My take on the history of A & W Root Beer. From Roadside Stand to American Icon: The History of A&W Root Beer How a frosty mug of root beer became a national treasure. When you think of A&W Root Beer, what comes to mind? The rich, creamy fizz. The chilled glass mug. Maybe a nostalgic memory of a drive-in on a summer night. But long before A&W became a household name, it was just one man and a dream — and a very, very good recipe. It All Started in 1919 🍺 In the sweltering summer of 1919, Roy W.