Reign Storm has more caffeine than Barq's root beer: 200mg vs 22mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 178mg 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.
Barq's root beer vs Reign Storm: the numbers
| Barq's root beer | Reign Storm | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 22mg per 12 oz can | 200mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 1.8mg | 16.7mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 18.2 | 2.0 |
Sources: Barq's root beer's figure is verified in our Barq's root beer caffeine guide against Coca-Cola brand data (source); Reign Storm's figure is verified in our Reign Storm guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Reign Storm packs roughly 9 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 Barq's root beer when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Reign Storm 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
- Barq's root beer: the full caffeine guide
- Reign Storm: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Barq's root beer or Reign Storm have more caffeine? Reign Storm: 200mg per 12 oz can versus 22mg per 12 oz can for Barq's root beer.
Which is stronger per ounce? Reign Storm, at about 16.7mg per fluid ounce versus 1.8mg for Barq's 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.