Making Your Own Root Beer

The great thing about brewing root beer at home is that anyone can do it. In fact it's an amazingly uncomplicated process.

Root beer is simply water that has been sweetened, flavored and carbonated. The main manufacturers, like Hires or A&W, have streamlined the combining process and have added some other ingredients to preserve and protect their drinks, but they all share the same basic ingredients. You can combine these ingredients at home to produce nearly the same drink.

All you need is a measuring cup, a container large enough to mix everything in (12 cups or larger), a mixing spoon, and something to bottle up all this root beer you're about to make. You will also need one packet of yeast, warm water, 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) of root beer extract and two cups of sugar or sweetener.

Root beer, like other soft drinks, is created and packaged in a basic six-step process.

First, water is super-purified and filtered (or you may use filtered, unclorinated bottled water).

Second, a syrup base is created from using flavorings, sweeteners, colorings, etc., and added to the water.

Third, carbon dioxide is added.

Fourth, the liquid is transferred to individual bottles or cans and immediately sealed.

Fifth, the bottles are stored at room temperature away from the sun or areas of high heat and allowed to ferment naturally.

Finally, labels are added to personalize your own micro-brewery.