Root Beer

[hassettbrew]

Hello folks
does anyone have a recipe for root beer, the wife being an american is always looking for good root beer which she cannot get here
any ideas ?

[irish_goat]

What's rated as a good root beer brand? Had my first bottle in Boojum the other day of Bundaberg root beer but I thought it was ok just. Probably wouldn't buy it again but I'd try other brands if there's better out there. 

[LordEoin]

Try this one: http://wellnessmama.com/11392/homemade-root-beer/
I've not made it, but the same author's ginger ale is very good.

[mr hoppy]

If anyone knows where to  get sassafras or wintergreen I'd be interested. Don't think they are available here.

[Will_D]

There was a documentary on the BBC (maybe) about the last traditional temperance bar in the UK. I think its in Yorkshire and he still makes root beer and sasparilla etc from the real ingredirnts - so they are available, however you may need to grow them youself.

Dandelion and Burdock was a great favourite in the old days. Dandelions are every where and so is burdock but who knows what it looks like!

[hassettbrew]

Found sarsparilla and sassafrass in the UK here: http://www.starchild.co.uk/products/6564_3603_sassafras-root.aspx
No wintergreen...

[hassettbrew]

Wintergreen seeds - grow your own! http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetable+Seeds/James+Wong+Homegrown+Revolution+Seeds/Wintergreen+Seeds_147055.htm

[Keg]

Try this one: http://wellnessmama.com/11392/homemade-root-beer/
I've not made it, but the same author's ginger ale is very good.

+1 on the ginger ale

[mr hoppy]

Dandelion and Burdock was a great favourite in the old days. Dandelions are every where and so is burdock but who knows what it looks like!

Good tip!

I tried the recipe on this post with dried dandelion and burdock root from a health food shop. Never realised but it's quite tasty and sort of root beerish tasting. Will be experimenting further.

https://summerfruitcup.wordpress.com/tag/dandelion-and-burdock-recipe/

[BrewCity]

I ordered all the ingredients from Amazon. Might need to ship them to Parcel Motel, as for some reason food never seems to ship to Ireland.

I tried 2 versions:
1. Boiled / steeped ingredients, cooled, force carbed
2. Used John Bull Porter kit and incorporated root beer ingredients

I wasn't thrilled with either. I recently read about using Ginger Bug, which is the traditional method. It also is supposed to be a probiotic, so hey why not. I might give it a go. One tip, it's the Wintergreen leaves that give it that medicinal taste that Irish people seem to hate, so go easy. Use them at flame out, and don't go crazy because the flavor is quite strong.