The root beer that we know now happens to be the very first soda drink ever introduced in America. It was during the 1800s or what we know as the Colonial times that the first root beer was born, at that time the root beer was more popularly known as small beer. Small beer was aptly named because this beverage contained only a very small amount of alcohol or maybe even none, it's mainly made of roots, barks and herbs.
The First Commercially Manufactured Root Beer
Unfortunately, the details of how this all-American drink came to be got lost in history. However some people were able to pass on a few stories about how a Philadelphia pharmacist named Charles Hires created the first commercially produced root beer. One of the stories mentioned that this new brew of more than two dozens of roots, berries and herbs was born on Charles' honeymoon night, probably being inspired from all the excitement of a new love.
It was also said that the dry form of this new brew became available in his Pharmaceutical Shop when he and his new wife returned to his hometown in Philadelphia. Not long after, he started to work on using flavored carbonated soda water to come up with the liquid version of the tea.
The people that Mr. Hires gave his drink to loved the taste so much that he decided to introduce it commercially at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, where it was very well received. Finally in 1893 the Hires Family sold and distributed the first bottled root beer.
What Makes Root Beer Taste So Unique
There is no hard-fast rule in brewing root beer, in fact most of the modern manufacturers don't use any of the original roots and herbs used in the 1800s brew. Most of the root beer available these days use artificial flavors instead of natural ingredients, they also substituted molasses, honey or sugar with the cheaper and easier to find syrups. However, some of the basic ingredients like wintergreen, sarsaparilla, pipsissewa, ginger root,dandelion root, allspice, burdock root, spikenard, wild cherry bark, spice wood, and birch bark have been retained to give the root beer its basic flavor. The manufacturer then introduces their own special ingredient to give the root beer the taste that's specific to their brand.
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.
The root beer's historical imprint in our country cannot be forgotten and its popularity has continued for centuries. Its not unusual to see people enjoying a cool glass of root beer on a hot day, the best part of being able to enjoy its great taste is there are now more varieties to choose from.
The First Commercially Manufactured Root Beer
Unfortunately, the details of how this all-American drink came to be got lost in history. However some people were able to pass on a few stories about how a Philadelphia pharmacist named Charles Hires created the first commercially produced root beer. One of the stories mentioned that this new brew of more than two dozens of roots, berries and herbs was born on Charles' honeymoon night, probably being inspired from all the excitement of a new love.
It was also said that the dry form of this new brew became available in his Pharmaceutical Shop when he and his new wife returned to his hometown in Philadelphia. Not long after, he started to work on using flavored carbonated soda water to come up with the liquid version of the tea.
The people that Mr. Hires gave his drink to loved the taste so much that he decided to introduce it commercially at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, where it was very well received. Finally in 1893 the Hires Family sold and distributed the first bottled root beer.
What Makes Root Beer Taste So Unique
There is no hard-fast rule in brewing root beer, in fact most of the modern manufacturers don't use any of the original roots and herbs used in the 1800s brew. Most of the root beer available these days use artificial flavors instead of natural ingredients, they also substituted molasses, honey or sugar with the cheaper and easier to find syrups. However, some of the basic ingredients like wintergreen, sarsaparilla, pipsissewa, ginger root,dandelion root, allspice, burdock root, spikenard, wild cherry bark, spice wood, and birch bark have been retained to give the root beer its basic flavor. The manufacturer then introduces their own special ingredient to give the root beer the taste that's specific to their brand.
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.
The root beer's historical imprint in our country cannot be forgotten and its popularity has continued for centuries. Its not unusual to see people enjoying a cool glass of root beer on a hot day, the best part of being able to enjoy its great taste is there are now more varieties to choose from.
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