Jon Onufrock and his favorite libation, root beer. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        Who: Jon Onufrock, 27, of Liberty Township, psychologist for Lebanon City Schools and root beer connoisseur.

        On display: One hundred seventeen root beer bottles and related memorabilia including mugs, glasses and metal and neon signs.

        Where: On handmade mahogany shelves in the family room of his home.

        School days: Mr. Onufrock, a Milwaukee native, grew up drinking root beer, but he didn't become a collector until 1996, when he was a senior at Indiana University. A school chum who knew that he liked the foamy brew traveled to Virginia and brought him several bottles as souvenirs. By the time Mr. Onufrock entered grad school at Miami University, he had seven of the brown and amber bottles on display atop his stereo speakers.

        Road trip: “But I didn't start collecting seriously until approximately two years ago,” he says. “At that point I started driving around town to gas stations and any store that I thought might have something.”

        Taste test: Mr. Onufrock drinks the contents before putting bottles on display.

        A purist, he prefers “regular” over diet versions and drinks it cold, straight from the bottle.

        “I don't like ice,” he explains. “The carbonation is very important, and by pouring it into a glass or over ice, you lose some of it.”

        Particular palate: He also makes it “kind of a rule” not to eat while taste-testing root beer. On special occasions, though, he has been known to break out the ice cream and enjoy a float.

        Numero uno: His favorite brand is Henry Weinhard's, which is made in Oregon. “It is very sweet and flavored with vanilla,” he explains. “Everyone I've had try it likes it.”

        His other favorite brands (in order) are: Hank's, Saranac, Sprecher and Iron Horse.

        Top spot: Locally, Mr. Onufrock finds that Jungle Jim's is the best source for root beer. “They probably carry 25-30 brands,” he says. “But you have to know where to look.

        There are two soda aisles, but they also have some in the health food section.”

        He's also had success ordering different brands over the Internet. His favorite Web site is www.popsoda.com.

        “It's an enjoyable hobby/quirk,” Mr. Onufrock says with a chuckle. “One could definitely say that I am an avid and devoted collector.”

        Share your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o The Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202, e-mail: marsolete@aol.com. Please include a daytime phone number.

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