SToK Extra Bold cold brew has more caffeine than Barq's root beer: 170mg vs 22mg in the same 12 oz serving. That is a 148mg 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 SToK Extra Bold cold brew: the numbers
| Barq's root beer | SToK Extra Bold cold brew | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 22mg per 12 oz can | 170mg per 12 oz serving |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 1.8mg | 14.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 18.2 | 2.4 |
Sources: Barq's root beer's figure is verified in our Barq's root beer caffeine guide against Coca-Cola brand data (source); SToK Extra Bold cold brew's figure is verified in our SToK Extra Bold cold brew guide against SToK FAQ (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: SToK Extra Bold cold brew packs roughly 8 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 12 oz serving 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 SToK Extra Bold cold brew 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
- SToK Extra Bold cold brew: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Barq's root beer or SToK Extra Bold cold brew have more caffeine? SToK Extra Bold cold brew: 170mg per 12 oz serving versus 22mg per 12 oz can for Barq's root beer.
Which is stronger per ounce? SToK Extra Bold cold brew, at about 14.2mg 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.