Root Beer has been around a long time, and is one of the first sodas in America, even pre-dating colas. The first root beers were made during Colonial times and were actually known as Small Beers. These small beers were simply local brews made from herbs, roots and barks, with very low or no alcohol content; hence the name. Some of these small beers included birch beer, sarsaparilla beer, ginger beer, and of course, root beer.
Root Beer's Debut Into Commercial Production
Charles Hires, a Philadelphia, PA pharmacist, is credited with making the first root beer to be sold commercially in America. Unfortunately, the way it all came to be is largely lost to history. One of the most popular stories though is that one day, on his honeymoon; Mr. Hires developed a tea using over twenty-five different herbs, berries and roots.
When he and his new bride returned to Philadelphia, Mr. Hires began selling his new discovery in its dry form in his pharmaceutical shop. He then began working on a liquid form of the tea that he ended up using to flavor carbonated soda water.
Mr. Hires started to go around to get people to taste his new brew, the very favorable response he received encouraged him to include the root beer in the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. After several more years, seventeen to be exact, of perfecting its taste, Charles and his family finally decided to bottle the brew and sell the first ever commercially manufactured root beer.
What's Goes Into the Root Beer Brew
If you think that there's a secret formula somewhere on how to make root beer, you are wrong. Each brewer of the now modernized root beer has their own special brew but most rely on the same basic ingredients that have been passed on over the years. They have their own measurement for the each of the following; sarsaparilla, wintergreen, ginger root, birch bark, burdock root, allspice, pipsissewa, dandelion root, spikenard, wild cherry bark, and spice wood. They also use different sweeteners the most common ones are molasses, honey and of course sugar.
Today, depending on the Root Beer you choose, you may find that these herbs arent used much and that the root beer taste of your beverage comes from artificial flavors and syrups. However, thanks to the micro-brewery movement, small batch Root Beers are coming back into style, and many areas of the country have their own locally made root beers once more. These often do rely on the unique flavors imparted by these herbs and roots and either honey or sugar, as opposed to artificial flavorings and sweeteners.
Root beer has become so popular that you see them almost everywhere being enjoyed by people of all ages. More and more brands of this popular drink are now available in virtually any grocery store. Its quite a pleasant surprise to know it has a rich historical background that can be a source of pride for all Americans.
Root Beer's Debut Into Commercial Production
Charles Hires, a Philadelphia, PA pharmacist, is credited with making the first root beer to be sold commercially in America. Unfortunately, the way it all came to be is largely lost to history. One of the most popular stories though is that one day, on his honeymoon; Mr. Hires developed a tea using over twenty-five different herbs, berries and roots.
When he and his new bride returned to Philadelphia, Mr. Hires began selling his new discovery in its dry form in his pharmaceutical shop. He then began working on a liquid form of the tea that he ended up using to flavor carbonated soda water.
Mr. Hires started to go around to get people to taste his new brew, the very favorable response he received encouraged him to include the root beer in the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. After several more years, seventeen to be exact, of perfecting its taste, Charles and his family finally decided to bottle the brew and sell the first ever commercially manufactured root beer.
What's Goes Into the Root Beer Brew
If you think that there's a secret formula somewhere on how to make root beer, you are wrong. Each brewer of the now modernized root beer has their own special brew but most rely on the same basic ingredients that have been passed on over the years. They have their own measurement for the each of the following; sarsaparilla, wintergreen, ginger root, birch bark, burdock root, allspice, pipsissewa, dandelion root, spikenard, wild cherry bark, and spice wood. They also use different sweeteners the most common ones are molasses, honey and of course sugar.
Today, depending on the Root Beer you choose, you may find that these herbs arent used much and that the root beer taste of your beverage comes from artificial flavors and syrups. However, thanks to the micro-brewery movement, small batch Root Beers are coming back into style, and many areas of the country have their own locally made root beers once more. These often do rely on the unique flavors imparted by these herbs and roots and either honey or sugar, as opposed to artificial flavorings and sweeteners.
Root beer has become so popular that you see them almost everywhere being enjoyed by people of all ages. More and more brands of this popular drink are now available in virtually any grocery store. Its quite a pleasant surprise to know it has a rich historical background that can be a source of pride for all Americans.
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