A&W has been serving their healthy, caffeine-free, great-tasting root beer for more than three-quarters of a century, and the Great Root Bear has been their mascot for nearly as long. He usually is attired in A&W's trademark colors of orange and brown.

On special occasions, the Great Root Bear even comes to life when store owners dress in the bear's costume to greet visitors, and to offer their traditional free mug of root beer to children under five.