Virgil's vs Zevia:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Virgil's had more branded searches than Zevia among root beer brands in the United States. Virgil's had about 4,400 branded searches, while Zevia had 1,300. Virgil's made up 2.5% of all root beer brand searches we track, and Zevia accounted for 0.74%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about root beer brands, Virgil's appeared in two of the five answers and Zevia in one. Virgil's was mentioned before Zevia in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Virgil's, about 3 searches for every 1 for Zevia
Who does AI mention more?
Virgil's, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Zevia in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Virgil's, named ahead of Zevia in 2 of 2 answers
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Top root beer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Virgil's was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Zevia was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Virgil's was listed before Zevia in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Barq's1st- A&W Root Beer2nd
Mug Root Beer3rd
Sprecher4th
Stewart's4th
IBC Root Beer6th
Dad's Root Beer7th
Virgil's7th
OLIPOP9th
Zevia10th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sprecher4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Barq's3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- A&W Root Beer3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Mug Root Beer3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
IBC Root Beer3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Stewart's2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Virgil's2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Dad's Root Beer1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
OLIPOP1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Zevia1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about root beer brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which root beer should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best root beer brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best craft root beer?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“root beer brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best root beer”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 25, 2026.
Is Virgil's or Zevia more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Virgil's and Zevia by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten root beer brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Virgil's, Zevia. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Barq's | A&W Root Beer | Mug Root Beer | Sprecher | IBC Root Beer | Dad's Root Beer | Stewart's | Virgil's | OLIPOP | Zevia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 26.7% | 26.7% | 14.6% | 8% | 8% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.66% |
| Nov 2025 | 26.9% | 26.9% | 14.8% | 8% | 8% | 5.4% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.66% |
| Dec 2025 | 25.7% | 25.7% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 1.8% | 0.64% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.9% | 30.4% | 13.6% | 9.1% | 7.4% | 5% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 0.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.1% | 34.5% | 12.7% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.74% |
| Mar 2026 | 20.4% | 45.3% | 9.1% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 0.54% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.1% | 30.6% | 13.7% | 9.2% | 7.5% | 5% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.66% |
| May 2026 | 23.7% | 28.9% | 13% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 0.62% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.4% | 27.4% | 12.3% | 10.1% | 6.7% | 12.3% | 4.5% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 0.59% |
| Jul 2026 | 25.4% | 25.4% | 13.9% | 11.4% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.67% |
| Aug 2026 | 25.7% | 25.7% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.68% |
| Sep 2026 | 28.3% | 23.2% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 8.5% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 0.74% |
How has the Virgil's and Zevia comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Virgil's was ahead of Zevia in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Virgil's’ share of searches among root beer brands in the United States moved from 2.9% to 2.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zevia’s share of searches among root beer brands in the United States moved from 0.66% to 0.74%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for United States root beer brands in September 2026?
1 change

Estimated monthly branded searches for Zevia in the United States rose 30% over 12 measured months, from 1K to 1.3K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Virgil's’ and Zevia’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among root beer brands

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