Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon) has more caffeine than A&W Root Beer: 11mg vs 0mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 11mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
These are different categories of drink, which changes how the caffeine arrives. Energy drinks and sodas list an exact number because caffeine is a measured additive; brewed drinks vary with the beans and the brew, so their figures are compiled averages. The numbers here are the standard published values for each.
A&W Root Beer vs Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon): the numbers
| A&W Root Beer | Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 0mg per 12 oz can | 11mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 0.0mg | 0.9mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | n/a (caffeine-free) | 36.4 |
Sources: A&W Root Beer's figure is verified in our A&W Root Beer caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon)'s figure is verified in our Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon) guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon) packs roughly 92 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 12 oz can finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick A&W Root Beer when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon) when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- A&W Root Beer: the full caffeine guide
- Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does A&W Root Beer or Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon) have more caffeine? Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon): 11mg per 12 oz can versus 0mg per 12 oz can for A&W Root Beer.
Which is stronger per ounce? Brisk Iced Tea (Lemon), at about 0.9mg per fluid ounce versus 0.0mg for A&W Root Beer.
Comparing caffeine? The caffeine comparison tool puts hundreds of drinks side by side, and the caffeine curfew calculator can check your cutoff time for tonight.