beer Day by offering special promotions and themed items. Restaurants and diners could feature root beer floats with unique twists or offer a complimentary Stewart’s Root Beer with certain meal purchases. Ice cream parlors might create limited-time root beer float sundaes. Retailers could set up displays with Stewart’s products and offer discounts on multi-packs. Consider hosting a ‘Throwback Thursday’ (even if it’s a Wednesday) with classic diner vibes and Stewart’s specials.

National Stewart’s Root Beer Day FAQs

When is National Stewart’s Root Beer Day?

National Stewart’s Root Beer Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, June 17. It’s the perfect mid-week treat to enjoy a cold, frothy glass of this classic American soda.

How popular is root beer in the US?

Root beer remains a beloved beverage in the U.S., with millions enjoying its unique flavor. It consistently ranks among the top-selling non-cola carbonated soft drinks, especially popular in the Midwest and among those seeking nostalgic tastes.

What makes Stewart's Root Beer unique?

Stewart’s Root Beer is renowned for its rich, creamy flavor and nostalgic appeal, often associated with classic American soda fountains. It’s made with natural flavors and pure cane sugar, contributing to its distinctive taste and smooth finish.

Is Stewart's Root Beer a national brand?

Yes, Stewart’s Root Beer is widely available across the United States. While it originated as a regional soda fountain, it grew into a national brand, distributed by Keurig Dr Pepper, making it accessible in most grocery stores and convenience outlets.

How To Celebrate National Stewart’s Root Beer Day

  1. Drink a Stewart’s classic

    Take a trip down memory lane by drinking Stewart’s root beer. You can try an old favorite, but you should also give other flavors a chance. You never know, you might just discover a new favorite.

  2. Customize your root beer

    One great feature of root beer is how versatile it is. Try mixing spices and herbs like cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and dandelion root. If you like sweets, you can try root beer with vanilla ice cream and/or licorice.

  3. Make a root beer cake

    If there’s anything we love more than cake and beer, it is a root beer cake. You can order one from your local bakery, or you can make one at home. Whatever you choose to do, it’s going to be a win-win situation because you’ll be getting the best of both worlds.

5 Facts About Root Beer That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. Carcinogenic roots banned by the U.S.A.

    The U.S. FDA banned the sassafras root, which is used to make root beer after it was discovered that the ingredient is carcinogenic.

  2. Root beer nicknames akin to cows

    Root beer floats are also known as brown and black cows.

  3. Not popular in other continents

    Root beer has enjoyed exclusive popularity in North America, but it has failed to woo the masses on other continents.

  4. Franklin’s root beer breakfast

    Benjamin Franklin used to enjoy drinking root beer at breakfast.

  5. Root beer for water in Europe

    When Europeans weren’t aware of proper sanitation, small beers like root beer and teas were consumed in place of water.

Why We Love National Stewart’s Root Beer Day

  1. It’s a celebration of Stewart’s Fountain Classics, Nostalgia, root beer treats

    Stewart’s Fountain Classics is a story of determination and willpower. From a small business in the 1920s, it has grown into a magnificent business empire today. It was also voted as the best company for root beers in 2006 during the World Cup of Root Beer.

  2. It’s a celebration of nostalgia

    Warm summer days call for a cold foamy and creamy glass of root beer. Millions of Americans associate their best times with Stewart’s root beer as the company has been around for almost a century now.

  3. It’s a celebration of root beer treats

    Whether you like sweets or you bend towards the savory more, root beer has got you covered. Enjoy it in the form of cakes or pies, or go ahead and try it by adding it as an ingredient to a savory dish like pasta or steak. The options are endless here, and we are pumped for it.

National Stewart’s Root Beer Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 June 17 Wednesday
2027 June 17 Thursday
2028 June 17 Saturday
2029 June 17 Sunday
2030 June 17 Monday